Roof tiling and tiled roof repairs
The post-war housing round here is mostly under concrete interlocking tile, and those roofs are now at an age where things start going.
Concrete tiles are tough but they are not permanent. They get porous, they go soft at the edges, and the ridge bedding that holds the top of the roof together gives up long before the tiles do.
- Covering
- East Lancashire & Craven
- Quotes
- Free, no pressure
- Ring or text
- 07840 031508
What we do
- Replacing cracked, slipped and delaminating tiles
- Re-bedding and re-pointing ridge and hip tiles
- Dry ridge systems, which are mechanically fixed rather than mortared
- Full strip and re-tile with new battens and membrane
- Valley repairs and replacement
- Verge repairs, including dry verge systems
What goes wrong with tiled roofs
- Ridge bedding
- This is the big one. Ridge tiles were traditionally bedded on mortar, and mortar cracks. Once it has, wind gets underneath and ridges start to lift. If you can see gaps along the ridge line from the street, that needs doing before it turns into a ridge tile in somebody’s garden.
- Porous tiles
- Old concrete tiles soak up water instead of shedding it. You will see moss growing thickly and the surface going rough and flaky. Once a whole roof is like that, it is nearing the end.
- Slipped tiles
- Usually a broken nib on the tile itself, or a batten that has rotted.
- Nail sickness and batten failure
- Exactly as on a slate roof.
A note on moss and pressure washing
Moss on a tiled roof is common round here and mostly cosmetic. What is not harmless is having somebody pressure wash it off.
A pressure washer strips the surface off a concrete tile, takes the bedding out of the ridge, and forces water up under the laps. Plenty of roofs we are called to have been finished off by a jet wash rather than by weather.
If moss is genuinely causing a problem, usually by blocking gutters, it can be removed by hand or scraped. Anyone offering to blast your roof clean for a modest sum is selling you damage.
Repair or re-tile?
Tiles can be replaced individually all day, so the question is usually whether enough of them have gone, and whether the battens beneath are still holding nails.
If the ridge has failed but the tiles are sound, re-bedding or a dry ridge system is a fraction of a re-tile and buys years.
What tiling costs
- The tile itself, and whether yours is still made. Discontinued profiles mean salvage or re-tiling a whole elevation.
- Scaffold for anything beyond a handful of tiles.
- Battens, membrane and any timber repairs.
- Whether you go dry ridge, which costs more up front and does not need re-bedding again.
The things people ask us
Ridge tiles clamped down mechanically with screws and a sealing strip instead of bedded in mortar. It costs more initially and it does not crack, come loose, or need redoing in fifteen years. On an exposed roof it is usually worth it.
Salvage is often available. Failing that, the usual approach is to take sound tiles from a less visible elevation to make the front good, and use new ones where they show least.
What people said about the work
Read the reviews, then ring us and see if we match up.
Alex replaced our leaking guttering. The guttering was measured, ordered and all replaced within a week! The job was done very professionally and at a great price! Great guys, who left the area spotless, when finished. Fantastic job! Great, honest, genuine tradesman. We would highly recommend to all!!!!!
We met Alex by chance one rainy afternoon on the local canal towpath. We were both sheltering from the rain under the same bridge. My husband and I had, earlier, been discussing our garage roof which was new a few years ago, but which had been leaking for some time. We think our chance meeting with Alex was meant to happen as, for some reason, I mentioned our leaky roof to him. We have always had difficultly finding reliable…
Excellent job, lovely people, very good roofers and sensible prices
Absolutely brilliant service from start to finish. The work was completed to a really high standard they were reliable, professional and tidy throughout. It’s clear they take pride in their work, and the finished roof looks fantastic. Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy, hardworking roofer. Thank you to Alex, Jeff, Ryan & Junior Kath & Eric at Number 6
Great job done by Alex, Jason and Alfie on our chimney stack and roof. They provide a very professional friendly, service and are a pleasure to work with. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services. Thank you so much.
Excellent work done by a superb team. Alex, Geoff and Luke have done an incredible job on my roof and front of house. The roof no longer leaks (when living in Preston that's an important thing!) and the front of the house appearance has been transformed from an old tired look to a clean and more modern feel. They provide great advice, give you a quote detailing what they are going to do and then crack on and do a brilliant job…
Alex replaced our guttering, reset all the ridge tiles on the roof and capped the chimney properly. Alex and Luke were a breathe of fresh air to deal with. Alex was very friendly, he kept us informed of progress and what they were doing. He attended at the specified time and always kept everything clean and tidy. Quotes were accurate and were stuck to. Quality work throughout so if you want half a job doing don't call him. Personally I…
Alex and Geoff took great care inspecting the roof and deciding on a plan of action. Geoff and Luke worked seamlessly together to repair the numerous faults they discovered. They were cheerful and courteous at all times and were always ready to explain how the work was progressing and the issues they were dealing with as they arose. Jason and Alfie did a good job with the rendering. Photographs were provided, documenting their…
Alex and Luke have pointed our chimney and replaced pots. All the ridge tiles have been removed and replaced. Nothing has been too much trouble for these guys. We are more than happy with the end result. Totally reliable and trustworthy. Very friendly lads. I would 100% recommend their services.
Alex has just repaired chimney (putting right someone else’s bad work mainly) and ridge. Used Alex before after storm in 2022 brought guttering down on my 300 yr old cottage. Measured, made and fitted within about a week thankfully after months of others roofers either not showing or making out how difficult the job was
Very pleased indeed. Alex was responsive, helpful and, as chance would have it, was able to do the repair to the guttering at our daughter's bungalow, promptly. The charge was minimal for two tradesmen. Would certainly use again and have no hesitation in recommending him to others.
Alex and his team did a first class repair job on my roof. Excellent value for my money. Kept me informed at all stages of the job, clean and tidy on completion.
Other things we do
Roof slating
Welsh blue slate and Yorkshire stone slate. Individual slates, patch areas, and full re-slates on the stone terraces round here.
Read moreFlat roofs
Extensions, dormers, garages and porches. Repairs where a repair will hold, replacement where it will not.
Read moreGRP fibreglass roofing
A seamless fibreglass flat roof with no joints to fail. More expensive than felt, and considerably longer lasting.
Read more