Roofing questions & answers

Every job is genuinely different — roof size, materials, access, the condition of the structure beneath, and the complexity of details like chimneys and valleys all affect the cost. Two houses on the same street can be priced differently for entirely legitimate reasons.

Rather than publish figures that may not apply to your specific property, we provide a free written quotation for every job after a proper inspection. There are no call-out charges and no obligation to proceed.

Flat roof costs depend on the size of the roof area, the system being installed, the condition of the decking beneath, and access. GRP fibreglass costs more than felt upfront but lasts 25–30 years compared to 10–15 for felt, making it better value over time for most properties.

We provide free written quotations for all flat roof work — contact us and we'll come out and assess your specific roof.

Chimney costs depend entirely on the size and height of the stack, the extent of the work required, the materials needed, and the access involved. A small repointing job and a full chimney rebuild are very different in scope.

We'll come out, inspect your chimney, and give you a free written quotation specific to your property — call us on 01323 767955 to arrange.

No — inspections and written quotations are always completely free with no obligation. We'll come out, inspect your roof properly, and give you an honest written assessment of what's needed and what it will cost. There's no pressure to proceed.

We typically ask for a small deposit to cover the first material delivery on larger jobs — usually around 10–15% of the job value. We do not ask for large upfront payments. For smaller repairs, payment is usually on completion. Be very wary of any contractor asking for 50% or more upfront — this is a common sign of a rogue trader.

If the damage is localised — a few slipped tiles, a section of failed ridge mortar, a single flashing that's lifted — repairs are usually the right answer and can extend the roof's life significantly.

If the roof is over 25 years old, tiles are cracking or crumbling widely across multiple slopes, the felt beneath has failed (visible as widespread staining in the loft), or the damage is caused by widespread nail corrosion, a full re-roof is usually more economical in the long run than repeated repairs. We inspect honestly and tell you which situation you're in — we don't push for more work than is needed.

Almost certainly, if your property is Victorian or Edwardian. The original iron nails used to fix slates corrode through after 80–120 years, causing slates to slide down the roof. The slates themselves are often perfectly sound — it's the fixings that have failed.

Individual repairs can buy time if only a few slates are affected, but once nail sickness is widespread, a full strip and re-lay with stainless steel fixings is the only lasting solution. We assess the extent of the problem honestly and give you a clear recommendation.

A full re-roof on a typical three or four-bedroom property takes 3–7 working days depending on roof size, complexity (number of hips, valleys, chimney details) and weather. We ensure the roof is fully weathertight at the end of every working day.

Like-for-like replacement generally doesn't require planning permission. However:

• Changing materials in a conservation area (e.g. Lewes town centre, Hastings Old Town, parts of Eastbourne) usually requires planning consent
• Any roofing work on a listed building requires listed building consent
• Adding roof windows or dormers requires planning permission

We can advise on what applies to your specific property and location as part of a free inspection.

Occasionally when a roof is stripped, additional issues become visible — rotten battens, failed felt, structural timber concerns. A reputable contractor stops work, shows you or photographs the issue, explains what additional work is needed and its cost, and waits for your agreement before proceeding. We never carry out additional work without your explicit consent and never present an inflated bill on completion that wasn't agreed.

If the chimney is genuinely redundant (no open fire or appliance uses it) and it's causing repeated problems — failing mortar, recurring flashing leaks, cracked or missing pots — removal is often the most cost-effective long-term solution. We remove the stack below roof level, make good the roof structure, and tile over completely. It eliminates a permanent maintenance liability.

If you're in a conservation area or have a listed property, removal may not be permitted and repointing or rebuilding is the route to take. We can advise on what's appropriate for your property.

Repointing is appropriate when the brickwork itself is sound but the mortar joints have eroded, cracked or fallen out. This is a relatively straightforward job that extends the life of the stack by 20–30 years.

Rebuilding is needed when the brickwork has deteriorated — bricks are spalling (face breaking away), the stack is leaning or unstable, or there is significant structural deterioration. Catching the need for repointing before it becomes a rebuild is always better value. We'll assess and advise honestly.

The most common causes of chimney leaks are:

• Failed lead flashings — the step and soaker flashings where the chimney meets the roof, or the back gutter behind the stack
• Cracked or eroded mortar between the bricks allowing water into the stack
• Missing or cracked chimney pots allowing rain straight into the flue
• Failed mortar haunching around the base of the pots

Water from a chimney leak often appears inside the property well away from the chimney itself — it travels along rafters and joists before dripping. We identify the actual source during inspection.

Yes — moss is not just cosmetic. It holds moisture against tile surfaces continuously after rainfall, significantly accelerating water absorption on concrete tiles. In winter, this absorbed water freezes, expands and can crack tiles from within. Moss also works beneath tile laps and into mortar joints, causing physical disruption over time. Heavy moss that washes into gutters in storms blocks them instantly, causing overflow and wall saturation. It should be treated, not ignored.

It looks clean immediately — that's the deceptive part. What's actually happening is that the high-pressure water is stripping the protective surface from concrete tiles, blasting away the mineral texture from natural slate, and damaging tile edges. The tile appears clean but is now significantly more porous.

Within 12–18 months, moss returns faster than before on the now-damaged surface. We see the results of jet-washed roofs regularly — accelerated deterioration, rapid moss regrowth, and shortened tile lifespan. We never jet wash, and we're always honest with customers who ask why.

We remove moss and growth manually using soft brushes — careful hand work that clears material from the surface without applying damaging pressure to the tile beneath. We then apply a professional-grade biocidal treatment that kills moss, algae and lichen at root level, including the invisible sub-surface structures that brushing alone leaves behind.

The dead growth then weathers away naturally over several months. The tile surface is left clean, undamaged and treated.

Copper ridge strips are fitted along the ridge of the roof after cleaning. Every time it rains, tiny quantities of copper ions wash down across the entire roof surface. Moss, algae and lichen cannot establish in the presence of copper ions — they simply won't grow on a copper-treated surface.

The result is a roof that stays clean for 8–12 years rather than the 3–5 years without strips. The saving in avoided cleaning cycles over time is significant — copper strips represent excellent value and we always recommend them. We fit them on every roof we clean and the results are consistently excellent.

Without copper ridge strips: every 3–5 years for coastal East Sussex properties (Eastbourne, Bexhill, Hastings), every 4–6 years for inland properties (Hailsham, Polegate, Lewes).

With copper ridge strips fitted after cleaning: most roofs stay clean for 8–12 years before any re-treatment is needed. This is our strong recommendation for every property we clean.

• Keep gutters clear — blocked gutters cause overflow that damages fascia, walls and foundations
• Check the ridge line visually from the ground after storms — any raised or displaced ridge tiles should be addressed promptly
• Treat moss before it becomes a serious accumulation — early treatment is far cheaper than remedial work after moss has caused tile damage
• Have lead flashings checked every 20–25 years even if they appear sound
• Ensure the loft is properly ventilated — poor ventilation causes condensation that damages roof timbers independently of the roof covering
• Have a professional inspection every 3–5 years — catching small problems early is always cheaper than dealing with them after they've developed

Traditional felt — the cheapest option upfront, with a lifespan of 10–15 years. Has seams and laps that are the weak points for water ingress. In East Sussex's wet coastal climate, we do not recommend felt for new installations.

GRP fibreglass (glass reinforced plastic) — our standard recommendation for most extensions and garage flat roofs. Completely seamless with no joints to fail. Lasts 25–30 years, is low maintenance and can be walked on. Costs approximately 40–60% more than felt upfront but significantly cheaper over its lifetime.

Single ply membrane — the professional standard for larger flat roof areas and the most exposed coastal positions (particularly Pevensey Bay seafront). Lasts 40+ years, handles UV and wind uplift exceptionally well, and comes with manufacturer-backed warranties. Higher cost but the best long-term solution for significant flat roof areas.

If it leaks every winter, it's almost certainly at or past the end of its useful life. Repeated patching of a failing flat roof costs more over time than a proper replacement — and every winter of water ingress is causing hidden damage to the roof deck, insulation and the ceiling below.

A new GRP fibreglass roof gives you 25–30 years without the annual anxiety. We'll inspect and tell you honestly whether a repair would be meaningful or whether replacement is the right call.

Sometimes — but only if the existing deck (the boards beneath the felt) is completely sound and dry. If the deck has any rot, moisture damage or soft spots, it must be replaced before the new covering goes on. Installing GRP over a compromised deck traps moisture beneath the new covering and causes rapid deterioration from below. We always assess the deck condition before specifying an overlay.

Clay tiles don't absorb water — they're fired ceramic. They last 60–100+ years, perform significantly better in coastal salt air, and look better on period properties. They cost more upfront but the lifespan makes them better value over time in most cases.

Concrete tiles do absorb moisture, have a surface coating that wears away over 25–30 years, and perform less well in coastal East Sussex environments. They're the most common tile on 1960s–2000s housing and are perfectly adequate when like-for-like replacement is appropriate — but upgrading to clay at re-roofing time is worth considering.

Natural Welsh slate lasts 75–100 years, handles coastal exposure better than any alternative, and is required by planning in many of East Sussex's conservation areas. It's the premium option.

Synthetic (fibre cement) slate has improved significantly in quality. Good products carry 40–50 year warranties and are visually very similar to natural slate. They're a sound choice for non-conservation properties where budget is a consideration, and they're lighter than natural slate which can be relevant on some roof structures.

We always try to match as closely as possible. For natural slate, the right Welsh quarry source usually gives a very close match. For clay tiles, the range of available profiles is broad and we can usually find a very close match. For concrete tiles, manufacturers keep most standard profiles in current production. For older or discontinued tiles, reclaimed tiles are sometimes the best route — we can source these. The match may not be perfect on an old weathered roof, but we do our best.

Standard home buildings insurance covers sudden storm damage to a roof that was in reasonable condition before the storm. It does not cover gradual wear and tear or damage arising from lack of maintenance.

If the storm causes damage and a loss adjuster finds evidence of pre-existing neglect (heavily mossy tiles, previously broken tiles, failed mortar), they may reduce or decline the claim. A well-maintained roof with a record of regular inspection gives you the strongest basis for a claim. We provide written storm damage assessments to support insurance claims.

No. Cold-calling rogue traders appear in force after every significant East Sussex storm, claiming to have noticed damage and offering to fix it immediately for cash. The work they carry out is typically substandard and in many cases makes things worse.

Always use a contractor you can verify — a company with a real local address, a track record in the area, and public liability insurance. Call us on 01323 767955 for a free inspection — we'll tell you honestly what's damaged and what it will cost to fix properly.

Yes. Call Jamie directly on 07866 611139 for emergency call-outs across East Sussex. We prioritise properties where the roof is open to the elements and can apply temporary weatherproofing (heavy-duty tarpaulins, emergency repair membrane) to stop further water ingress while we arrange the full repair. We cover Eastbourne, Pevensey, Polegate, Hailsham, Bexhill, Hastings, St Leonards, Lewes, Brighton and Hove.