Have A Detached Bungalow Circa Appox 1950

[susanxx]

Have been visited by salesman re:cleaning, sealing, spraying(twice) with colour of choice with breathable coating my roof(concrete tiles I think). Have read some old posts about such a treatment but not very positive comments. Have things improved or is this treatment no good? Price should be £8200 but as its January and traditionally a bit slow I can have it for £4000 cash! Would really love a re-roof but obviously cost at the moment is stumbling block.

[DJHawkes]

was this a cold call or did you make the appointment?

[susanxx]

appointment made after cold call

[buildersmate]

In a couple of years time when the colour fades (probably unevenly) and/or the coating starts to peel, what are you going to do then?

This is not a treatment that any building management organisation would entertain putting on the roofs of their properties.

Even if it claims a 10 year warranty (which you didn't mention whether this even entered the equation) I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.

[CailinDeas]

Read & heard in the media a lot recently of similar "great" offers, which turned out to be scams. Be careful, please be very careful indeed.

[Buenchico]

>>>Price should be £8200 but as its January and traditionally a bit slow I can have it for £4000 cash!

Please, please, please tell me that you're not gullible enough to believe that!!! It's a standard sales ploy, used by double-glazing and 'home improvement' salesmen everywhere; they always quote you a higher price and then just happen to be able to let you have a time-limited special offer at a lower price.

Firstly, I'd distrust any firm which uses such a sales technique. Then I'd ask you to read what you've actually written. In summary it says "I'm thinking of spending £4000 on a product which has poor reviews and which has been offered to me by a salesmen using a questionable sales technique".

Do you REALLY need me to tell you what I think you should do???

[diddlydo]

Don't touch them with a bargepole!

[yogasun]

An absolute no brainer. Have nothing to do with it or you might appear in 'Rogue Traders' or some such programme highlighting scams.

[The Builder]

One other thing, Susan. After the "tradesmen" have walked all over the roof spraying it, You'll be paying your local builder to replace the broken tiles.

I spent some time on one occasion trying to find a serious leak after one of these "treatments".

Concrete tiles may discolour. They attract a bit of moss. One or two of them may even crack under stress. They still stop the water getting in though.

Anyway, on a bungalow, £4,000 would go most of the way to renewing the roof completely if needed, which I'll bet you isn't necessary.

[susanxx]

Thanks for all your comments. I was wary of the guy with his personal reg Jag and Cartier watch, his mis-spelt leaflets and poor website, not to mention his door to door salesman with his offensive 'jokes'.
However, how can I clean off the moss and lichen from the roof and what if anything can be applied to inhibit its return?

[Buenchico]

I rather like seeing moss and lichen on roofs!

The following link is derived from nothing more than a web search but it looks to be of interest:
http://www.copperridge.co.uk/index.htm
(Several people around here have had copper ridges fitted).

[The Builder]

Chris's link is interesting. That's a new one on me.
I must admit, I don't dislike the look of moss on a roof. The only time it can be a big problem is when it grows into leadwork. It can bung up the natural run of the rainwater.
It's pretty straightforward for an experienced roofer to walk on a concrete tiled roof. There is a way of doing it, with or without roof ladders, that doesn't result in broken tiles.
Someone sensible up there for an hour or so with a small trowel is all you need.

[giveup]

So iis it OK just to leave moss on a roof,was looking at mine the other day and wondering.

[susanxx]

Thanks again guys for the info. Reason I am concerned is when I had the survey it reported that it needed cleaning off as it allows build up of water thus not doing the tiles and roof much good. So much for paying for a report that seems utterly useless. I'll just come here and ask any questions in future, it seems I get the most useful and logical answers.