When a roof needs replacing, not repairing
A repair makes sense when the damage is in one place. A new roof makes sense when the problems are everywhere: tiles slipping all over, felt that has rotted away, battens that have gone soft, or a roof that keeps leaking in new places after every repair. If you are not sure which you need, a roof inspection will tell you.
Common signs it is time:
- lots of slipped, cracked or missing tiles or slates
- daylight showing through the roof from the loft
- old felt that is torn, brittle or sagging between the rafters
- damp patches or leaks in more than one place
- a ridge or hips that keep coming loose
- a roof that dips or sags
What a re-roof involves
The photos on this page show it step by step:
- Scaffold up. Safe access all round the roof, so the work can be done properly and the site stays safe.
- Strip the old roof. Old tiles or slates, battens and felt come off, one section at a time, and the waste is taken away.
- Check the timbers. With the roof open, the rafters and boards are checked, and any rotten or damaged timber is pointed out to you before it is replaced.
- New membrane. A breathable membrane goes on, the blue layer you can see in the photos. It keeps water out and lets moisture escape from the loft.
- New battens. Fresh treated battens are fixed at the right spacing for the tiles.
- New tiles or slates. The new covering is laid and fixed, working up the roof.
- Ridges, hips and edges. Ridges and hips are fixed with a dry fix system, which does not rely on mortar that cracks and falls out. Verges, valleys and lead flashings are finished.
- Clear up. Old materials and debris are cleared away, and the roof is checked over before the scaffold comes down.
Choosing tiles or slates
Most of the roofs in Jon’s photos are interlocking concrete tiles in grey or red, a hard wearing choice for semis and bungalows. Older terraced houses across Manchester, Salford and Bolton often have slate. Jon can talk you through what suits your house and your budget, and what will look right next to the neighbours.
Doing the rest of the roofline at the same time
With the scaffold already up, it is the sensible time to replace tired fascias and soffits and guttering, and to sort out chimney or lead work. It saves paying for access twice.
Regulations
Re-roofing is usually not something you need planning permission for if it looks the same, but more than a quarter of the roof is controlled work under the Building Regulations in England. Jon will tell you what applies to your roof.
The quote is free and there is no obligation. Call or WhatsApp Jon with a photo of the roof to get started.
