If you are planning a new roof in Elmswell and want to know exactly what the process involves, this page walks through each stage in plain terms so you know what to expect.
Before any price is agreed or any work is planned, the roof needs to be properly looked at. This means more than a glance from the pavement. A roofer should access the roof surface directly and also inspect the loft space from the inside where that is possible.
From the outside, the inspection covers the condition of the tiles or slates, the mortar on ridge and hip tiles, the state of any leadwork at flashings and valleys, and the guttering and fascias. From inside the loft, the roofer is looking at the underside of the felt, the condition of the battens and any visible timbers, and checking for signs of damp, rot or daylight coming through.
On an extension or new build where the roof doesn't yet exist, the inspection is really a review of the structural drawings and a look at the existing building to understand the working conditions and access.
Once the inspection is complete, a clear picture of the work involved should be set out before anything is signed off. For a straight re-roof this means specifying the replacement material (tile type, slate source, EPDM or felt for flat sections), the underlay specification, batten gauge, how ridges and hips will be finished, and what will happen if structural timbers are found to be damaged when the covering comes off.
It is worth agreeing at this stage what happens with any extras that emerge during the strip. Rotted timbers, failed fascias or damaged soffits are common discoveries and can add cost. A roofer who will not discuss this possibility before starting is not giving you the full picture.
For extensions and loft conversions, the specification also needs to confirm that the chosen materials satisfy any planning conditions. Planning consent sometimes specifies that new materials must match the existing property or the character of the area.
A new roof requires scaffolding. Any roofer offering to carry out a full re-roof from ladders alone is cutting a corner that affects both safety and the quality of the finished work. Scaffolding allows materials to be stockpiled at roof level, gives the roofer room to work properly around the whole perimeter, and protects the ground below from falling debris.
Scaffold erection typically takes half a day to a full day depending on the size and complexity of the property. The scaffold needs to be in place before material deliveries arrive. On a standard semi-detached house, scaffolding hire is usually included in the overall roofing quote, but confirm this before signing anything.
Access to the property for deliveries also needs to be thought about in advance. Tile and slate deliveries arrive on pallets. If the access is tight, the delivery vehicle may not be able to reach the front of the property and materials may need to be moved by hand, which takes extra time.
On a re-roof, the existing tiles or slates come off first. They are passed down from the roof and loaded into a skip or lorry. It is worth asking in advance whether any existing tiles can be reused elsewhere on the property or sold as reclaimed material, as this can offset some of the disposal cost, though salvageability depends on the age and condition of the tiles.
Once the covering is off, the underlay and battens are removed next. This is the point at which the real condition of the roof structure becomes clear. Any rotten battens, damaged rafters or compromised roof boarding are now visible and can be dealt with before the new covering goes on. If structural repairs are needed that were not apparent at the initial inspection, this is when the roofer should be talking to you before proceeding, not after.
Common structural repairs at this stage include replacing sections of rotten rafter, sistering new timber alongside a weakened rafter rather than replacing it completely, replacing the ridge board, and re-fixing or replacing any roof boarding. Any new timber used should be properly treated against rot and insect attack before it goes in.
On a loft conversion, the structural changes are more significant and will already have been designed and approved as part of the building regulations process. The roofing contractor is working within a structure that has been altered by the frame or the conversion team, and the two programmes need to be coordinated so the new covering can go on as soon as the structure is ready.
Modern roofing underlay is breathable membrane rather than the traditional bitumen felt used on most pre-2000 roofs. Breathable membrane allows moisture vapour from inside the building to escape through the roof, which reduces the risk of condensation and timber decay in the roof space. It also has better tear resistance than old-style felt, so if a tile is displaced in a storm, the secondary barrier is more likely to hold.
Battens are then fixed over the underlay at the correct gauge for the tile or slate being used. The gauge - the spacing between battens - is calculated from the size and head lap of the specific tile. Using the wrong gauge leaves the roof either with too much head lap (wasting material) or too little (which risks water penetrating at the joints). This calculation is basic competence, but it is worth knowing it should be done precisely.
Tiles or slates are fixed to the battens starting at the eaves and working up to the ridge. At the eaves, a proper starter course is laid to ensure the bottom edge of the roof sheds water correctly into the gutter. At verges (the edges of the roof), tiles are either mechanically fixed with clips or bedded and pointed in mortar depending on the tile type and the roofer's specification.
Valleys, where two roof slopes meet, are lined with lead or a purpose-made tile valley system. Lead flashings are dressed at abutments against walls, around chimney stacks and at any other junction between the roof and a vertical surface. These junctions are where most leaks occur on older roofs, so the quality of the leadwork matters considerably.
Ridge tiles are fixed last. On most modern roofs this is done with a dry-fix system using a plastic carrier and clips rather than mortar, which eliminates the cracking and repointing problems that affect mortar-bedded ridges over time. Mortar bedding is still used in some cases and performs perfectly well when mixed and applied correctly, but dry-fix is now the more common specification.
A full re-roof is a sensible time to inspect and, where necessary, replace the guttering and fascias. The scaffold is already in place, making the work straightforward and avoiding a separate access cost later. Fascia boards that are rotted or painted over multiple times are worth replacing at this stage. New UPVC or timber fascias and guttering can be fitted before the scaffold comes down.
Once the last tile is fixed and the leadwork dressed, a final check of the whole roof is carried out from the scaffold before it comes down. This is the point to look at every verge, every flashing, the alignment of the ridge and the run of the guttering. Anything that doesn't look right is easier to correct now than after the scaffold has gone.
The scaffold is then struck and removed, usually in half a day to a full day. Any remaining tile debris, mortar chippings and packaging are cleared from the site. The area around the property should be left clean and clear before the job is signed off.
A standard re-roof on a two-bedroom semi-detached house typically takes two to four days of active roofing work, not including scaffold erection and removal. A larger detached property will take longer, as will any project involving significant structural repairs or complex lead detailing around multiple chimneys or dormers. Loft conversions and extensions depend heavily on the complexity of the design and how the roofing programme fits with the wider build.
If you are planning a new roof for your home in Elmswell, whether it's a full re-roof, an extension or a loft conversion, call us to arrange an inspection. We'll walk through the scope and specification with you clearly before any work starts.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
