If you’re regularly having problems with loose or missing roof tiles, it could be a sign that your roof is suffering with nail sickness.
Nail sickness is a term used to describe the natural deterioration of the nails that hold your roof tiles in place. Over a long period, it is natural for nails to corrode and rust. Unfortunately, if all your roof tiles were attached at the same time you will find that all the nails begin to deteriorate at a similar time too.
Nail sickness is more common in older properties with very old nails, particularly because the nails used in older buildings were generally of a poorer quality than those used today.
If you suspect that your roof may be suffering with nail sickness, it’s important to call in an expert immediately and not leave the problem to worsen. Falling and missing roof tiles are not only a safety hazard, they could also cause significant damage to your property by letting in rain, which will cause damp and structural damage over time.
Repairing a nail sick roof
A professional roofing contractor will be able to inspect the condition of your roof and advise you on the extent of the damage. In some cases, it may only be a small section of the roof that is affected, in which case repairs can be carried out to this section only. Generally, though, nail sickness will affect the entire roof, in which case you have a couple of options for fixing the problem.
Strip and re-slate the roof–Your first option is to have your entire roof replaced by stripping and re-slating it. The price of a new roof will vary depending on several factors including the size of your roof and the materials used, but it is generally an extensive job which can be very expensive.
Apply spray foam to the underside of the roof– An affordable alternative to re-roofing is to have spray foam applied to the underside of your roof. Spray foam will bond your roof tiles to each other and to your roof’s structural timber to cure nail sickness. It also provides your roof with excellent weather-resistance and thermal insulation.
For more information about our spray foamor to book a free consultation, give our team a call on 0800 028 4042.