Construction defect · Defects & construction flaws
Roof defects: tiles, watertightness, insulation in new-builds
Severity ⚠ High
Reporting deadline 90 days
Warranty Ten-year
Responsibility Roofer
How to detect a roof defect?
A compliant roof is watertight, with tiles or slates aligned and unbroken, ridge and hip caps sealed, gutters fixed and clean, continuous underlay membrane, watertight roof windows. Inspect with binoculars from the ground and the neighbour's plot, climb into the attic to inspect the underlay, check sensitive areas (edges, ridge, chimney, roof windows, downpipes). After driving rain, check for the absence of damp halos in the attic or top-floor ceiling. Common defects: broken or misaligned tile, torn or missing underlay membrane, dry ridge without mortar or clamp, poor attic ventilation (= condensation).
Before — compliant
tiles aligned · sealed ridge
Watertight · continuous underlay · ventilation OK
⚠ After — defective
broken tile · damp halo in attic
Ongoing infiltration · report urgently
Reporting procedure in 4 steps
Roof infiltration quickly degrades insulation, framework, ceilings. Act fast to preserve warranties and limit damage.
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1
Full visual inspection
Binoculars from the ground street side AND garden side. Attic inspection in rainy weather. HD photo of each defect with location (pitch, row, position).
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2
Infiltration documentation
Photo halos, moisture meter readings in attic, dates of recent rainfall. Keep the roofer's invoice and material certificates (tiles, underlay).
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3
Formal notice
Registered letter to the roofer AND contractor within 90 days. Attach full file and demand urgent action within 7 days (rainy season).
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4
Roof expert assessment
Independent roof expert with roof access (lift or rope-access technician). Full visual inspection, underlay sounding. Admissible report · from €480 VAT incl.
Who pays for the repair? Responsibility table
The watertightness of a roof almost always falls under the ten-year liability. The roofer is primarily responsible, the contractor jointly liable.
Broken / misaligned tile
✓ two-year warranty
—
—
Roof infiltration
✓ ten-year liability
—
ARI + structural
Defective ridge
✓ ten-year liability
—
ARI
Underlay membrane missing
✓ ten-year liability
—
—
Tile broken by exceptional storm
—
✓
home insurance
Get an inspection
Independent roof inspection with roof access
Lift or rope-access · admissible report · from €480 VAT incl.
FAQ
Common questions about roofing
I found a damp halo in my attic after heavy rain. Serious?+
Very serious — ongoing infiltration. Locate precisely, photograph, measure with a moisture meter. Cover with a temporary tarp if possible. Registered letter within 90 days to the roofer — ten-year liability.
My ridge is laid dry, without mortar. Compliant?+
Possible with an industrial dry-ridge clamp system (modern technique). Otherwise, defect. Check wind resistance: if the ridge moves, defect reportable under ten-year liability (safety).
Is a broken tile at delivery a defect?+
Yes, aesthetic/watertightness defect. List it in the reception minutes. The roofer must replace it. If not listed in the minutes, registered letter within 90 days under the two-year warranty.
How much does an independent roof inspection cost?+
Between €480 and €950 VAT incl. depending on access (lift, rope access) and surface area. Includes: full visual inspection, HD photos, underlay sounding, admissible report. Recoverable if defect confirmed.
My underlay membrane was not installed. How to detect?+
Inspection from the attic: the membrane (HPV or bituminous) should be visible under the rafters. If missing, major ten-year defect (no watertightness guarantee if a tile breaks in a storm). Report immediately.