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How to fix cracked roof tile and limit further damage?

ivanptr

Hi, we have a cracked roof tile, and it's causing water damage. 😪

1) What should we do to limit the damage in the roof void, which might be now full of rainwater?

Should we use an industrial fan to dry out the water?

2) Hiring a tiler to replace the damaged roof tile will take time. What should we do to seal the crack in the meantime?

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JacobZ

Hi @ivanptr,

I'm sorry to see that your roof has sprung a leak.

I have a few suggestions that should help to limit the water ingress before you can get a roofer out to fully fix the issue.

I'd suggest you grab a tube of Selleys 290ml Grey Storm Waterproof Gutter And Roof Sealant and plug the hole as best you can. Ensure you only get it on the tiles you will need to replace as it is very sticky stuff.

After this, you can use a tarp draped over the roof to direct water away from the crack. Depending on the size of the roof, you would be best suited getting something as large as possible with eyelets so it can be anchored in place sandbags on the roof with ropes and Heavy Duty Screw in Pegs into the earth.

Please ensure you take extreme caution with any work done on the roof and take all precautions possible including having a spotter and someone to foot the ladder. If you are not comfortable with this kind of work, I'd suggest contacting a handyman.

To limit the damage caused by the water ingress, you should mop up any water that has come into your kitchen and hire an Air Blower to go into the ceiling cavity to dry things out.

Allow me to tag some of our helpful members to see if they have any other thoughts, @Nailbag, @Noyade, @DIYGnome, @Dave-1.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Nailbag

Hi @ivanptr very sorry to hear of your issue.

Following along @JacobZ advice, though the sealant can be applied along the top of the crack it, ideally you need to seperate the broken tile, and apply the sealant to the two inside halves then again along the top when rejoined. This requires you to slide neighbouring tiles off the broken one. This video shows how to do this. And this video shows the process of repair.

This storm sealant is designed to dry on wet surfaces so don't be concerned if the tile gets wet again during the curing process. As Jacob mentioned it's very sticky stuff, so wearing gloves are a good idea. While your on the roof have a look for other broken tiles and treat the same way.

If you're confident of no further rain, sliding a few single roof tiles a few rows up from the bottom on a couple of sides will provide some air flow to assist in drying out the roof space. Just slide them back at night.

If you have access to the roof space, you need to remove the wet insulation sitting on the top of the ceiling as this will hold water and further damage the plasterboard. If you're not experienced, in navigating in the roof, maybe call on a friend or local handyman. Take in to the roof space several garbage bags in case the insulation id the older blown in loose type. This will have to be scooped up.

With the wet insulation removed gently wipe the top of the plasterboard ceiling with old towels. And again as Jason suggested any form of air dryer will help to dry things up.

If the broken tiles are not near the peaks and valleys where they can be easily removed, this can be easily done again by yourself, a DIY friend or relative or local handyman if your struggling to get a roof repairer. 2nd hand tiles are easily sourced, just Google your local area. The profile of the tile you have is a very common one. One of your neighbours may have spares, it was very common to with older homes.

Unfortunately by the looks of the volume of water ingress, there will be sections of the ceiling that will need to be replaced. A local plasterer will be able to do those repairs. And if any water has come through any light fittings, I would get an electrician to do a safety check. All these repair jobs can also be claimable through your home insurance.

all the best and let us know how you go.

Nailbag

Dave-1

Afternoon @ivanptr

Ahhh my friend the crack in the tile.... Silastic is what I have used for repairing mine tho probarly not as good as the one @JacobZ and @Nailbag suggest. At least short term until you can find same type of tiles to replace the cracked one. You could also switch the cracked one for a good tile at the bottom of the roof type deal while still silasticing it.

As to the interior roof, do you know if you have insulation in it?

NOTE - before going up into the roof cavity I would turn off the power at the switch box as a precaution.

Just poking your head up should be able to tell if you have insulation in it. If there is no insulation id follow below and then just air dry. Once dry id check to see if the plaster has been damaged.

You can poke a hole in plaster ceiling at the lowest point of sag and drain the excess water out. Was taught that as a kid years ago. It also stops the weight of the water from pulling the plaster downwards so much. Its also much easier to repair a small hole made by a phillips head screwdriver.

Dave

Nailbag

That’s a good tip with the screwdriver to drain any water @Dave-1 👍

Dave-1

Thank you @Nailbag

It was a cousin of mine when I was around 14 years old. The ceiling was wanting to start to sag and we didnt know what to do, he was prob 20 years older them myself and said to do that. It worked a dream.

Dave

ivanptr

@Nailbag @JacobZ @Dave-1

Thanks so much for the headsup and tips. We are now busy repairing it / minimize further damage 🫂

But we had a little accident, when I went into the roof void, I accidentally stepped on the ceiling board with one leg, causing a section to sag and a 20 cm hairline crack to appear. Size od sagged area is about 1.1m x 0.91m.

Should we hire a plasterer to reinstall the whole board, or should we ask them to just cut out the sagged area?

The sagged section of the ceiling board is not related to the water damage and is located away from the affected kitchen area.

Dave-1

Evening @ivanptr

Whoops 🙂 It happens lol and prob happens more then people admit.

Id go for a plasterer to repair it, they will be able to tell you what is needed to be done to repair it and remove the sag.

If you like an upper body workout and I mean really "like" the hard work where your arms are on fire... then yes you could also attempt it yourself. Tho unless you are a decent plasterer id suggest not. 🙂

Dave

Nailbag

Easily done @ivanptr and definitely just go with the repair.

Regards, Nailbag

ivanptr

@Nailbag @Dave-1 @JacobZ

Do you think this is the proper way to repair it? 🫠

Some plasterers said it can be fixed by rescrewing, setting, and sanding. Or should we ask them to cut out the gyprock and resheet?

Dave-1

Morning @ivanptr

It is always hard to judge from a photo what needs to be done, especially from Airtasker for that type of repair.

I generally want to see examples of work they have.

I have a few plasterers that I follow on Facebook land that I keep in mind for stuff I want done.

It sounds like resonable steps, tho the bowing you mentioned before I would wantto see before figuring out what to do.

Check out their trading name and see if there are any reviews for their work or examples.

There is an instagram page but not clear if the airtasker and the page are the same.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @ivanptr

Proper patching with joining tape as per the reply you got is definitely a structurally sound one. It’s very common practice, plus they will use an adhesive between the timber joists and the back of the plasterboard. And the section that will be cut out will be slightly larger than just the damaged one.

Replacing an entire sheet (1200mm x 2400mm) is going to be essentially done the same way but it’s going to cost a lot more for no benefit.

Nailbag

EricL

Hello @ivanptr

It's great that you've received good advice from @Dave-1 and @Nailbag. I suggest having a look at the repairs the plasterer has done in the past. If they have a website have a look or you can ask for references or photos on their phone of their latest work. If the plaster has badly bowed, then it would be best to replace it with a new one so that you will not have to worry about it.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

R4addZ

Hi @ivanptr

The big advantage of getting the sheet or damaged area replaced is that you can also check for mould which may have been caused by the water and if necessary also replace the insulation if it is holding water.

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