Brandon Roofers installs new pitched roofs for homeowners in Soham, and once the job is done, a little straightforward aftercare will keep it performing well for decades.
Having a new roof fitted is one of the most significant jobs a homeowner will undertake. The materials are built to last, but no roof is entirely maintenance-free. A small amount of attention at regular intervals will prevent the minor issues that, left unnoticed, turn into costly repairs.
This page covers what a new pitched roof involves, what it costs in broad terms, and then goes into practical detail on the aftercare and simple checks that will keep your roof in good order for years after the work is done.
A full re-roof starts with stripping back all the old tiles, battens and underlay. The timber structure underneath is checked; any rafter or purlin that is rotten or undersized should be replaced before new materials go on. A breathable membrane underlay is laid first, then treated battens at the correct gauge for the tile or slate being used. The chosen covering goes on from eaves to ridge, and all lead work at chimneys, dormers and abutments is renewed or properly dressed.
A new pitched roof on a typical detached or semi-detached house generally costs between £5,000 and £15,000 depending on size, pitch, material choice and the extent of any lead or chimney work. Those are indicative figures; a survey is the only reliable basis for a price.
We work from Brandon and cover Soham and the surrounding area, using clay tiles, concrete tiles and natural slate depending on what suits the property and any planning requirements.
The lifespan of a new roof depends partly on the material used. Natural slate, properly fixed, can last well over a century; some Victorian slate roofs are still performing. Clay tiles have a similarly long expected life. Concrete tiles are shorter-lived but still rated for several decades under normal conditions. Breathable membrane underlays installed on new roofs today are generally rated by their manufacturers for 50 years or more; the old bitumen felt underlays on older roofs dried out far sooner, which is why underlay failure is such a common reason for re-roofing.
Knowing what your roof is made from and its expected service life helps you plan maintenance sensibly.
Once a new roof is finished, the first year is a useful time to pay attention. Mortar on ridge and hip tiles needs time to cure fully; in the first winter, it is worth checking from the ground that no ridge tiles have moved after heavy frost or wind. New lead flashings should be checked that they are still tight against chimney stacks or abutments after the first season of temperature change.
Any reputable roofer should be contactable if something looks wrong in the first weeks. If you notice a tile that appears to have slipped or a section of ridge that looks uneven after the first winter, report it promptly rather than waiting.
You do not need to get onto the roof yourself. A careful look from the ground with a pair of binoculars once a year, ideally in autumn before the worst of the winter weather, will pick up most visible problems before they develop into leaks. Look for:
A check from inside the loft in winter is also worthwhile. Look for daylight showing through (there should be none), damp patches on the underside of the underlay, and any timber that feels soft to the touch.
Moss is the most common maintenance issue on pitched roofs. It holds moisture against the tile surface, accelerates frost damage in winter, and can work its way under tile laps if left to grow thick. A common problem is homeowners or contractors pressure-washing moss off, which can displace tiles, damage the tile surface and force water under the covering. Pressure washing is not recommended on pitched roofs.
A biocide treatment applied by a roofer, which kills the moss and allows it to wash away naturally over time, is a safer approach. Some roofers also offer dry-brushing of moss before treatment. If your new roof is in a shaded position or a damp microclimate, moss may start to establish within a few years; treating it early is far easier than dealing with a thick mat later.
Blocked gutters are directly linked to roof problems. When a gutter is full of leaves and debris, water backs up and sits against the fascia board and the lowest tiles. Over time this rots the fascia, lifts the underlay at the eaves and allows damp into the rafters. Keeping gutters clear is one of the single most effective things a homeowner can do to extend the life of a new roof.
Gutters should be cleared at least once a year in autumn, and again in spring if there are trees nearby. Check that downpipes are flowing freely; a blocked downpipe will cause a gutter to overflow even if the gutter itself is clear.
Chimney stacks are a maintenance point in their own right. Mortar pointing on the chimney cap and between the brickwork can crack and drop out over time, allowing water into the stack. Lead flashings around the base of the stack are the seal between the roof covering and the masonry; if they lift or crack, water can track down into the roof space without showing as an obvious leak for some time.
Check the chimney and its flashings visually each year. If the lead is pulling away from the mortar joint, or the pointing on top of the stack is crumbling, arrange for it to be re-pointed and the flashing re-dressed before water finds its way in.
Some things should not be left until the next annual check. If you see a tile slide off the roof, if there is a water stain appearing on an internal ceiling after rain, or if a section of ridge or verge looks obviously displaced, call a roofer promptly. A slipped tile is a quick fix; the water damage behind a ceiling that has been damp for three months is not.
We install new roofs from our base in Brandon and travel to Soham and the surrounding area. We also cover places including Feltwell, Methwold, Hockwold cum Wilton and Lakenheath. Call us to arrange a roof survey or to ask about aftercare on a recent installation.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
