Signs you may need this
- Damp patches or brown stains on a ceiling or upstairs wall
- Tiles or slates that are slipped, cracked or missing
- Daylight visible in the loft, or a damp smell up there
- Pieces of tile or mortar in the gutters or on the ground after wind
- Moss growing thickly on one slope, or water running down a chimney breast
Fixing the cause, not the symptom
Most leaks do not appear where the water gets in. Rain runs along a rafter or the underlay for a metre or more before it drips onto your ceiling, so the stain you see is rarely under the fault. A proper repair starts with finding the actual entry point, and that takes time on the roof and in the loft rather than a quick look from the drive.
Before we quote, we look at the roof covering, the ridge and hip tiles, the flashings around chimneys and walls, the valleys and the gutters, and then check the loft for wet timber, daylight and the condition of the underlay. You get a clear explanation of what is wrong, with photos, so you can see it for yourself.
Common repairs we carry out
- Replacing slipped, cracked and missing tiles and slates, matching the existing tile as closely as the stock available allows.
- Re-bedding and repointing ridge and hip tiles where the mortar has crumbled and tiles have loosened.
- Renewing flashings and leadwork around chimneys, dormers, skylights and abutting walls.
- Valley repairs, where debris, ageing lead or worn liners let water through.
- Storm damage repairs, including temporary protection first when the weather is still bad.
- Clearing blocked gutters and downpipes that are sending water into the roof edge and walls.
Active leak or storm damage?
If water is coming in now, call us rather than filling in a form. We prioritise active leaks and storm damage, give you an honest time for when we can get there, and talk you through limiting the damage until we arrive.
- Move furniture and valuables away and put a bucket under the drip.
- If a ceiling is bulging with water, stay out from underneath it. If it is safe to do so, make a small hole at the lowest point to let the water out into a bucket.
- If water is near light fittings or sockets, switch off that circuit at the fuse board.
- Take photos of the damage. They help with an insurance claim.
- Do not go onto the roof yourself.
On the day we make the roof watertight with temporary protection if needed, then quote for the permanent repair. A temporary fix stops the water; it is not the finished job.
Repair or replace?
A repair is almost always the right call when the damage is local and the rest of the roof is sound. If the tiles are crumbling across a whole slope, the nails have corroded, or the underlay has perished, repeated patching gets expensive and stops working. We will tell you honestly which situation you are in. If a re-roof is the better answer, we say so and explain why. If it is not, we do not sell you one.
What affects the price of a repair
Cost depends on access (a single-storey rear roof is quicker than a three-storey house needing scaffold), how many areas are affected, the materials needed and whether the tile is still manufactured. Small repairs from a ladder or a roof ladder are usually quick. Anything needing scaffold costs more because the scaffold has to be erected and taken down safely. Every quote is written, itemised and free.
Questions about roof repairs
How do I know whether my roof needs a repair or a replacement?
If the problem is limited to a few tiles, a section of flashing or the ridge, a repair is usually enough. If tiles are failing across a whole slope, the nails and battens are rotten, or the underlay has broken down, a replacement tends to cost less over time than repeated repairs. We inspect the roof and the loft and tell you which applies.
Can you repair a roof leak in the rain?
We can usually make a leak safe in poor weather with temporary protection, such as a tile or sheet placed over the opening, and then complete the permanent repair when the roof is dry. Roof work on wet, windy or icy roofs carries real safety risk, so we will not take chances on a slippery slope.
Will the new tiles match my old ones?
We match the profile, size and colour as closely as possible. On older roofs, weathering means a new tile will look different at first, so we often use reclaimed or already-weathered tiles where they are available and suitable.
Do I need scaffolding for a roof repair?
Not always. Small repairs on a lower roof can often be done from a ladder or roof ladder. Higher or steeper roofs, or work along the eaves and gables, may need scaffold for safe access. We tell you in the quote whether scaffold is needed and what it costs.
How quickly can you come out for a leak?
Active leaks and storm damage come first. Call us and we will give you an honest time for when we can get there, rather than promising something we cannot deliver, and tell you what to do in the meantime.
Will my home insurance pay for the repair?
Many policies cover sudden damage such as storm damage, but not wear and tear or gradual deterioration. Check your policy wording and tell your insurer promptly. We can supply a written report with photos of the damage to support a claim.
Related advice
What to do if your roof is leaking
What to do if your roof is leaking: protect your home and electrics, find the source, claim on insurance and get a proper repair.
Do I need a new roof or just a repair?
How to decide between repairing and replacing your roof: age, condition, cost over time and what an honest roofer should tell you first.
Where we work
We carry out roof repairs across Hampshire and the south of England, from our base in Farnborough to Aldershot, Fleet, Camberley, Farnham, Hook, Basingstoke, Guildford, Woking, Reading, Winchester, Andover, Alton, Southampton, Bournemouth, London. Not on the list? Call 07498170924 and we will tell you straight away.