Our house is in the process of being built and we had very expensive, non-standard roof tiles installed. Due to faulty installation, the roof already leaks a bit but because of issues between the contractor and the manufacturer, we don't have (reasonable) recourse.

 

We don't have ceilings installed yet so are considering ways to make sure that water doesn't come down in the interior once the ceilings are installed. We thought of attaching aluminum sheets (or rolled aluminum) to the bottom of the rafters so that any drips would be directed outside the house. Or perhaps some other standard roof material, such as sheet metal, polycarbonate, attached to the bottom of the roof rafters.

 

Does anyone have experience with this type of situation? Any ideas. (Tearing off the existing roof and starting over is not an option.)

 

Thank you in advance.

Your contractor cannot fix the "faulty installation" or doesn't want to?  If the latter, if me I wouldn't want to pay him.  I've never seen or heard of patching a leaky roof being successful in the long term.  

51 minutes ago, FarangRimPing said:

we had very expensive, non-standard roof tiles installed.

Due to faulty installation,

Not familiar with such a roof tile ( non-standard) ??   be interested to know what type of roof tile and material to understand what the problem is..

Roof tiles usually only become a problem if not installed correctly when it comes to junctions at boundary walls, hips & valleys.

 

Anyway if they cannot remove the roof the suggestions you put forward is your only action.

What should of happened was a underling material should of been installed before the top tile installation.

 

Personally as post ID 2 said l wouldn't pay the person who installed them and get the manufacturer to get someone who knows what there doing and fix it.

l find it hard to believe a roof tiled roof cannot be corrected, sorry.

Roof off and do it properly is the correct and long term fix.

 

Anything else is in the temporary solution classification and will give problems down the line when your home is occupied and MUCH more difficult to fix.

 

EDIT Custom / non-standard anything is never wise, we had a lightning hit a few years back that blew off a couple of ridge tiles. It was fixed by lunch-time the next day, including buying the (standard) tiles, for a massive 3,000 Baht (including the tiles) .

 

Also, you would have to be very careful installing anything with Aluminium and a sandwich arrangement without checking the fire rating. I'm even worried about the rolled out reflective layer of insulation and aluminium in my shed roof.

Great you don't have the ceiling in yet. If you don't have a foil underlay installed, you should be able to see the leaks, even though water will take the path of least resistance.
Can you see how many leaking areas you have?

You need to try to stay on good terms with the builder, but also get the tile company to come out and see the leaking roof from the inside.


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A couple of useful comments from posters, thanks.

 

We only have one leak now, but we expect to put in expensive ceilings and other things so are thinking ahead and want to prevent future damage and expense. We can fix the cause of the leak we have now but as I mentioned, are worried about the future after the roof is no longer accessible, so would like to have some safety cushion. 

 

We used Shera Zedar Shake, which looks like cedar shakes. I attach a photo of a portion of our roof. The link for Shera follows.

 

http://www.sherasolution.com/en/commercial/products/application/roof-application/series/30133/

 

The contractor had no experience with this and tried to install to the best of his ability. The company came out to the house before the tiles were installed but didn't want to provide much support.

I assume the "rustic" alignment is how they're supposed to be

 

Shera certainly used to have full instructions on their website for this type of product, overlap and (non) alignment of the edges is critical. If you don't have the necessary documents try their website.

 

I suppose your idea of aluminium sheeting (suitably overlapped) attached to the inner edges of the rafters could be a solution.

 

But personally, leaky new roof = Contractor takes it off and does it right, at his expense, if he didn't have the expertise he should not have started the install.

 

Nice looking roof and matching surrounds.

Shera website has one of their catch icons "responsible".
We also know that some Thai contractors say they can do the job when they've never done a similar job before.

I think you need to go up the chain of command of Shera and get one of their experts working with the builder to sort out the problem.

Easy to say, but sometimes difficult.

It's a wonder the installation guideline didn't specify some kind of underlay foil etc to catch any water leaks.

Looks like a beautiful build.





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I have always wondered how those flat tiles could be leak free.

 

The ex bought a house in an upscale village about 5 years ago, which have those white square sized flat tiles, and when it rains she has to open the breaker of the ceiling fan in one room.

 

In the living room they have fixed the ceiling a few times already because of rot.

 

And when I look at the roofs of the other houses in that village then I see they have all had numerous repairs to their roofs.

1 hour ago, FarangRimPing said:

The contractor had no experience with this and tried to install to the best of his ability.

The company came out to the house before the tiles were installed but didn't want to provide much support.

Well ditto there ya go sales hype rubbish.

There just an interlocking flat pan tile and to say they need no sub roof material is wrong full stop, sorry once again. 

 

As noted above, are they installed to something like the installation instructions?

 

I am familiar with those Shera Zedar Shake Roof Tiles as I have spent some time at a beautiful hotel in Buriram called the Hotel de l'amour.  Might be worth your time to fly to Buriram and see how that roof was installed. Shera had technical staff who were willing to come and instruct local builders when I was shopping for flat roof tile. I also considered the sub contractors of CPAC and the sub contractors of Diamond Roof.  There are roofing specialists based in Chiang Mai who have proper cherry pickers to install and repair terracotta roofs. I will agree wholeheartedly with Kwasaki, Carlyai, Crossy, bankruatsteve that the roof should come off and you should consider a sub roof. Viva Board as a sub roof and waterproof membrane is not a huge cost in the long run.  Go higher up the chain of command at Shera and I suspect they will know of more experienced roof installers in your province. 

http://www.sherasolution.com/en/commercial/reference-project/info/437/

Really surprised not to see underlayment, at least felt as a WRB, ...or anything where the shakes overhang into the gutter.

 

" SHERA zedar shake is a roof tile that blends the beauty of a natural wood roof tile with the durability of a product manufactured using the latest technology and high quality materials which gives it strength and prevents shrinkage. It's also termite and shatter resistant and thus has very low maintenance requirements and in addition, because of the Inter-Locking system, there is no need for sub-roof material. SHERA zedar shake prevents leakage in accordance with the ASTM C1530-04 Standard and saves cost, installation time & reduces impact on the environment as fewer materials are required for construction. "

 

OK, if they say so.

 

Is the leak direct (can you see daylight or pinholes of light), or is it capillary action.

Can you post closeup images of the area where the leaks are occurring. (Underside, and topview circled).

Guess you don't need those gutters than.

Rotten humor but had to throw it out there. Sorry!

You are fortunate in 1 respect, it was installed during the raining season. I recently met a guy who had a similar flat tile roof. The entire house was complete before it started raining and discovered the same issues. The general sent a guy out with tubes of silicon, drawing the issue out further.

Agree with above posts; Shera & the general have to step up to the plate to do the job right! You'd think they would consider their reputation. Nice looking roof & I know it wasn't cheap. Good luck to a speedy recovery!

11 hours ago, RichCor said:

OK, if they say so.

Disagree it's not OK their design is flawed when fixed to their spec and anyone wanting this product for their house should know about it.

OP's spent a lot of dosh and has leaks,  not right, not fair. 

Well , I had a new roof on one of the Frachises , being a busybody, my way or the highway type, they did a superb job to the letter. But I forgot to include Roof Insulation spec. Next time I'll STF Up.[emoji85]


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2 minutes ago, Ace of Pop said:

Well , I had a new roof on one of the Frachises , being a busybody, my way or the highway type, they did a superb job to the letter. But I forgot to include Roof Insulation spec. Next time I'll STF Up.

You can still put insulation in a ceiling or install a false ceiling with insulation after. 

You can still put insulation in a ceiling or install a false ceiling with insulation after. 

Yes but the false ceiling is renewed as well with 40 fancy led things. Let em loose up there and I fear more bills..My fault for not being on site.


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Does one need "tar paper" under a shingle roof like that?

24 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Does one need "tar paper" under a shingle roof like that?

Well it leaks so it needs something.  

"My fault for not being on site."
Don't worry mate, we've all done it and have flash-backs and cringe. [emoji21]

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Fixing instructions for those interested.

 

 

http://www.sherasolution.com/uploads/download/16/zedarinstall.pdf

I have never seen the Shera shakes installed but have seen many houses in the US built with true cedar shakes.  ALL had  an under roof of plywood with overlapped sheets of tar paper under the shakes.

If yo go down the route of putting a membrane underneath the existing purlins. the membrane will have to be supported from underneath as if was siting on the original purlins, for it to work ok it will have to be taught other wise it will sag and tear.

 

Spray foam insulation under the tiles would prevent any further leaks and help keep the house cool. However, it is very expensive (around 500-600 Baht/ m² ) last time I looked.