Understanding what a proper roof repair actually involves - from the first inspection to the final tidy - helps Thetford homeowners know what to expect and what to ask for.
A roof repair starts before any work is done on the roof itself. The first job is to understand what is actually wrong and why, because a repair that addresses only the visible symptom without finding the cause will fail again. A leak stain on a ceiling could come from a slipped tile, a failed flashing, a cracked ridge cap or a blocked valley - and each requires a different fix.
We inspect roofs in Thetford and the surrounding area from ground level first, using binoculars to scan the whole roof surface before committing to access. This gives a picture of the overall condition as well as the specific problem. It also identifies any secondary issues - a moss-heavy north slope, a ridge line where the mortar is opening up - that are worth flagging even if they are not the reason for the call-out.
Once a ground-level inspection is done, the roof is accessed directly. Every relevant area is checked: the tile or slate surface, the ridge and hip lines, all flashings, the valleys, the verges and the gutters at the eaves. On a property with a chimney stack, the stack itself is checked on all sides - pointing, flashings, back gutter and pot.
The distinction between symptom and cause matters practically. A tile may have slipped because the batten behind it has rotted, not just because the nib broke. Replacing the tile without replacing the batten means the new tile has nothing solid to grip. Similarly, a leak around a chimney breast that looks like a flashing failure may actually be caused by failed pointing in the brickwork above the flashing, which is directing water down behind it.
During the roof inspection, the roofer should be checking the condition of the battens in any area where tiles are being lifted, looking at the sarking felt beneath for signs of damage or saturation, and assessing whether the problem is isolated or part of a wider pattern of deterioration. A report that says only "one tile replaced" without mentioning what was found underneath is not giving you the full picture.
Safe access to the roof is not optional, and the type of access depends on the height and pitch of the roof and the nature of the repair. For most standard two-storey properties, extending ladders with stand-offs are used for chimney-level work and for accessing the ridge. Roof ladders that hook over the ridge are used when work is needed on the tile surface itself, to spread the load and avoid cracking tiles underfoot.
Scaffolding is required for more extensive repairs, for work on high or awkward elevations, and for any job where a ladder is not a safe platform for the time involved. On a property in Thetford where access is straightforward, a single slipped tile might need no more than a ladder and roof ladder. A chimney re-pointing job or a full valley re-lead is a different matter and should be done from a scaffold platform where the roofer can work steadily without overreaching.
Any roofer who proposes significant chimney or flashing work without either scaffolding or a MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) is cutting corners on access safety. It is reasonable to ask what access method will be used before work starts.
What happens on the roof depends entirely on the type of repair. Here is what each common repair type actually involves in practice.
Slipped or broken tiles: The tile above is carefully lifted using a slate ripper or tile lifter to release the clips or nibs. The damaged tile is removed, the batten is checked and replaced if necessary, and the new tile is set in position. On a plain tile roof, two rows above may need to be lifted to allow proper access. The tiles are re-seated and the roof is checked from below to confirm daylight is not visible through any gaps.
Cracked or open ridge caps: Loose or cracked ridge tiles are lifted and the old mortar is raked out. If the ridge tiles themselves are sound, they can be re-bedded in fresh mortar. Cracked tiles should be replaced rather than re-bedded, as a crack in a ridge tile will admit water even with fresh mortar below it. The new mortar is pointed neatly and left to cure before the roof is loaded again.
Lead flashing repairs: Where lead has lifted from its chase in brickwork, the old mortar is raked out of the joint, the lead is re-dressed flat, and new mortar is packed into the joint to hold it. Where lead has split or corroded through, the old section is stripped back and new lead of the correct code is cut, dressed and fixed. Step flashings around dormers and chimneys are fitted in overlapping sections that follow the course of the brickwork, each piece dressed over the one below.
Valley repairs: A leaking or blocked valley is cleared of debris first. If the existing lead liner is sound and the leak was caused purely by blockage, a thorough clean and a check of the edges may be sufficient. Where the lead is split, perforated or has lifted at the sides, re-leading the valley is the correct repair. The old lead is stripped, the boards beneath are checked for rot, and new lead is cut and laid to the correct dimensions with proper overlaps at any joints.
Flat roof repairs on garages and extensions: The damaged area is located - often a split, blister or open seam in the felt membrane. For small, isolated damage on an otherwise sound felt roof, a patch using compatible material may hold. Where the membrane is generally deteriorated, a re-cover in EPDM rubber is the lasting solution. EPDM is cut to fit, cleaned surfaces are primed, and the sheet is bonded in a single operation. Edges and penetrations are dressed and sealed before the roof is signed off.
Before access is removed, the completed repair is checked from the roof surface. Tiles are pressed to confirm they are seated properly and not rocking. Mortar joints are checked for continuity. Flashings are pressed to confirm they are flat and the mortar chase is fully packed. Any lifted debris - broken tile pieces, old mortar, lead offcuts - is collected at roof level rather than swept off the edge.
Where possible, the inside of the roof space is also checked after an active leak repair to confirm the entry point is no longer admitting water. On a flat roof repair, the surface is checked for any standing water that might indicate the repair has not addressed a fall issue.
All waste material is removed from the property. Roof debris, old tiles, lead offcuts, mortar rubble and packaging are taken away. Gutters are checked to confirm nothing has dropped in during the repair. The area around the base of the building is checked for any material that came down during access.
After every inspection and repair, we provide a written report. This sets out what was found, what was done, any materials replaced and their specification, and any further issues identified that are not yet urgent but are worth monitoring. That written record is yours to keep and to show to any future roofer or surveyor who needs to understand the history of the roof.
Call us to arrange an inspection and get the written report that tells you exactly where your roof stands.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
