Ely Roofers carries out roof repairs in Chatteris, handling everything from a single slipped tile to a leaking chimney stack or a failed flat roof section.
Booking a roof repair should not feel like a mystery. This page walks through what actually happens from the moment you first call, through the inspection and the work itself, to the point where we leave the site clean and the roof sound. Knowing the process helps you ask the right questions and spot whether the roofer you are dealing with is doing the job properly.
When you call about a roof problem, the information most useful to us at that stage is: what you can see from the ground or from inside the loft, when you first noticed it, and whether there is an active leak. You do not need to know what is wrong - that is our job. But describing the symptoms clearly (a damp patch on the bedroom ceiling after heavy rain, or a tile you spotted on the lawn after wind) helps us understand the likely scale of the job before we arrive.
If the situation is urgent, say so. We will discuss urgency with you and arrange a visit accordingly.
A proper roof inspection is not a quick glance from the pavement. Where access allows, we get onto the roof to look at it closely. We check the obvious candidates first: ridge mortar, hip tiles, verge mortar, flashings at chimney stacks and abutments, and any tiles or slates that are visibly displaced or cracked. Then we look at the surrounding areas, because damage in one spot often affects adjacent tiles or the underlying felt.
If there is a leak but no obvious entry point from above, we also check the loft space where accessible. Water can travel a long way along a rafter or batten before it drips onto a ceiling. Finding where it actually enters the building, rather than where it eventually appears, is the key to an effective repair.
At the end of the inspection, we explain what we have found in plain language. If there is more than one problem, we say so, and we tell you what order they need addressing in and why.
The quote will cover the materials required, how many tiles or how much lead or how much felt, and what the labour involves. If there is any uncertainty - for example, if we suspect the underlay may need replacing but cannot confirm until tiles are lifted - we will tell you that upfront and explain how we will handle it if the situation is worse than expected.
If the scope changes, we discuss it with you first.
Most roof repairs require scaffolding or a ladder and crawl boards, depending on the pitch and the location of the work. For a simple tile replacement low on the slope, a ladder may be all that is needed. For ridge work, chimney repairs or anything on a steeper pitch, proper scaffolding makes the job safer and usually faster. We will tell you what access equipment the job requires when we quote.
Before work starts, we protect the area below. Tiles, mortar debris and old lead all need somewhere to go, and we make sure the ground, any paths and any parked vehicles are covered or clear before we begin. If we are working above a conservatory or a bay window, this preparation step is especially important.
The detail of the repair depends on what needs doing. Here is what each common type of repair involves on site:
Sometimes the source of a leak is not clear after an external inspection. In these cases, a methodical approach is needed: eliminating potential causes one by one rather than guessing. Common sources that are often missed include failed soakers beneath hip tiles (which look sound from above), cracked tile and a half units at verges, and perished underfelt that is no longer shedding water to the gutters. If a previous repair has been carried out and has not solved the problem, we look at what was done and why it may not have worked, rather than simply repeating it.
Wind damage tends to follow a pattern. Ridge tiles are often the first to go because the mortar joint at the apex of the roof is exposed on both sides. Hip tiles and verge tiles are similarly vulnerable. After a significant wind event, checking the loft for daylight and the gutters for mortar debris will give you an early indication of whether the roof has been affected. Do not wait for a ceiling stain to appear - by that point, water has already soaked through the underlay and possibly into the ceiling plasterboard or timbers.
If you have visible storm damage in Chatteris or nearby, call us to arrange an inspection.
Before we come down from the roof, the repair area is checked: tiles seated correctly, mortar joints complete, flashings dressed flat, any fixings secure. We check the surrounding area too - a repair carried out without checking adjacent tiles can leave a problem a metre away from where we were working.
If there is a loft space, it is worth checking from inside after the repair has had one or two rain events, particularly if you had a persistent leak before. If anything is not right, get back in touch.
When the work is done, we clear the site. Old tiles, broken mortar, any off-cuts of lead or felt are taken away. The area around the house is left as we found it. If we have used a skip or loaded a van, that goes before we leave.
We explain what we have done, point out anything on the roof that we noticed but that was outside the scope of the current job, and let you know what, if anything, is worth keeping an eye on. If there is something else that will need attention within the next year or two, it is better that you know now than that it becomes an emergency later.
Like-for-like repairs generally do not need planning permission. If you are in a conservation area, or if your property is listed, you may need to use specific materials or seek consent before changing the roof covering. Check with the local planning authority if you are unsure before work starts.
What are the signs my roof needs attention? Ceiling stains or damp patches after rain, mortar debris or granules in the gutters, visible cracked or missing tiles from ground level, daylight in the loft, or lifting ridge and hip tiles are all signals worth acting on before they become a bigger problem.
Can you repair a roof a previous roofer has worked on? Yes. We look at the current state of the roof, not its history. If a previous repair has failed or caused a new problem, we diagnose it and explain what the correct fix is.
Do roof repairs need planning permission? Usually not for like-for-like work. Listed buildings and conservation area properties should check with the planning authority first, particularly if the material is changing.
If you have a roofing problem in Chatteris or a nearby village, call us to arrange a proper roof inspection.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
