Will neighbours new roof cause mine to leak?

[Dr C]

Hi,

We live in an old Victorian terrace from about 1870, the roof is mainly original with slates but no underfelt. At some point someone has put mortar under the tiles (not sure if this is usual). There were a few gaps with daylight showing here and there but mainly fine, especially on the joins with the adjoining houses. We have no leaks

Our next door have decided to re-roof their house which had the same roof setup as ours, but they are now using modern fibre slate and a membrane.

After going up into the loft to check our side, I noticed that we now have loads of light coming in on the join with next door (see pics) whereas before there was no light at all. from the outside it looks like they have interlocked our tiles with their new ones but looks like the tiles are now being pushed upwards.

The big question is this an issue? should the roof be like that and should we be worried about water coming in? The workmen are still here but we dont want to cause a fuss over nothing

Any thoughts much appreciated

 

[datarebal]

Take an outsude picture
Looks unfinished at that point

 

[Dr C]

The pic isnt great as hard to get a good angle but the neighbouring roof is tiled and they have just got the ridge left to do now. From what research we have done we had expected some felting or a dry bonding gutter but thought that would have been the first thing to go on not done last?

what isnt clear on the picture is that the whole roof on the left is at least 10mm lower than our side so the two arent flush
thanks

 

[datarebal]

To be honest, yours need attention. Maybe it was caused by them maybe not. you have slates cocked up badly these could let in.
The roof is quite a low pitch i'm guessing that is why the under side has been torched (mortar on the batten and back of slate)
It looks like the join is further over your neighbours side maybe a bonding gutter has been used , hence the upsweep.
but a bonding gutter is only one way to weather the join.. speak to your neighbour or the roofers

 

[noseall]

The pic isnt great

Looks like it was taken by a sparrow.

 

[Dr C]

I mentioned it to my neighbour and he was fine about it plus let me go up and have a look (see pic) going to have a word with the contractor today

 

[HERTS P&D]

Don't let the scaffolding come down until it is sorted.

Andy

 

[Alastairreid]

Tell him to get rid of the cement fibre slates he has used on your roof and use the proper slates.

 

[datarebal]

Its a lash up, There is no need for it to be such a mess.
You have a roof of good natural slate. As Alastair Rightly says, remove the inferior cement fibre slates from yours.
Make the join in a proper manner. It looks like they have just sailed your slate over the new cement fibres.
There is a choice of bonding gutter system in GRP or fabricated in lead as individual soakers.
If they say it cant be done then they are talking twaddle , it can
And for what its worth your neighbours slate halves are not pinned with cdrs. ..and yes they can be.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

As above- your slates look in quite good nick, that 'joint' is a massive bodge that needs redoing properly before the 'roofers' leave site. Bonding gutter is the obvious solution, they'll have to strip half the new roof to fit it but thats their problem. As it is you'll get wind noise & rain prnetration guaranteed

 

[catlad]

I don't think they have a clue what they are doing, so no point even talking to them. I'll bet my life your roof lasts longer than theirs. Wait till the morons have left then employ a traditional slate roofer to make the best of it is my advise.

 

[Dr C]

Thanks for the advice all. We got an assurance that any leaks would be fixed but nothing more, and aesthetically it will still look out of place. We will be paying to have it sorted properly when we eventually re-roof ourselves (in proper slate)

 

[datarebal]

You have a decent slate already.
I would certainly consider reusing when you re roof

 

[catlad]

As Data: your slates have another century in them, Your neighbours have been mugged if they had the same slates as yours.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Keep a very close eye on that 'joint' in any sort of weather (rain or wind and rain). Its a massive weak spot if you get high winds & really needs sorting properly. The bodgers who did the neighbours roof would probably chuck either flashband or mortar at it, don't let them do either.