Crinkly tin

[vicky whitworth]

Hello again, we have a range of outbuildings that are roofed in a fibre version of corraugated (?) iron - crinkly tin is easier to spell. Anyway it's starting to rot and fall to pieces and I would like to think about re-roofing in the real thing. Where do you buy crinkly tin? Would a builders' merchant sell it?
Thank you.

 

[robgil]

When you say fibre you don't mean asbestos do you?

 

[vicky whitworth]

No, I'm pretty sure it isn't asbestos. I think it was done in about 1990, and is like a felted board type stuff. Looks like crinkly tin from a distance but it absorbs the water and so doesn't last very long. No my choice to have it. Done by previous owner.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Yes - builders merchant or an agricutural merchant.

Maybe try Mole Valley Farmers in Yeovil or Cullompton>

 

[MdB]

Does it look like these?:
http://www.google.com/images?q=asbestos+cement+roof

If so, don't panic too much, this type of asbestos is the easiest to deal with and is free for you to take to the dump. Loads of people still have this type of roof (including me) so it is a common thing to have to deal with. Read up first though on how to remove, wrap in plastic and transport safely. If you get someone in to remove it for you then it will cost ££.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Now you've got me worried. But what we have is a sort of red colour. I think I'll ask my builder what he thinks it is. Presumably it's OK if we just leave it where it is for the time being? We have it on a wooden shed roof too - well actually it's my office roof. Eeek!

 

[MdB]

Now you've got me worried. But what we have is a sort of red colour. I think I'll ask my builder what he thinks it is. Presumably it's OK if we just leave it where it is for the time being? We have it on a wooden shed roof too - well actually it's my office roof. Eeek!

First off don't worry. If it is the asbestos then the solution is along the lines of spray with water, remove whilst wearing mask, wrap in plastic, take to dump (but read the guidelines first). Many people just remove and take to dump but this isn't recommended. The asbestos is encased in cement so it is very much the least dangerous type to deal with and was used up until not very long ago. Lots of people have it still and there isn't a problem leaving it where it is until you have time to deal with it. Disturbing it is the issue so check what the recommended method is. Getting somebody in to deal with it is very much not recommended as they have to pay to take it to the dump (something like £400 if I remember correctly - could be wrong) so this is passed on to you (with mark up).

 

[michael]

Wicks do a fairly cheap range of bitumenised corrugated sheet and ridge pieces which I believe are pretty good. At least it’s not as noisy as the tin stuff when it rains.
I’m thinking of using it on my beach hut.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz/wickes/resources/images/gil/44.pdf

 

[Feltwell]

Wicks do a fairly cheap range of bitumenised corrugated sheet and ridge pieces which I believe are pretty good. At least it’s not as noisy as the tin stuff when it rains.
I’m thinking of using it on my beach hut.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz/wickes/resources/images/gil/44.pdf

They work fine, I used them on a shed at a previous house. Ariel Coroline is the brand that most places sell. With eaves fillers round the edge, and 1" of Jablite (expanded polystyrene sheet flooring insulation - not as good as but much cheaper than Kingspan foam type) underneath the shed was noticeably warmer in winter and cooler in summer than another shed I had with the same roof but without any insulation.

The roofing sheets are reasnobly light and not too bad to cut, use an old handsaw - it will get covered in bitumen and be fairly useless afterwards.

However - it also fades, my black sheets were a mid-grey colour after 3 years. It's also quite "floppy" across the corrugations - be very careful to make sure it's well fixed down, especially on a beach hut over the gable ends - if wind gets under it then it will tear quite easily. Also bear in mind that it won't be "chav-proof" - if some little darling wanted to, they could make a hole in your beach hut roof without too much difficulty.

Finally, the "official" fixings were very expensive and used ring shank nails. Far better I reckon to use screws, and buying the fixings aftermarket meant at the time they were much cheaper.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/21886...rrugated-PVC-40mm-Screw-And-Washer-Pack-of-20

 

[worms]

I'd agree with everything that Feltwell says, but really emphasise the need to lay it on a firm surface - a sheet of OSB or similar, rather than on battens - otherwise it will sag.

Its cheap and cheerful, easily available and can be rolled to fit in the car. Watch out for the bitumen which adheres firmly to saw blades, knives etc - and to the car seats, if you don't wrap the sheets in an old blanket.

Having said all that, it isn't a patch on proper "wriggly tin".

 

[Feltwell]

I'd agree with everything that Feltwell says, but really emphasise the need to lay it on a firm surface - a sheet of OSB or similar, rather than on battens - otherwise it will sag.

I agree mounting on sterling board (OSB) or ply is better, especially for somewhere exposed like a beach hut, but I think it's OK on battens provided you use enough and fix securely. My shed was fairly large, about 16' x 12' - I made up roof trusses myself and put battens across them, much the same as you do for roof tiles, just not as many battens! It was fine for the 6 years we were there.