Felt under roof tiles has split – what are my options?

Roofing felt can split for various reasons, such as exposure to excessive heat or water, physical damage or natural wear and tear.

Whatever the cause, it’s important to understand your options so you can take appropriate action quickly and prevent water ingress or even more serious issues.

The first thing you should do is contact a local roofing specialist, as they’ll be able to identify the cause and arrange a permanent solution.

In the meantime, learn more about your options below.

Temporary patch

Depending on the severity and location of the damage, you may be able to patch up the hole as a temporary solution. This will minimise water ingress until you arrange a more permanent fix.

If you have a polyethylene sheet or tarpaulin, use it to patch the hole with a suitable adhesive, ensuring the surface is clean and dry first so it sticks.

You can also patch the external side, if it’s safe to do so, using a tarpaulin and some waterproof tape.

Replace damaged section

Instead of replaying the entire underlayment, a professional roofer might be able to repair or replace just the damaged portion, potentially saving you time and money.

The only way to know for sure whether this is possible is to contact an expert and have them assess the situation.

Total replacement

At some point, this will probably become necessary, so you might want to consider arranging a complete replacement straight away.

This is often the best long-term solution. You can also consider upgrading to a better kind of underlayment to prevent similar problems in the future.

If the split felt is causing a leak, use one of the temporary fixes mentioned above while you wait for a professional to deal with it.

Install a waterproof membrane

Installing a waterproof membrane above the felt but below the tiles can offer an extra layer of protection against the elements.

This should be done professionally, but if you’re a skilled DIYer and want to attempt it yourself, be sure to leave enough room to let the roof breathe, otherwise there may be condensation issues.

Arrange a professional assessment

When it comes to problems with your roof, you don’t want to wait around. Contact a roofer as soon as possible so you can understand the cause and the extent of the damage, and to have the felt repaired or replaced.

If you’re short on time, pop your postcode into the search box below and connect with quality roofers near you.