Roof repairs for slate and tiled roofs
Most roof problems start small: a slipped slate, a cracked ridge tile or a lifted flashing that lets water track into the loft. Repairing it promptly protects ceilings, timbers and insulation below. This page covers repairs to pitched roofs; flat roofs have their own page. ADB SW carries out building repairs across South Devon. Send photographs of the problem, where water appears inside and the age of the roof if you know it.
Finding the cause of a roof leak
Water rarely appears directly below the point where it gets in. It can run along felt, rafters or the top of a wall before showing as a stain on a ceiling. A proper inspection looks at the roof covering, the loft space and the junctions where most leaks begin: chimneys, valleys, abutments with walls, roof windows and the ridge.
Gutters and downpipes deserve a look at the same time. An overflowing gutter can soak the top of a wall and look very much like a roof leak from inside. Identifying the actual cause before work starts avoids paying for repairs in the wrong place, and it means the quote describes what is wrong rather than a guess.
Common pitched roof repairs
Pitched roof repairs usually involve replacing slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles, re-fixing or rebedding ridge and hip tiles, and renewing worn flashings or valley linings. Where battens have rotted or nail fixings have failed across an area, a section may need stripping and relaying with new battens and membrane rather than patching one slate at a time.
Matching materials matters. Natural slate, concrete tiles and clay tiles each behave differently, and an older roof may use sizes or profiles no longer common. Reclaimed slates or carefully chosen alternatives can keep a repair from standing out. Mortar-bedded ridges are common on older houses, while dry-fix systems are often used when ridges are renewed.
Access, safety and weather
Safe access is part of every roof repair. Small, low-level repairs may be reachable with suitable access equipment, but many jobs need scaffolding, particularly on taller houses, steep slopes or where work runs along an edge. Scaffolding affects the cost and the programme, so the quote should state what access is allowed for and for how long.
Weather plays a part on exposed sites near the coast. Roof work is planned around wind and rain, and any opened area is protected before the end of each day. If a leak is active, a temporary measure may be needed while materials are sourced, followed by the permanent repair once conditions allow.
Repair or replace?
A sound roof with an isolated defect is usually worth repairing. When slates are failing across a whole slope, nails have rusted widely or the battens and felt beneath have deteriorated, repeated repairs become poor value and a partial or full re-roof may make more sense. An honest inspection should explain which situation you are in and why.
For an enquiry, send photographs from the ground and inside the loft if it is safe to look, describe when the leak appears, and mention any previous repairs. ADB SW can discuss the scope and provide a written quote. Our roof repair cost guide explains the factors that shape the price.
Common questions
How do you find where a roof is leaking?
By inspecting the roof covering, the loft and the junctions where leaks usually start, such as chimneys, valleys, flashings and the ridge, and by checking gutters that can mimic a roof leak.
How long do roof repairs take?
Small repairs can often be completed quickly once access is in place. Larger sections, scaffolding and sourcing matching slates or tiles add time, and the weather affects scheduling.
What affects the cost of roof repairs?
Access and scaffolding, the roof covering, how much area is affected, the condition of battens and felt beneath, and any chimney or flashing work. Our roof repair cost guide covers this in more detail.
Do you repair flat roofs too?
Flat roofs are covered on our flat roofing page, which explains repair and replacement of felt, EPDM and GRP coverings.
Tell us about your project
Send the property details and the work you have in mind so the scope can be discussed before a quote is agreed.