In short
A new roof means stripping the old covering back to the rafters, checking and replacing anything that has gone soft, then rebuilding with new breathable membrane, treated battens and a fresh covering in slate or tile. On a normal house it is a scaffolded job that runs over several days, and you get a roof that should not need thinking about again for decades.
Signs you need new roofs and re-roofing
- Slates or tiles are slipping regularly, and fixing one is followed by another a few weeks later
- Daylight is visible through the roof from inside the loft
- The roof line dips or waves when you look along it from the pavement
- Battens are soft or crumbling where you can reach them in the loft
- The felt under the tiles has torn and is hanging in strips
- Repairs are becoming an annual cost rather than a one off
What the job involves
We look at the whole roof, not just the leak
A roof that is losing tiles in one corner is often near the end everywhere. We go up, look properly, and tell you honestly whether you need a re-roof or whether a repair will genuinely see you right for a few more years.
Scaffold goes up
Anything above single storey needs it, for safety and for a better job. It is priced into the quote so there is no surprise halfway through.
Strip back and check the timbers
The old covering, battens and felt all come off. With the rafters exposed we can see what we are actually working with, and anything rotten gets replaced before it is covered back up.
Membrane, battens and covering
New breathable membrane, treated battens set to the right gauge for the covering, then slate or tile laid and fixed. Ridges, hips and valleys are formed in lead on the roof.
Clear down and hand back
Old material away, gutters cleared, the drive swept. You get photographs of the parts you cannot see for yourself.
Want someone to take a look?
Send a photograph of the problem and you will get a straight answer on what it needs, at no cost.
New Roofs and Re-roofing near you
Frequently asked questions
How long does a new roof take?
A straightforward terraced or semi-detached house is usually a few days once the scaffold is up. Bigger or more complicated roofs, and anything with a lot of leadwork or stone detailing, take longer. We give you a realistic number before we start rather than an optimistic one.
Do I need scaffolding?
For a full re-roof, yes. It is not worth doing this kind of work off a ladder and the finish is better when the roof can be worked properly. Scaffolding is included in the quote.
Can you match the existing slate or tile?
Usually. Reclaimed slate is often the right answer on an older property, and there are modern tiles that sit well next to original ones. We will show you what we are proposing before it goes on.
What happens if it rains part way through?
We only strip what we can make watertight the same day, and the roof is sheeted overnight. Nobody strips a whole roof in one go and hopes.
Will you take the old roof away?
Yes. Removal and disposal is part of the job, not an extra.