Roofers / leak / pulling my hair out

Roofers / leak / pulling my hair out

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PostHeads123

Original Poster:

1,170 posts

150 months

Yesterday (11:10)
quotequote all
I had a leak so a flat roof was replaced last year in May, it still leaked, firm has been out 4 times now still not resolved it, they suggested not the new roof but a parapet wall. I have broken the ceiling under the roof to see where leak coming from. When I have suggested spraying the hose up there to the roofers who did the new flat roof they ignored my request.

Based on what the original roofers said I got a builder in as I was just going to get the parapet rebuilt from scratch, they took a hose up there we sprayed around, no leak from the coping or parapet but if we sprayed area of roof the leak appeared. They are saying they are happy to rebuild the parapet but they believe my issue is the new roof itself.

I'm reluctant to get the original roofers out for a 5th time so called other roofers, those who have come have give off the vibe they don't want to touch anyone else work, they say they will quote I wait for quote and nothing, I call then ignore, they dont want the work or touch it,

If any roofers on here what you advice or any roofers here in the Hertfordshire area who could help me out ?

Its getting to the point I might have to just get scaffold myself to get up there and see what I can do, its not out of choice though.

thanks

Edited by PostHeads123 on Thursday 10th July 11:14

wolfracesonic

8,210 posts

142 months

Yesterday (11:27)
quotequote all
Can you post a pic of the problem areas? Impossible fault find from afar but you may get some pointers.

Simon_GH

717 posts

95 months

Yesterday (11:42)
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Do you know what the finishing material is on the flat roof eg butyl rubber?

PostHeads123

Original Poster:

1,170 posts

150 months

Yesterday (12:16)
quotequote all
Simon_GH said:
Do you know what the finishing material is on the flat roof eg butyl rubber?
Its felt, I cant upload the pictures but originally I posted in Jan when thought it was parapet / coping and I uploaded pictures there link here, the second picture where they show rebedding of copping before they put the felt over, the builders think the leak coming from there, the corner bit where it meets roof.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I thought it was the parapet and coping so I got builders in, but they are the only ones who sprayed a hose around up there and thought it was more likely the roof than wall / coping, though that does need tiding up. I didnt use cheapo traders they were recommended, though the roofers seem to sub out the work. I would be happy to pay someone else to look / redo but no one in my area seems to want to touch it, just go quiet on me, until I finally give up.

thanks

Chumley.mouse

694 posts

52 months

Yesterday (12:20)
quotequote all
Never understood that term “ don’t want to touch someone else’s work “ ? Everything is someone else’s work, it’s just some had been done longer than others.

Sounds like a nightmare, I’ve been there with tradesmen years ago.

Do it yourself and do it properly.

PostHeads123

Original Poster:

1,170 posts

150 months

Yesterday (12:48)
quotequote all
Chumley.mouse said:
Never understood that term don t want to touch someone else s work ? Everything is someone else s work, it s just some had been done longer than others.

Sounds like a nightmare, I ve been there with tradesmen years ago.

Do it yourself and do it properly.
This is what Im starting to think I will have to do is get scaffold up and try things myself, but Im not good with heights. What I hate with the trades and I seems to get this with roofer in my area, is how they ignore you after the come around to quote, if you don't want to touch it don't get my hopes up by saying you will 'email quote and then go quiet on me'. I always give them a week to 10 days before I chase the quote, but 99% of the time if I dont chase and haven't got a quote within a week, I never hear from them again.


Mark Turmell

695 posts

27 months

Yesterday (12:59)
quotequote all
What area is the property? You might get a recommendation from someone on here.

We had a leak on one of our rentals, it turned out to be a coping stone, but you wouldn't believe how far away these leaks can track along.

I think we had the builders out maybe 10 times, their roofers, their other roofers, some other random roofers eventually tracked it to a balcony around the far side of the building.

It took 18 months, 3 sets of tenants, several enforcement notices from the local authority, not to mention the damage caused etc.

I was overjoyed when a new leak appeared in one of the other flats, also down to a coping stone but much easier to track down with all the previous palaver.


PostHeads123

Original Poster:

1,170 posts

150 months

Yesterday (13:13)
quotequote all
Mark Turmell said:
What area is the property? You might get a recommendation from someone on here.

We had a leak on one of our rentals, it turned out to be a coping stone, but you wouldn't believe how far away these leaks can track along.

I think we had the builders out maybe 10 times, their roofers, their other roofers, some other random roofers eventually tracked it to a balcony around the far side of the building.

It took 18 months, 3 sets of tenants, several enforcement notices from the local authority, not to mention the damage caused etc.

I was overjoyed when a new leak appeared in one of the other flats, also down to a coping stone but much easier to track down with all the previous palaver.
I'm in Hertfordshire close to junction 17.

Yeah this been going on now since May last year, just want to get it fixed before the weather turns. Its not even of a case of me not being willing to pay, I pay well and pay quickly, I appreciate jobs might not go right first time, I'm far from being a nightmare customer.

Aluminati

2,901 posts

73 months

Yesterday (17:59)
quotequote all
Region of Herts ?

Current access ?

I may be able to get over and give you a solid diagnosis, there will be no cost involved. If it’s something stupid, probs fix it while I’m there with the odds n sods i keep in the boot. ( 40 years in the Roofing industry)

DM if it’s easier and we’ll try and get you sorted.

Chumley.mouse

694 posts

52 months

Yesterday (18:03)
quotequote all
Aluminati said:
Region of Herts ?

Current access ?

I may be able to get over and give you a solid diagnosis, there will be no cost involved. If it s something stupid, probs fix it while I m there with the odds n sods i keep in the boot. ( 40 years in the Roofing industry)

DM if it s easier and we ll try and get you sorted.
Top man bounce

PhilboSE

5,168 posts

241 months

Yesterday (21:30)
quotequote all
I’ve got 2 parapet walls on different properties - had problems with both. Coping details are usually bodged; mortar between coping stones cracks with seasonal movement and lets water in. Unless there’s additional prevention for ingress, you can get persistent leaks that can track a long way from the root cause.

TGCOTF-dewey

6,513 posts

70 months

Yesterday (21:34)
quotequote all
Chumley.mouse said:
Aluminati said:
Region of Herts ?

Current access ?

I may be able to get over and give you a solid diagnosis, there will be no cost involved. If it s something stupid, probs fix it while I m there with the odds n sods i keep in the boot. ( 40 years in the Roofing industry)

DM if it s easier and we ll try and get you sorted.
Top man bounce
Agreed what a kind offer!

PhilboSE

5,168 posts

241 months

Yesterday (21:38)
quotequote all
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Chumley.mouse said:
Aluminati said:
Region of Herts ?

Current access ?

I may be able to get over and give you a solid diagnosis, there will be no cost involved. If it s something stupid, probs fix it while I m there with the odds n sods i keep in the boot. ( 40 years in the Roofing industry)

DM if it s easier and we ll try and get you sorted.
Top man bounce
Agreed what a kind offer!
+1