Haverhill Roofers fits new pitched roofs in Clare and the surrounding villages, working in concrete tiles, clay tiles, natural slate and Suffolk pantiles on houses, extensions and outbuildings.
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A properly installed new pitched roof starts with a full strip of the old covering, followed by a timber inspection and any necessary repairs to rafters, wall plates or battens. A breathable membrane goes on next, then new treated battens gauged to the tile or slate being used, and finally the covering itself, with dry-fix ridge, dressed lead flashings at chimneys and abutments, and properly detailed valleys and verges.
The covering material - concrete tile, clay tile, natural slate or pantile - affects not just the appearance but the weight the structure carries, the minimum pitch the roof can be built at, and how the detailing needs to be done at the edges and junctions. Getting those details right at installation is what makes the difference between a roof that needs attention in five years and one that performs for forty.
Each material has different characteristics, and the right choice depends on the building, the budget and, in some cases, what planning will allow.
Installed costs for new concrete tiles typically sit between £40 and £60 per square metre; clay tiles between £60 and £90; natural slate from £80 to £120; pantiles vary depending on supply.
A new roof is a significant investment. The aftercare you put in over the years that follow is what determines whether you get the full life from that investment. A well-maintained tiled roof that is checked and cleaned periodically will outlast a neglected one of the same specification by a decade or more.
The good news is that the maintenance a new pitched roof needs is genuinely modest. You do not need annual visits from a roofer. You need to know what to look for, how to keep the roof clear of debris, and when to call someone.
Blocked gutters are the single most avoidable cause of secondary roof damage. When a gutter overflows, water backs up under the lowest course of tiles or slates, saturates the fascia and soffit, and can work its way into the roof structure. On extensions and outbuildings with shallow pitches this risk is higher because there is less fall to carry water clear.
Clear gutters at least twice a year - once in late autumn after leaf fall, and once in spring to clear any debris that has accumulated over winter. If there are trees directly above or near the roof, three times a year is more realistic. Make sure downpipes are flowing freely and that the outlets from the gutter to the downpipe are not blocked with compacted material.
Moss grows on north-facing and shaded roof sections, and on any surface where moisture sits for extended periods. It should not simply be left alone - a thick layer of moss holds water against the tile surface, which accelerates frost damage and adds weight to the covering. High-pressure washing is not the answer, as it can dislodge pointing, force water under tiles and damage the surface of concrete tiles in particular. A biocide spray applied in dry weather is more effective and less damaging. It kills the moss and allows it to be removed once it has died back, without disturbing the covering. Some homeowners apply a biocide treatment every three to five years as a preventive measure.
Moss removal does not damage a sound roof. Does roof cleaning damage tiles? Not if it is done with appropriate methods - low pressure or chemical treatment rather than a high-pressure jet.
You do not need to go on the roof yourself to keep an eye on its condition. From ground level with binoculars, check regularly for:
Inside, check the loft space after heavy rain for any signs of water penetration - wet insulation, staining on the underlay, or drips from the rafters. Catching a small ingress early means a small repair; leaving it means water damage to the structure.
A new roof should be visually checked from ground level each year - you can do this yourself. A professional inspection every five years is a sensible practice, or after any significant storm where tiles could have been disturbed. A roofer on the roof can check the pointing, test the fixings on ridge tiles and look at the condition of the flashings in a way that is not possible from the ground.
Roof problems that are caught early are almost always cheaper to fix. The issues that tend to escalate quickly if left are:
None of these require you to go on the roof yourself. Calling a roofer to deal with a single slipped tile costs a fraction of what it costs to dry out a wet ceiling and replace damaged plasterboard.
A new roof installation is the best opportunity to address insulation in the roof void. With the covering stripped, adding or upgrading insulation between and over the rafters is straightforward. Current building regulations require specific U-value performance for new work, and an experienced roofer will know what applies to your project. For a simple re-roof on an existing house, insulation is not always part of the required specification, but it is worth discussing when the work is planned.
As well as Clare and the immediate area, we cover the surrounding villages. If you are in one of the surrounding villages and need a new roof on a house, extension or outbuilding, call us to arrange a visit.
Call Haverhill Roofers to arrange a site survey. We will assess the structure, talk through your material options and give you a written quote that sets out exactly what the job involves and what it will cost.
No obligation · We'll call you to arrange a free visit
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
