Uncovering The Past
This is the roof valley adjacent to the south chimney. It goes way way up to the tippy tippy top.
The cementitious roof tiles were, I believe, installed circa-1930. They are, mostly, in good condition and will last till the end of time.
However, along this valley I discovered numerous cracked tiles, no doubt caused by being walked on. This is bad. A quick fix is to insert some metal under the cracked tiles so any water getting in will just flow down the new metal rather than rot the wood supporting the roof.
To accomplish this, I removed each broken-off piece, cut some metal to size, inserted it under the tile, then caulked the broken-off piece onto the metal. Easy-peasy!
However, I was startled to discover, under the circa-1930 tiles, the ORIGINAL wood shingles. These shingles are from 1894! Golly.
Golly.
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Hi Ross, I’m surprise that the roof wasn’t clad in slate originally. Can you see easily which shingles are cracked? How can you get to the broken ones without walking on them? Are you going to change the flashing? It looks like it could use a bit of Ross treatment.
How exciting to be able to practice a new home restoration skill. I’ll bet you’re glad to be putting down the paintbrush for a while.
Looking forward to seeing the updates for this area.
Christine, the cracked tiles are obvious.
Tomorrow, I begin work on reworking the built-in gutter in the SE corner. Then onto re-pointing the north chimney!
One man’s “easy peasy” is another man’s “oh-my-gawd”. I fall into the latter category, although I’m not a man. Kudos upon kudos to you!!!
Thank you, Nancy from New Yawk!
Wow! In between the siding shingles and now the roof shingles, it would be astounding to know the number of wood shingles used to shingle that house! I bet that roof weighs a ton! I am curious also about how you can fix the tiles without walking on them too. Great discovery, Ross.
Oh, I walk on the tiles, Robin. It’s the only way. I just step…gingerly.
Marvel should offer you a sweet movie deal for all of your Superpowers! I would have problems with just getting up on that roof for starters!
Id love to see the house WITH the restored original roof! Even the angle of the shingles is different. It would give a whole new look to the house. I think it would make the house more cozy-yes, even that gigantic space. I know you said not now but do you have any intention to go back to the original roof?
David, just after I purchased the house a retired roofer told me to leave the cementitious tiles alone as they will last forever. “People remove them and, fifteen later, have to do the roof again!”
I do sometimes fantasize about putting back a wood shingle roof and, most importantly, the galvanized metal flourishes which crowned the tippy top and ends.
Gotcha! Totally understand.
But, yes, I agree that those metal touches-small fences, spires, whatever–basically lightning catchers! But oh so practical! –would add the “crowning” touch! Literally! A crown for the Cross house! Those houses here in the Brush Park area of downtown Detroit that have been “restored” with metal fencing and spires don’t look exactly right or good . The original designs look waaaay better and more complete.
So, as a finishing touch,eventually, I say, yea, put ’em back!! 🤗
Hm. I wonder if it would be feasible to paint the 1930’s roof the color of the original wood roof one day? Although, if it were possible, I guess it’s likely you would have to do it on your own due to the asbestos.
Hi, Alexander!
Painting the 1930s roof tiles would just add to the overall maintenance of the house. Yikes!
Also, I’ve no idea if the tiles are cement-based or asbestos. Both were available at the time.
Ooh. One of these days this house will stop handing you projects when you poke into a new corner. One day.
Two questions:
1) Can you tell how the original wood tiles were treated? Were they painted, stained, or left bare? and
2) Can you get replacement shingles for the broken cementitious tiles? Does anyone still make or sell them?
I am surprised that they were able to put the cement tiles directly on top of the wood shingles, since it wasn’t a smooth surface. Amazing that it has only had two roofs in 126 years. When we bought our house in 2001, it had three layers of asphalt shingles on top of the wood shingles, and we had to have it all torn off and new plywood decking put on. The original wood shingles were so brittle that they fell apart, yours would likely be the same way. I like your roof, it looks very much like slate.
I agree! If it ain’t broke…!
I suspected you had an original shake roof under everything.
When I had my roof redone (because three layers is the limit) I thought I only had three layers of asphalt. They looked in the attic and told me the house had an original shake roof from the strapping across the joists. They had to take it ALL off and lay down plywood across the entire roof per code. (Then they broke a joist with a nail hammering it and had to sister another. I was pissed) Now it had an extra tough roof that is supposed to last until after I die. It better.
We don’t do shake of any kind in this area due to fire but it would have been nice to replace it with another Cedar shake roof. Barring that and unlimited money, I might have gone for a copper roof. I doubt it would carry the weight of a cement tile roof although I did consider it as they have some that look like cedar shake.
So, down the road when it comes to replacing the roof with the same roof the Cross House had in 1894, will you be removing everything and replacing it with the original shingles? I wonder if there is a pattern to the roof as well. Looks like when you remove the cement shingles you’ll find out exactly what the original roof looked like as it seems they just covered it up rather than remove it. Just some fun to look forward to.