Felt under tiled roof in not the best condition before solar panels installation

tandcapply · 02-05-2023 11:20AM #1

Hi,

I Have been advised by my plumper that the felt under the roof tiles is ripped in a few places(he saw that while in the attic from inside).

It's an old house.

He said that it's best to have it sorted out by removing the tiles and putting new felt.

I've no apparent leaks and paid deposit for solar installation and have no roofer to do this work.

He estimated this could cost in the region of 5k to get this done now and not feasible to do after solar panels are installed.

Did anyone else face the same dilemma of just getting the panels installed or postpone and this (completely unwanted) work done?

DC999 · 02-05-2023 01:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058294876/tiled-roof-in-not-the-best-condition-before-solar-panels-installation

Boiling it down, you’re asking is it ok to have a roof that has ripped felt under the tiles. I’ve no idea.

But I wouldn’t spend 5k to replace it. Spend the 5k on solar instead! House insurance will cover leaks if the worst happens.

I’ve an 80 year old ex council house in Dublin. 1000s of them of the exact same type. And whatever purpose that 80 year old felt had at the time, I can’t imagine it does anything now. I expect mine is the same as yours. Fair play to the plumber for flagging it, good he said what he spotted.

Might be best to post this one in the relevant thread here (asking is it ok to have a roof that has ripped felt under the tiles): Home & Garden — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'

If you do need to take off the whole roof, then that’s the same for every home that is over X years. I’ve never known someone to need that tbh. You see the occasional house that has all new roof tiles, but that’s very rare in Dublin anyway and usually at the time of a large renovation. They would do the felt at the same time I’m sure.

Just thought of another option. Call solar crowd and ask their view. They work on roofs all day every day. They won't be qualified roofers, but closer than you and I are to it.

tandcapply · 02-05-2023 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120546543#Comment_120546543

Thanks @DC999, I'm currently getting quotes and will talk to the solar installers soon.

It's just so that I can have ball park figures if and when they also quote me.

Will post in that boards discussion above

slave1 · 02-05-2023 03:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120546543#Comment_120546543

Home Insurance does not cover losses due to either wear or tear on the fabric of the home or lack of upkeep on behalf of the home owner

Hellrazer · 08-05-2023 10:06PM

My felt was the same 40+ year old house. I patched it from the inside before the install.

You should have felt over lapping in sections. Buy a roll of felt , cut it to the same width and then slide it into the overlap below the torn section making sure its long enough to cover the rips. Basically what youre doing is making sure any run off that gets past the tiles runs on to the felt and into the gutters.

Ill try get pics next time Im in the attic.

DC999 · 08-05-2023 10:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120572797#Comment_120572797

Gas, I never knew what it was for. Thought it was to reduce breeze. Thanks for explaining

Hellrazer · 09-05-2023 09:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120572868#Comment_120572868

It is breathable alright but thats to stop the rafters rotting. Roofs need air circulation to stop mould growing and rot. In some older houses there wasnt even felt fitted and as long as the tiles were in good condition there were never any leaks.

The felt is more of a secondary barrier for water to run off.

cobham · 09-05-2023 09:39AM

Make sure anyone on roof uses roof ladders. Felt does degrade/go brittle over time but real problem is in tiles walked on and battons under break and put pressure on felt under. We had 'patch job' done on ours.

Felt under tiled roof in not the best condition before solar panels installation

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