Common roof repairs
- Slipped and broken tiles. Usually down to rusted nails, frost or storm damage. We replace or re-fix them, and check the tiles around them while we're up there.
- Ridge and hip tiles. The tiles along the top and corners of a roof are often bedded in mortar that cracks and washes out over time. We re-bed them, or fit a dry ridge system that's mechanically fixed and doesn't rely on mortar.
- Flashing. Where the roof meets a chimney or a wall is one of the most common places for leaks. We repair or replace the flashing so water is turned away from the joint.
- Verges. The mortar along the gable ends can crumble and drop out. We re-point it, or fit a dry verge system.
- Leaks. Water often shows up a long way from where it gets in. We'll look at the roof, the loft and the ceiling to find where it's actually coming from.
Fascias, soffits and guttering
The roofline takes a beating from the weather. Rotten timber fascias, sagging gutters and downpipes that leak down the brickwork all let water in where it shouldn't be. We replace them with new uPVC fascias, soffits, guttering and downpipes, which don't need painting and stay looking clean.
- Rotten or flaking timber fascias and soffits replaced with uPVC
- New guttering where the old runs sag, leak at the joints or overflow
- Downpipes renewed and re-fixed so water goes where it should
Repair or replace?
Most roofs don't need replacing just because a few tiles have slipped. If the timbers are sound and the tiles and underlay are in reasonable shape, targeted repairs are the sensible, cheaper option. We'd only start talking about bigger work if tiles are failing right across the roof, the underlay has perished, or there are signs of rot in the timbers. Either way, we'll explain what we've found and why, so you can make the call.
Signs your roof needs looking at
- Tiles on the ground or in the gutter after a windy night
- Gaps in the roof, or tiles sitting out of line
- Damp patches on ceilings, or in the corners of upstairs rooms
- Daylight showing in the loft, or damp loft insulation
- Mortar crumbling from the ridge or around the chimney
- Heavy moss build-up, which can lift tiles and block gutters
Working safely at height
Roof work needs the right access. Depending on the job, that might be ladders and a roof ladder for a quick tile replacement, or scaffolding for anything bigger or higher up. We'll explain what's needed and it'll be on the quote, so there are no extras later.
What affects the price
- How many tiles or ridges need replacing or re-bedding
- Access, and whether scaffolding is needed
- Matching tiles, especially on older roofs
- Work around chimneys
- Anything we find once we're up there, which we'll always talk through with you before carrying on
Roof Repairs: your questions
Can you match my existing roof tiles?
Most common tiles are still made. For older or discontinued tiles we'll find the closest match or use reclaimed ones, and we'll check with you before we start.
Do I need scaffolding for a roof repair?
Not always. Small repairs on a lower roof can often be done safely from ladders and a roof ladder. Larger jobs, higher roofs and chimney work usually need scaffolding.
What is a dry ridge?
A system where the ridge tiles are screwed or clipped down instead of being bedded in mortar. There's no mortar to crack or wash out, so it needs less looking after.
I've got a damp patch on my ceiling. Is it the roof?
It might be, but it could also be a gutter, the chimney, condensation or a plumbing leak. We'll look from outside and in the loft, and tell you what we think is going on.
