Ely Roofers carries out roof repairs in Cottenham, covering everything from slipped slates and cracked tiles to leaking chimney stacks and failed lead flashing.
A roof repair is not a single job. It covers a wide range of problems: missing or slipped tiles and slates, cracked ridge tiles, failed mortar on hips and verges, leaking or lifting lead flashing around chimneys and valleys, and flat roof sections that have started to blister or pull away at the edges. The first task is always to find the actual source of the leak, which is not always directly above the damp patch you can see inside.
Water travels. A leak appearing above a bedroom window can originate from a flashing joint two metres up the pitch, or from a cracked tile on the opposite side of the roof. A proper investigation means getting onto the roof and checking systematically, not just patching the most obvious spot and hoping for the best.
The types of repairs that come up most often on pitched roofs include:
Repair costs vary significantly depending on what needs doing and how accessible the roof is. As a rough guide, replacing a small number of tiles or slates typically costs in the region of £150 to £400 depending on quantity and material. Repointing or re-bedding a ridge section runs from around £200 to £600. Lead flashing replacement around a chimney is usually £300 to £700. A full chimney repoint and re-flaunching can reach £400 to £900 depending on the condition of the stack and whether scaffolding is required.
Any quote you receive should specify exactly what work is included and what materials will be used.
This is the section most customers skip, and it is the most important one. Roofing has a higher proportion of poor-quality and short-lived work than most trades, because the results are hidden until the next heavy rain. By that point a cowboy has long gone. Here is what to ask before signing anything or paying a deposit.
A roofer who cannot or will not show you photographs taken from on the roof during the inspection is either not going up there or not being straight with you. Photos give you evidence of the actual problem, let you compare what you are told with what you can see, and give you a record if the same fault reappears. Insist on this before agreeing to any work.
A quote should list every item of work, the materials to be used (brand and specification if relevant), and the total cost including VAT if the contractor is VAT-registered. Vague quotes like "repair roof - £350" tell you nothing about what you are actually getting. If the scope is not written down, there is nothing to hold a contractor to.
This is a genuine question, not a trick. On older roofs it is not unusual to find additional problems once the scaffolding is up or the tiles are lifted. A straight answer is: "We will tell you what we have found, show you photos, and give you a revised price before we do any extra work." Any roofer who says "we just get on with it and sort out the price afterwards" is one to avoid.
Older ridges were bedded in sand-and-cement mortar. Some roofers still use this method, which can crack again within a few years. A dry-fix system using purpose-made clips and a flexible mortar is better practice on most modern repairs because it moves with the roof. Ask which method they plan to use and why.
Will they need scaffolding, a tower, or can the work be done safely from ladders? Who is responsible for booking and paying for the scaffold if needed? What happens to the old tiles, lead off-cuts and packaging? These are practical questions that avoid surprises on the day.
After a storm, roofers who knock doors unsolicited are a well-known problem. Genuine emergency situations - a large area of roof open to the sky, for example - do sometimes require quick decisions, but even then you can ask for the above information. A temporary tarpaulin or emergency cover is a legitimate first step while you choose a contractor properly. If someone is pressuring you to sign or pay on the spot, walk away.
On flat roofs in particular, re-covering over an existing failed layer is a short-term fix. On pitched roofs, mortar applied over old crumbling mortar will fail again quickly. Ask whether old materials are being fully removed before the new work goes on.
Wind damage, a fallen branch, or storm-driven rain getting under lifted tiles can leave a roof needing urgent attention. The priorities are stopping water from entering the property and making the structure safe. A temporary fix - covering the affected area securely while proper repairs are arranged - is sometimes the right first step rather than a rushed permanent repair in bad weather.
If you find yourself dealing with a sudden roof problem in Cottenham or nearby, call us and describe what you can see. We will tell you honestly whether it is something that needs immediate attention or whether it can safely wait a day or two for a proper repair.
In most cases, like-for-like repairs to a standard pitched or flat roof do not need planning permission. You are maintaining the existing roof, not altering it. If your property is in a conservation area or is listed, different rules apply - any change of material or alteration to the roof's appearance may need consent. If you are unsure, check with the local planning authority before work starts. We can advise on what we have seen in practice, but the planning decision is yours to confirm.
Not every roof problem announces itself with a drip through the ceiling. Common signs to look out for include:
If you spot any of these, it is worth getting a roofer up to have a look before the problem gets into the roof structure. Replacing rotten timbers or re-felting an entire roof costs significantly more than repairing a small area of damage early.
If you are not sure whether we cover your area, just call and ask.
If you have a leak, missing tiles, or just something that does not look right on your roof, call Ely Roofers and we will arrange to get up and take a proper look. We will show you photographs from on the roof and explain exactly what needs doing and why before you make any decision.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
