Sawston is a large South Cambridgeshire village that has grown considerably since the mid-twentieth century, with a mix of older and more recent housing. We cover Sawston from our Haverhill base, which puts us well within reach of the village and the wider area stretching towards Cambridge and the surrounding parishes. Whether a tile has slipped on an Edwardian cottage or a felt flat roof on a 1970s extension is giving up, we can help.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Sawston lies about seven miles south of Cambridge on the River Cam and has historically been home to light industry alongside its residential areas, giving the village a practical, working character. It lies close to, rather than on, the main Cambridge to Haverhill road, which makes it straightforward for us to reach.
We carry out roofing work across Sawston and the surrounding South Cambridgeshire villages, covering everything from single tile replacements to full roof renewals. The housing stock here covers a wide range of eras and materials, which means a roofer working in the village needs to be comfortable with clay plain tiles, concrete interlocking tiles, natural slate, and the various flat roof membranes commonly found on garages and extensions. We are based in Haverhill and have worked throughout this part of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, including the villages and towns between the two.
Storm damage, slipped tiles, and failed flashings are the most common reasons homeowners in Sawston call a roofer at short notice. A missing tile or a cracked mortar ridge can let water in quickly, and once water finds a gap it tends to travel before it shows itself inside. A common problem on older clay-tiled roofs is that the torching (the mortar bedded underneath the tiles) cracks and falls away over time, allowing tiles to move and lift in high winds.
If you suspect a leak, try to get into the loft and mark or photograph where water is appearing before calling us. That information helps us diagnose the source faster when we get on the roof. We will carry out a full inspection, explain what we find, and give you a clear written quote before any work starts.
When a roof reaches the point where ongoing repairs cost more than a replacement, a full re-roof is the more economical option. On a typical semi-detached house in Sawston, a full re-roof in concrete interlocking tiles or natural slate includes stripping the existing covering, inspecting and replacing any rotten or damaged decking and battens, laying a breathable underlay, and re-tiling to current standards. The old materials are removed from site as part of the job.
Choosing the right tile matters for both appearance and longevity. Concrete interlocking tiles are cost-effective and durable; natural slate, while more expensive to supply and lay, can last well beyond fifty years with correct detailing. We will advise you on the options that suit your roof pitch, your budget, and the character of your property.
Flat roofs are common on garages, rear extensions, and bay windows. Traditional felt flat roofs have a limited lifespan and will eventually blister, split, or allow water to pond. When a felt roof fails, EPDM rubber is a well-regarded modern alternative. EPDM is a single-ply rubber membrane that is bonded or mechanically fixed to the deck; it handles temperature changes well, is resistant to UV, and properly installed it can last for several decades.
We inspect the existing decking before laying any new flat roof covering. Wet or rotten OSB or plywood decking must be replaced rather than overlaid, or the new membrane will not bond correctly and the underlying structure will continue to deteriorate.
Many properties have one or more chimney stacks, and chimneys are a common source of roof leaks. The lead flashing where the chimney meets the roof slope is the most vulnerable point. Over time, lead can lift, crack at the fold lines, or be pushed out of the mortar joint (the raglet) it sits in, allowing rainwater to run directly down the stack and into the ceiling below.
Re-pointing the chimney stack is a separate task from the flashings. Mortar joints on older stacks can become porous or crumble away, and the haunching around the chimney pots needs to be sound to prevent water sitting on top of the stack. We carry out leadwork, re-pointing, and chimney repointing as standalone jobs or as part of a wider roof repair.
Timber fascias and soffits rot from the back, which means by the time they look visibly deteriorated from the ground, the damage behind them can be substantial. On older properties in Sawston this often goes unnoticed until a gutter bracket pulls away or a soffit panel drops. Replacing timber boards with UPVC is a practical and long-lasting option: the material does not rot, does not need painting, and keeps the roofline looking tidy.
Blocked or leaking gutters are a separate but related problem. Overflowing guttering allows water to saturate the fascia board and the top of the wall below, which can lead to damp inside. Clearing gutters, resealing joints, and adjusting the fall so gutters drain properly is straightforward maintenance that prevents more costly problems later.
Roof windows are increasingly popular in Sawston as homeowners look to improve light in loft conversions or rear extensions. The most common cause of a leaking roof window is a failed or incorrectly fitted flashing kit rather than a fault in the window itself. Roof windows require a specific flashing kit matched to the tile profile on the surrounding roof, and an incorrect fit will leak from day one or fail within a few seasons.
We fit and replace roof windows and skylights, including the associated underfelt collars and tile-specific flashing kits. If an existing window is leaking, it is worth having the flashings inspected before replacing the unit itself, as the fix is often less involved than expected.
A roof inspection every few years can catch small problems before they become expensive ones. On a property in Sawston, a maintenance check would typically include looking at the condition of the ridge and hip mortar, the state of the flashings around any chimney or soil vent pipe, the condition of individual tiles, and the gutters and fascias. Moss and lichen can grow on roofs, and while moss itself does not damage tiles immediately, it retains moisture and can accelerate the breakdown of the mortar underneath.
We will give you a straightforward report of what we find, prioritised by urgency, so you can make an informed decision about what needs doing now and what can wait.
Sawston has a mix of commercial and light industrial premises alongside its residential properties. We carry out roofing work on smaller commercial buildings, including re-covering flat roofs on workshops and outbuildings and repairing or replacing profiled metal sheet roofing where this is found on agricultural or light-industrial structures. If you are unsure whether we cover your type of property or roof, contact us and we will give you a straightforward answer.
As well as Sawston itself, we cover the surrounding South Cambridgeshire and North Essex villages and towns. We carry out roofing work in Haverhill, Cambridge, Linton, Saffron Walden, Newmarket, Sudbury, Clare, Kedington, Steeple Bumpstead, Sturmer, and the Thurlows. If you are in a village not listed here, get in touch and we will confirm whether we can help.
Call us to arrange a roof survey at your property in Sawston. We will inspect the roof and explain what we find in plain language, so you can decide how to proceed. For anything urgent, please call directly and describe what you are seeing, so we can advise on any temporary measures while we arrange a visit.
Sawston has a varied housing stock of different ages and styles.
No obligation · We'll call you to arrange a free visit
A new roof is one of the most important investments you can make in your home. We install pitched and flat roofs across
Active leaks, storm damage, slipped tiles and failed flashings need dealing with before more water gets in. We cover Hav
A full roof replacement gives your home a structurally sound, weathertight covering built to last. We strip back to the
Cracked tiles, failed flashing or a leaking flat roof in Haverhill? Get a clear, honest assessment before any work begin
Flat roofs on extensions, garages and commercial buildings need the right system and proper detailing to perform well. W
Cracked gutters, rotting fascias or sagging soffits left untreated let water into your roof and walls. We replace or rep
Lead work is the traditional way to seal roof junctions, valleys, flashings and chimney stacks. When it fails, water get
A crumbling or leaning chimney is a structural risk and a source of leaks. We rebuild chimneys from the stack base upwar
We take down chimney stacks that are no longer in use, structurally unsound or causing persistent leaks. Work is carried
Exterior cladding gives walls a fresh, weather-resistant finish while adding insulation and kerb appeal. We fit a range
Commercial roofing in Haverhill and the surrounding villages. We work on flat roofs, pitched roofs and box gutters for b
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
