Gable end barges

[mikeleary]

Hi,

I have concrete barges traditional type that sit on the gable end over the cavity.They cracked soon after being poured and left water into the house..I then found out there was no steel  through it or lead over the cavity.I had an engineer employed who also drew up the plans.Should there have been a spec for these by the engineer or should the roofers have known.The rest of the roof is well fitted.

Thanks

[Gnome]

Just been planning our own bungalow and council very keen that we incorporate stone gables in the design. I thought that the gables would be fabricated from short sections (as copings) purchased as ready made items but recent observations and your query have led me to understand that concrete placed into in-situ shuttering is quite normal. Either way, my research shows that lead flashing or damp proof course has to be used between the stone and its supporting wall(s).

[burtANDclint]

I also recently had my roof finished with concrete barges, there is no spec that I know of, but generally they close the top of the cavity, usually with roof slates and then pour the barge incorporating the lead as a skirt that comes down over the roof, there is usually a slight overhang over the slates to carry the water onto the slates and not directly onto the lead...

[faschofield]

Hi,
When I was self-building I invented a concrete fascia/barge block which solves these problems including cold-bridging across the cavity for all around the roof saving you money on roof edge maintenance.
I have posted more info at www.roofblock.eu
Regards,
Andrew