Ely Roofers carries out roof repairs in Waterbeach, from replacing broken slates and re-bedding ridge tiles to fixing leaking lead flashing and patching flat roof sections.
Roof repairs span a wide range of jobs. On a pitched roof that might mean replacing cracked or slipped tiles or slates, repointing or re-bedding ridge and hip tiles, repairing or replacing lead flashing around chimneys and in valleys, fixing failed verge mortar, or sorting out a leaking chimney stack. On a flat roof it might mean patching a split in a felt surface, fixing a lifted seam on an EPDM rubber membrane, or replacing a section of damaged decking underneath.
The first job is always diagnosis. A damp patch on a bedroom ceiling does not always sit directly below the problem on the roof. Water follows the path of least resistance through a roof structure before it appears inside. A thorough inspection - ideally with photographs - is the starting point for any honest repair.
A full roof replacement costs several times more than a repair. The right approach depends on what is actually wrong, the age of the roof, and the condition of the materials and timbers underneath.
A repair makes sense when the problem is localised - a section of failed mortar, a few broken tiles, a single run of flashing that has lifted. If the roof structure (rafters, battens, felt) is in reasonable condition and the remaining tiles or slates are sound, spending money on a replacement is wasteful. A well-executed repair on a roof that is otherwise serviceable can give many more years of trouble-free use.
Specific situations where repair is usually the right answer:
A replacement makes more sense when the roof is at the end of its natural life and multiple areas are failing at once. Patching one section of a 60-year-old concrete tile roof where the tiles are de-laminating across the whole surface is not good value - another section will fail within a year or two. Similarly, if the roofing felt underneath has completely broken down and is allowing moisture into the battens and rafters, a patch on the surface is treating the symptom rather than the cause.
Situations where replacement is typically the better long-term decision:
We will not recommend a replacement if a repair will do the job properly. That is a straightforward commercial and ethical position - a repair costs us less time and materials, but it is what many roofs genuinely need.
Sometimes the right answer is neither a small repair nor a full replacement. One slope of a roof might be in poor condition while the other is fine. A single-storey rear extension might need a complete re-covering while the main roof is sound. A partial reroof - stripping and relaying one section - is often the most cost-effective solution and worth asking about if a repair feels too small and a replacement feels excessive.
Cost depends on the extent of the problem, the type of material, and whether scaffolding is needed. As a guide for typical UK repair costs:
These are broad ranges. Any quote you receive should be itemised - the work, the materials and the total, in writing, before you commit.
Before any decision about repair or replacement, a roofer should be able to tell you:
Photographs taken from on the roof are the most useful evidence for all of this. If a roofer cannot show you what they found and where, you have no basis on which to make an informed decision.
Individual tiles and slates can crack, slip or break at any point in a roof's life. On older roofs the nails corrode and the nibs that hook tiles onto battens break, which is why slates often slip in calm weather rather than during storms. Matching replacement materials to existing ones matters - using a heavier replacement tile on battens spaced for a lighter one can stress the roof structure. We source matching materials wherever possible.
The mortar bedding ridge tiles cracks over time as the roof moves with temperature changes. Once cracking starts, water gets in behind and accelerates the deterioration. A timely repoint keeps the structure intact; a full re-bed is needed when the mortar has completely broken down. Dry-fix ridge systems use clips and a flexible compound rather than solid mortar and are less prone to cracking.
Lead is long-lasting when properly installed - well-fitted lead should last several decades. Problems arise when it has been laid in excessively long runs (it cannot expand and contract freely), secured with the wrong fixings, or simply not fitted correctly in the first place. Lifting, cracking and splitting are the signs to look for. In many cases the existing lead can be dressed back and re-sealed; in others, a section needs replacing.
Felt roofs are the most common flat roof system on UK homes. They fail through UV degradation, pooling water and physical damage. An EPDM rubber membrane is more durable and is the better material for a replacement when a felt surface has reached the end of its life. In either case, a repair is only viable if the timber deck underneath is dry and structurally sound. If the deck has softened, it needs replacing at the same time.
Wind damage, falling branches and severe rain can leave a roof open to the weather. In genuine emergency situations the priority is stopping water ingress - a securely fixed temporary cover while a permanent repair is arranged is often the right first step. Contact us, describe what has happened, and we will give you an honest assessment of what needs to happen and when.
Like-for-like repairs to an existing roof generally do not need planning permission. If your home is listed or in a conservation area, any change to the materials or appearance of the roof may require consent before work starts. Check with the local planning authority if you are in any doubt - it is always better to confirm before work begins than to deal with enforcement after the fact.
Call us to check if we cover your location.
If you are not sure whether your roof needs a repair or a replacement, call Ely Roofers. We will come out, get up on the roof, and give you a straight assessment with photographs. You will have the information you need to make the right decision - not the most expensive one.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
