Hole in roof - failed lime-mortar?

[sidblunt]

I'm about to buy a house (3-bed terrace built c.1930)

We're due to exchange in a week's time and we went back today to have a final look around to measure up etc...

I went up in to the loft for the first time and noticed that there's a gap between two of the roof tiles where the lime-mortar seems to have completely come away (the roof is made of asbestos tiles with lime mortar and isn't lined, which is fairly typical of '30s houses). The loft insulation below is damp so it's obviously been letting the weather in.

Our survey mentioned that these types of roofs should be monitored as lime mortar has a shelf-life, but didn't mention a leak so I'm assuming this is a recent development.

I've included an image (not great quality from my phone) below.

Is fixing this going to be easy (just a case of reinstating the lime mortar), or is it a bigger issue that I should be kicking up a stink about before we exchange / complete?

Any advice welcomed!

Untitled

• sidblunt
• 3 Nov 2012
• 1

 

[tony1851]

If the mortar is smeared from the top edge of each tiling batten to the underside of the slates, it is just traditional torching, which was the old method of keeping out wind-driven rain (often the wind blows rain UP the slope and water then finds its way in). This was the method used before felting became customary.
If bits have dropped off, its no big deal; just get some sand/cement mix and mortar the gap up again from inside the roof. It's not worth kicking up a fuss about.

 

[Alastairreid]

Looks like a broken or missing tile.

 

[sidblunt]

Thanks both.

I did wonder if there's a tile missing. The gap is about 5mm which seemed a bit large to be filled by mortar alone.

I'll get it fixed when we move in. Just hope that too much water doesn't come in in the meantime (it's belting it down today).

Any ideas on a ballpark figure to get a roofer to replace/repair a tile / tiles, and would it need a specialist as they're asbestos tiles?

 

[Nige F]

Any ideas on a ballpark figure to get a roofer to replace/repair a tile / tiles, and would it need a specialist as they're asbestos tiles?

Just beware of " roofers " in Sussex If you`re E. sx. I could recomend a couple

 

[sidblunt]

We're near Brighton so if you can recommend anyone near here that'd be useful, thanks.

 

[Nige F]

I`ve sent you a " friend " invite - if you accept , I`ll then send you a personal message Are you Lewes side of Brighton , or Worthing side . Cheers, Nige.