Roofing needs vary with the property type, and a survey is the best way to find out what a particular roof requires. Whether you have a pitched slate roof on an older terrace or a felt flat roof on a 1970s extension, we can carry out an honest survey and tell you exactly what needs doing.
Slate in good condition can last far longer, but common problems include nail fatigue, slipped slates, and cracked ridge tiles where mortar has dried out and crumbled over decades. A slipped slate left unattended for one winter can allow water into the roof space and cause timber decay that costs far more to put right than a simple repair would have.
Concrete interlocking tiles are heavier than slate and are bedded on a mortar system at the ridge and verges that can become porous and soft after 20 to 30 years. A common problem is ridge mortar cracking and lifting, which lets water track into the felt below. Re-bedding and pointing the ridge is a straightforward job, but it is worth checking the condition of the tiles themselves at the same time, as concrete tiles can delaminate and become brittle with age. Dry-fix ridge systems are now the standard in new work and are worth considering when a full re-ridge is due, as they avoid the ongoing mortar maintenance cycle.
Modern roofs tend to need less maintenance in their first 20 years, but flashings around chimney stacks, skylights, and dormer windows are still a regular source of leaks. Lead flashings that have been pushed back by thermal movement, or step flashings that were pointed with mortar rather than wedged correctly, are worth inspecting if you have seen damp patches on ceilings near a chimney or roof junction.
Traditional built-up felt is still the most common material on older extensions and typically has a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years before it begins to blister, crack, or pond water. EPDM rubber membrane is now a widely used alternative for flat roof replacements. It is a single-ply system bonded or mechanically fixed to the deck, with no joints across the main field of the roof, which removes the most common leak point. A well-installed EPDM roof can remain watertight for 20 years or more, though the quality of the install at the upstands and edges is what determines how long it lasts in practice. Typical flat roof replacement costs in the Cambridgeshire fens range from around £70 to £120 per square metre depending on the size of the area, access, and the system chosen.
A redundant chimney stack still needs to be maintained because it remains fully exposed to the weather. Cracked or spalling brickwork, loose chimney pots, and failed flaunching (the sloped mortar cap around the base of the pots) are all common on stacks that have not been touched for 20 or 30 years. If a chimney pot is redundant, capping it off properly is better than leaving it open to allow birds and rainwater inside. Tuck-pointing the mortar joints and re-flaunching the cap are standard maintenance jobs that prevent more serious structural movement later.
Heavy moss holds moisture against the tile surface and, over time, can cause freeze-thaw damage to the tile face and push up at the tile laps, creating routes for wind-driven rain to enter. Soft washing with a biocide solution is preferable to high-pressure washing, which can damage tile surfaces and drive water under laps. After treatment, the dead moss sheds naturally over several weeks. If tiles have already suffered surface damage, it is worth having them inspected rather than cleaned, as cleaning can expose underlying weakness.
If you have lost tiles, have a section of felt exposed, or have water coming through a ceiling after a storm, contact us as soon as possible. Temporary weatherproofing to protect the roof space while materials are sourced or conditions allow a full repair is often the right first step. Acting quickly limits the secondary damage to timbers, insulation, and ceilings.
When choosing a roofer, it is worth confirming they cover your location before requesting a quote. If you are not sure whether we cover your location, give us a call and we will let you know.
As a rough guide, if more than 20 to 25 per cent of the tiles on a slope are cracked, slipped, or missing, and the felt below is aged, a full re-roof is likely more cost-effective than ongoing repairs. If the problem is limited to a small area or a specific element like the ridge or flashings, repair is usually the right answer. A proper inspection from roof level, not just a view from the ground, is the only reliable way to assess this. Typical costs for a full re-roof of a three-bedroom semi in this part of Cambridgeshire run from around £5,500 to £9,000 depending on the size of the roof, the tile specified, and access.
If the existing felt is blistering, cracking at the laps, or has been patched more than once in the last few years, replacement is almost always better value than another patch repair. A patch repair on a tired flat roof often just shifts the leak point rather than solving the underlying problem. If the decking beneath the felt is sound, replacement is straightforward. If timbers or boards have rotted from prolonged damp, these will need to be replaced at the same time, which adds to the cost but is essential for the new covering to perform properly.
Welsh slate is still produced and is the closest match to the original material on most Victorian and Edwardian terraces. Reclaimed slate is also available and can be a good match where colour continuity with the existing roof matters. Spanish slate is a cheaper alternative but varies in quality and does not always weather to the same colour as original Welsh slate. We can advise on the best option once we have seen the existing material on your roof.
Before any work begins, ask for a written breakdown of what is being done, what materials will be used, and what the total cost will be. Check whether the price includes disposal of old materials such as tiles and felt. Ask how long the work is expected to take and whether they will protect your property during the job. If a scaffold is needed, confirm who arranges it and whether it is included in the price. These are straightforward questions and any experienced roofer should be able to answer them clearly before you commit.
Roofing needs vary with the property type, and a survey is the best way to find out what a particular roof requires. Whether you have a pitched slate roof on an older terrace or a felt flat roof on a 1970s extension, we can carry out an honest survey and tell you exactly what needs doing.
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