Roofs in the town see everything from traditional plain clay pantiles to Welsh slate and modern concrete interlocking tiles, and each brings its own set of maintenance challenges. Norwich Roofers works across Aylsham and the surrounding villages. Whatever type of property you have, we can assess what your roof needs and carry out the work properly.
The town's conservation area contains a number of listed buildings where roof materials and detailing must be handled sensitively.
Roofing on properties of mixed age is rarely straightforward. Some older buildings have low-pitch roofs with parapet walls, where poor lead detailing can be a source of water ingress. Traditional roofs often use plain clay tiles or Welsh slate, both of which can be repaired rather than replaced wholesale if the structure beneath is sound. Getting the right material match matters for conservation reasons and for the look of the property.
Concrete interlocking tiles are common on many post-war properties. These are generally robust, but the mortar on ridge and hip sections dries out and cracks over time. Repointing or replacing the ridge is a straightforward job when caught early, but a leaking ridge left over winter can cause damage to timbers and ceilings that costs considerably more to put right.
A pitched roof repair starts with a proper inspection - from the ground with binoculars, and from the roof itself where access is safe. Faults to look out for include slipped or cracked tiles, failed mortar on ridge and hip sections, corroded lead flashings around chimney stacks, and rotten fascia boards causing gutter failure and water running back into the eaves.
Where individual tiles are slipped or broken, localised repairs are the most cost-effective approach. A full re-roof is only necessary when the batten and felt underlay have reached the end of their useful life, or when tile failures are so widespread that repair is no longer economical. We can tell you honestly which situation you are in after looking at the roof - there is no benefit in recommending a full replacement when targeted repairs will do the job.
Flat roofs appear on many extensions and garages. Traditional felt systems typically have a lifespan of around 10-15 years before blistering, cracking, or ponding water become serious problems. EPDM rubber membranes offer a longer service life and are now a well-established alternative - properly installed, an EPDM roof is highly resistant to the freeze-thaw cycles that Norfolk winters can bring.
If you are not sure what system is on your flat roof, or when it was last renewed, a visual inspection will give you a clear picture. Standing water after rain is a warning sign that falls are inadequate or the membrane has started to sag. Left unaddressed, that moisture works its way into the roof structure and the ceiling below.
Chimney stacks are a common source of roof leaks in older properties. The lead flashings that seal the junction between a chimney and the roof covering deteriorate over decades - the lead can lift, crack, or simply work loose from the mortar joint. Repointing the flashing into the brick and dressing it correctly stops water from tracking down inside the stack.
Chimney pots and the mortar haunching around them also deteriorate, and loose pots are a safety concern as well as a water ingress risk. Where a chimney breast has been removed internally but the stack remains, the pot and crown should be capped or cowled to prevent water from entering an unused flue. On listed buildings in the Aylsham conservation area, any chimney work needs to use materials that match the original construction.
Lead is also used at roof valleys, around dormer windows, and at abutments where a roof meets a wall. Step and soaker flashings at these junctions need to be formed correctly and bedded into the mortar joints - a flashing that is only surface-pointed will not last. We cut raking cuts into the mortar, tuck the lead in, and repoint over it.
Timber fascias and soffits on older Aylsham properties rot from the back, often before the face shows obvious deterioration. By the time paint is peeling and wood is visibly soft, the fixing position for the guttering is usually compromised. uPVC fascia and soffit boards are the practical replacement on most properties - they do not rot, do not need painting, and close off the gap under the eaves that birds and pests use to get into the roof space.
Guttering on older properties is often cast iron, which can be repaired and painted if it is still structurally sound, or replaced with uPVC or aluminium where it has corroded through. A blocked or overflowing gutter pushes water into the fascia and down the external wall, so keeping the system clear and properly pitched is important. We replace guttering at the same time as fascia work so that falls and joint positions are set correctly from the start.
Welsh slate was a common roofing material on many Victorian properties. It has a very long natural lifespan, but individual slates crack, nail-sick slates slip out of position, and the tails chip. Where the slates themselves are in reasonable condition, a repair using matching second-hand Welsh slate is far preferable to a full replacement or switching to a different material.
Natural slate is also used on new-build and replacement roofs where the property demands a traditional appearance. Modern Spanish and Chinese slates are available at lower cost, but thickness and texture vary - worth discussing before committing to a particular product.
We work in Aylsham and the surrounding area. If you are unsure whether a contractor covers your postcode, check before arranging a visit. If you are concerned about your roof, it is worth arranging an assessment.
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