Ely Roofers carries out full roof replacements in Lakenheath, and once your new roof is on, the aftercare you give it in the following years is what determines how long it performs.
A full roof replacement is a significant investment. Done properly, a new pitched roof covering can perform well for many decades - but only if the basic maintenance is kept up. Neglect is the main reason roofs fail earlier than they should. The good news is that most of what a homeowner can do is straightforward and low-cost. You do not need to go on the roof yourself to keep it in good shape.
Before getting to aftercare, it helps to understand what a proper replacement delivers. The work involves stripping the old covering back to the timbers, inspecting every rafter and replacing any that are soft or cracked, fitting new breathable underlay and fresh-sawn battens, then laying the new tiles or slates. Flashings at walls, chimneys and valleys are remade. The ridge and hips are finished - either with a dry-fix mechanical system or bedded and pointed mortar. Larger or more complex roofs will cost more.
A replacement done to a good standard gives you a clean slate. Everything that follows is about protecting that investment.
Mortar-bedded ridges and hips need time to cure and settle. In the first few months after a replacement, it is worth keeping an eye on these areas after any heavy frost or prolonged rain. Mortar can sometimes crack as it cures, particularly if cold weather arrives soon after laying. This is less of an issue with dry-fix ridge systems, which is one reason dry-fix has become the more common choice on modern replacements.
Check the inside of the loft space a month or two after the work is complete, particularly after heavy rain. You are looking for any sign of moisture on the underside of the underlay, wet patches on the timbers, or drips. A small number of tiles can be incorrectly seated during installation and may not be apparent until rain actually hits them at an angle. Catching any of these early - while the work is fresh - makes them much simpler to address.
Gutters are not technically part of the roof, but they are inseparable from it in terms of how a roof performs. Blocked gutters cause water to back up and sit against the fascia boards. Over time, this rots the fascias, soaks into the wall below and can work its way under the tiles at the eaves. It is one of the most common causes of damp at ceiling level in upstairs rooms, and it is entirely preventable.
Clear gutters at least once a year, ideally in late autumn after the leaves have fallen. Properties with overhanging trees may need clearing twice. Check that downpipes are running freely by pouring water from a bucket - if it backs up, there is likely a blockage at a joint or bend. Downpipe blockages are usually easy to clear with a drain rod or a length of stiff wire.
While you are at gutter level, look at the condition of the fascia boards. Signs of softness, paint peeling or dark staining below the gutter bracket suggest water has been sitting there. Deal with it before it spreads.
Moss grows on north-facing and shaded pitches particularly readily. A light covering of moss on an otherwise sound roof does not itself cause tiles to fail - but heavy, established moss holds moisture against the tile surface, which accelerates freeze-thaw damage and can push tiles out of alignment over time.
The appropriate response depends on the extent of growth. Light moss can be left alone or treated with a biocide wash applied from a ladder at gutter level. Do not pressure-wash tiles - it removes the protective surface on concrete tiles and can drive water into the underlay. Heavy established moss should be removed carefully by hand or with a soft brush before any chemical treatment, again without high-pressure water. Anti-moss strips fitted at the ridge allow zinc or copper compounds to wash down the roof in rain, discouraging regrowth without repeated manual treatment.
You do not need to climb onto a roof to keep an eye on it. Once a year - or after any significant storm - take ten minutes to look at the roof from the ground with binoculars. You are checking for:
Catching a single slipped tile early costs very little to fix. Left for a full winter, that same tile allows water into the underlay, which soaks into the battens and then the rafters, turning a simple repair into a structural job.
Chimney stacks take more weather than any other part of the roof because they project above the covering and are exposed on all sides. The flashings around the base of the stack where it meets the roof are a common point of failure. They should be checked every few years - look for lifting lead, open joints or mortar that is pulling away.
The pointing at the top of the stack and around the chimney pot is also vulnerable to frost damage. Cracked or open pointing allows water into the brickwork, which freezes, expands and widens the crack season by season. Repointing a chimney every 10 to 15 years is normal maintenance, not a sign the original work was poor.
EPDM rubber flat roofs are low-maintenance compared to older felt systems, but they still benefit from a visual check once a year. Look for any punctures, split seams at the edges or around outlets, and pooling water that sits for more than 48 hours after rain. Standing water is not necessarily a problem if it drains away, but persistent ponding suggests the falls are insufficient and can shorten the lifespan of any membrane over time.
Keep the roof outlet and any drainage channels clear of debris. Blocked flat roof outlets cause water to back up and find its way through joints that would otherwise be watertight.
Replacing a roof with the same or equivalent materials is generally covered by permitted development rights and does not require a planning application. If your property is listed or sits in a conservation area, you should confirm with the relevant planning authority before any work starts. Your roofer should ask about this at the survey stage, but the responsibility ultimately sits with the homeowner.
Even a relatively new roof can develop problems if something was installed incorrectly or if an isolated event causes damage. Call a roofer if you notice damp patches appearing on ceilings after rain, a sudden increase in the noise level from wind on the roof, tiles or slates appearing on the ground after a storm, or if you can see daylight entering the loft space. Do not wait for multiple warning signs - one is enough to warrant a look.
We carry out roof replacements in Lakenheath and across the wider area, including Ely, Soham, Waterbeach, Witchford, Haddenham, Over, Stuntney, Prickwillow, Downham, Queen Adelaide and Newmarket. Call us to check whether we cover your location.
If your roof is due a replacement or you want an honest assessment of its current condition, call Ely Roofers to arrange a survey in Lakenheath. We will tell you what the roof needs - and what it does not - before any work is agreed.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
