New Roofs in Kedington - What to Do While You Wait (and What to Leave Alone)

Expert New Roofs
in Kedington

New Pitched Roofs in and Around Kedington

Haverhill Roofers installs new pitched roofs on extensions, new builds and outbuildings across Haverhill and the villages nearby, including Kedington. We work with concrete tiles, clay tiles, natural slate and Suffolk pantiles. Every new roof we put on starts with a proper look at the structure underneath before any covering goes down.

A new pitched roof is a substantial piece of work. It means stripping the existing covering, inspecting and repairing the timbers, installing breathable underlay and correctly gauged battens, laying the tiles or slate, and finishing the ridge, hips, valleys and flashings properly. When it's done right, it should be decades before you need to think about it again.

Why There's Often a Wait Involved

Roofing is a trade where demand can run ahead of availability, particularly in spring and early autumn when dry weather coincides with homeowners acting on problems they noticed over winter. Scaffolding also has to be planned and erected before most roof work can start safely. It is normal for there to be a gap between getting a quote agreed and work beginning on site. Knowing how to manage your property sensibly during that gap is genuinely useful.

What to Do While You Wait for a New Roof

If there is an active leak or a section of roof covering that has failed before your new roof can be installed, there are practical steps that limit the damage without creating new problems.

• Put buckets and trays under any active leaks inside. Water that pools on a ceiling, in a loft or on flooring causes rot and mould quickly. Catching it reduces the secondary damage significantly.
• Move stored items away from the affected area in the loft. Insulation, timber, cardboard and anything else in the loft space should be moved clear of anywhere water is coming through. Wet insulation loses its effectiveness and takes a long time to dry out.
• Increase ventilation in the roof space if possible. Damp air sitting in a loft encourages mould on timbers. If there are vents that can be left open without letting in more rain, use them.
• Document the damage. Take photographs of any internal water marks, damaged plaster, or wet timbers before they are dried out or cleaned up. If you are claiming on a buildings insurance policy, evidence of the damage before remediation is important.
• Ask your roofer whether a temporary fix is practical. In some cases a temporary repair - re-bedding a cracked ridge tile, covering a failed section with temporary sheet material, or replacing a small number of broken tiles - can hold things safely until the full job can start. This is a conversation worth having. Not every situation suits a temporary fix, but many do.

What Not to Do Yourself

The instinct to get up and sort things out yourself is understandable, but most roof-related DIY attempts by homeowners either fail to solve the problem or actively make it worse. These are the ones to avoid.

• Do not get on the roof. Pitched roofs are slippery, particularly when there is moss, algae or damp tiles. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries. Without the right footwear, roof ladders and training, the risk is not worth taking. This applies even for what looks like a simple tile replacement.
• Do not apply sealant or expanding foam to visible gaps or cracks. Frame sealant and expanding foam are not roofing materials. Sealant applied over a cracked tile or flashing joint will trap moisture rather than repel it, and it prevents a roofer from carrying out a proper repair when they do arrive. Expanding foam used in roof voids can block ventilation paths and create condensation problems.
• Do not attempt to re-bed or re-point ridge tiles. Ridge tiles that have shifted need to be lifted, the old mortar cleaned out, and the tile re-bedded or dry-fixed correctly. Pushing mortar into a visible gap from below without lifting the tile is not a repair - it is a cosmetic cover-up that will fail again quickly and may make the underlying problem harder to address.
• Do not use heavy tarpaulins without proper fixing. A tarpaulin thrown over a roof and held down loosely by bricks or garden weights is a wind hazard. If a tarpaulin is being used as a temporary cover, it needs to be properly secured - ideally by someone with the right equipment and experience. A loose tarpaulin in a gust of wind can damage neighbouring properties and create a liability issue.
• Do not ignore water stains on ceilings. A damp patch that dries out between rainstorms is not evidence that the problem has resolved. The water is still getting in; it is just not reaching the ceiling at that moment. Leaving it means the ingress continues, the timber above gets wetter with each wet period, and by the time it becomes obvious again the damage is more extensive.

Temporary Repairs: What They Can and Cannot Do

A well-executed temporary repair by an experienced roofer can hold a failing roof section safe for months, giving time for the full job to be properly planned and scaffolded. A temporary repair does not replace a full re-cover, but it buys time without creating additional damage. Ask specifically about this option if there is urgency and a wait before the main work can begin.

Common temporary measures include replacing a small number of broken tiles, re-seating slipped slates and re-fixing their nibs or clips, applying compatible repair products to small areas of failed lead flashing, and in more serious cases installing temporary roofing sheet over a failed section at ridge or valley level.

Materials for New Pitched Roofs

When the time comes for the new roof itself, the choice of material affects cost, appearance and longevity. Concrete interlocking tiles are the most widely used and competitively priced option, typically in the range of £80 to £120 per square metre installed for a standard roof. Clay tiles suit properties where a more traditional or warmer-toned finish is needed, and they tend to hold their colour better over the long term. Natural slate is the most durable choice and the most expensive, often running from around £100 to £150 per square metre or more depending on grade and source. Suffolk pantiles are appropriate where that regional character fits the building and its surroundings.

We can bring samples to discuss before you decide, and we'll give you a written, itemised quote that sets out exactly what is included.

Areas We Cover Near Kedington

We work across Haverhill and the surrounding area, including Kedington.

Book a Survey

If you have a failing roof or are planning a new one in the Kedington area, call us to book a roof survey. We'll assess what's happening, advise you on what can be done in the short term and give you a clear quote for the full job.