Roof types

Most houses have pitched (raised) roofs covered in tiles or slate.

• Tiles are commonly made out of cement or clay. Cement tiles should last 40-50 years and are about 70p each. Clay tiles last longer but are about £1.20 each. 
• Slate is hard-wearing but rarely used because it's expensive. More slates than tiles are needed due to how they overlap. Reclaimed slates are cheaper.

Many outbuildings and garages, and some extensions, have flat roofs. Felt is the most common covering but newer materials such as fibreglass and PVC are now used.

What you should look for

Spotting these early warning signs can prevent more expensive problems.

Tiled roofs

• Damp or leaks may signal a cracked or slipped tile.
• If a tile has blown off, it should be replaced quickly to prevent water from penetrating the felt underneath. Also, more tiles can be dislodged in high winds if there is one missing.

Flat roofs

• Cracks or splits round the edges.
• Sagging – as water builds up boards can break under the weight.
• Damp patches on the ceiling – the roof may have a tear.

Stand back and check your flat roof from the ground periodically. If you spot uneven lumps, repairs may be needed.

How much you should pay

Get advice from at least three roofing contractors on what needs doing and what it might cost.

This is what you should expect to pay for some of the most common jobs:

Replacing a whole roof is only necessary when tiles have deteriorated beyond repair – if they’re crumbly or porous they won’t keep water out.

Annual roof surveys

It's a good idea to have your roof and gutters inspected each year. We charge £60 and we clean the gutter at the same time. Photos can be done on request.

Remove a stack that was leaking the customer had uesd other roofers to repair the leak. Stacks that are unused are best removed as it's impossible to keep the water from getting through as most stacks do not have a damp proof installed as the last photo shows. 

• Lower side stack Lower side stack
• Lower stack Lower stack
• Chimney pot install Chimney pot install
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Carry out slate repairs on factory mill in stalybridge. We fixed back all the slates that had slipped out of place. No slates were broken as they only slipped into the gully. 

A scaffold was needed to replace the barge boards on the gable. This was above a extension so we build the scaffold ontop of the roof. The repairs were carried out in Ashton Tameside. We have our own scaffold and prefer to use our own so when it comes down we can inspect for any damage to the roof so repairs can be completed before we leave.