Norwich Roofers carries out roof repairs in Watton, helping homeowners choose the right materials and method for their roof rather than defaulting to the quickest or cheapest fix.
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Not every roofer will give you a choice of materials. Many will use whatever they have on the van or whatever is cheapest to source. But the material used in a repair affects how long the fix lasts, how it looks alongside the existing roof covering, and whether it is appropriate for the age and type of your property. Understanding your options puts you in a better position when a roofer is standing in front of you with a quote.
When a tile or slate is broken or missing, the replacement should match what is already on the roof as closely as possible - in size, profile, colour and material. A mismatched tile may seem minor but it stands out visually, and on older properties it can flag up as a point of concern in a surveyor's report.
Reclaimed tiles and slates are often the best match for older roofs and are widely used. They are salvaged from demolished buildings and graded before resale. The advantage is an authentic match; the drawback is that quality varies and a reclaimed tile has already lived part of its life. Ask your roofer where the reclaimed materials are sourced from if that matters to you.
New clay tiles are available in a range of profiles but the colour tends to be uniform and bright against a weathered existing roof. New concrete tiles are less expensive than clay but heavier, and mixing them with an original clay roof covering can look out of place. On a modern concrete-tiled roof from the 1970s or 1980s, matching with new is usually straightforward.
Natural Welsh slate is still quarried and available new, though it is more expensive than reclaimed. Spanish and Brazilian slate are also sold widely - they are less expensive but can be of variable quality, and some grades are known to delaminate faster than Welsh slate. For a small number of slates on an older roof, reclaimed Welsh slate is usually the most practical choice.
This is one of the most common decisions in domestic roof repair, and the answer is not always straightforward.
Mortar bedding is the traditional method: the ridge tiles are set in a sand and cement mix and the joints are pointed. It is well understood, widely used, and appropriate for like-for-like repairs on older roofs. The drawback is that mortar is rigid. Roofs move slightly with temperature and structural settlement, and mortar cracks over time, eventually failing and needing re-pointing or re-bedding again. On most roofs, re-bedded ridges need attention every 15 to 25 years depending on exposure.
Dry-fix ridge systems use a mechanically fixed batten and clip arrangement to hold ridge tiles in place without mortar. The system allows the roof to flex without cracking, and the ridge tiles are not going anywhere regardless of wind or thermal movement. The system also eliminates the need for future repointing. Dry fix costs more to install and requires specific compatible ridge tile profiles, so it is not always possible as a like-for-like repair on an older roof. It is, however, increasingly common on re-roofing work and on roofs where mortar failures are recurring.
Flashings seal the joint between the roof and any vertical surface - a chimney, a dormer wall, a soil pipe, a parapet. The material used for flashings affects both longevity and the quality of the seal.
Lead is the benchmark material for flashings. Code 3 lead is used for soakers and stepped flashings; Code 4 and Code 5 for aprons and cover flashings. Lead is malleable, durable and, when correctly dressed, will outlast the rest of the roof. It is also the most expensive option. On a chimney or dormer where flashings are a critical waterproof joint, lead is the right choice. Expect to pay more for lead work than for the alternatives.
Aluminium flashings are lighter and less expensive than lead. They are more resistant to thermal movement than mortar-only solutions but are generally considered less durable than lead in the long run. They are more common in commercial and flat roof applications.
Proprietary self-adhesive flashing tape (sometimes called lead-substitute tape) is sold as a repair product. It can be a reasonable temporary measure or a cost-effective fix for a minor joint. It is not a substitute for properly dressed lead on a chimney or a permanent repair on a complex junction. If a roofer proposes this as a permanent solution for a chimney flashing, ask why lead is not being used.
Mortar fillets - a bead of mortar used instead of a metal flashing - are found on older roofs. They crack and let water in repeatedly. If your property has mortar fillets and they are failing, replacing them with a proper lead flashing is worth the additional cost.
The material used for a flat roof repair or overlay has a significant bearing on how long the solution lasts.
Built-up felt is the most traditional flat roof material and the least expensive option. A good quality three-layer built-up felt system is a workmanlike solution. The drawback is that felt becomes brittle with age and UV exposure, is prone to blistering, and the laps between sheets can open up over time. A felt flat roof typically lasts 10 to 20 years depending on the specification and how well it drains.
EPDM rubber membrane is a single-ply system that is bonded to the roof deck. It is more flexible than felt, handles temperature extremes better, and is less prone to the blistering and lap failures that affect felt. A well-installed EPDM system typically outlasts felt considerably. It costs more upfront but over the life of the roof it is often better value. EPDM is now one of the most widely used materials for domestic flat roof repairs and replacements.
For a small flat roof repair - a localised blister or a lifted edge - a patch repair with compatible material is often all that is needed. For a roof where the covering is broadly failing, a full strip-and-relay or overlay is a more sensible investment than patching repeatedly.
Whatever material is used, a repair done properly addresses the cause of the failure, not just the symptom. A cracked tile replaced without checking why it cracked (impact, frost, age?) is a repair, but it may not prevent the same problem from occurring nearby. A flashing sealed with tape without addressing the failed mortar chase it sits in will leak again in a season or two.
Ask any roofer to tell you what caused the problem, what material they are using and why, and what a written record of the work will show. We carry out roof repairs in Watton and across the surrounding area including Norwich, and we will always explain the material options open to you and the honest reasons for recommending one over another.
Ask for a written report of the work carried out. Call us to discuss your roof and the material options that suit your property in Watton.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
