Cambridge Roofers handles flat roofs, pitched roofs, repairs and full re-roofs on offices, warehouses, retail units and light industrial buildings in and around Grantchester.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
When a commercial roof develops a problem - a sudden leak, storm damage, or a membrane that has finally given up - most business owners want to do something immediately. That instinct is understandable, but acting without a clear plan can make things significantly worse and more expensive. Cambridge Roofers covers flat roofs, pitched roofs, repairs and complete re-roofs on business premises of all sizes in and around Grantchester.
This page covers the full range of commercial roofing work we carry out, and then focuses specifically on what to do while you are waiting for a contractor to attend: how to limit damage safely, and which actions are better left entirely to professionals.
We work on all types of commercial roof covering: felt and EPDM rubber membrane on flat roofs, natural slate, concrete and clay tiles, and profiled metal sheeting on pitched roofs. We carry out targeted repairs, full re-roofs, new roof installations, guttering and downpipe work, fascia and soffit replacement, leadwork at parapet walls and chimney stacks, chimney repairs, and rooflight installation and repair.
The buildings we work on include offices, warehouses, retail units, light industrial units and mixed-use commercial properties. Size is not a barrier: we handle jobs ranging from a single repair on a small office to a complete re-roof on a large industrial building.
Not every commercial roofing problem requires a full replacement. A targeted repair on an otherwise sound roof is often the right answer, and a well-done repair can add years of service at a fraction of the cost of re-roofing. Equally, continuing to patch an ageing roof that has reached the end of its practical life wastes money and delays the inevitable.
On flat roofs, felt systems typically need replacement after 15-20 years; EPDM rubber membranes last considerably longer when correctly installed. On pitched roofs, slate and tile coverings can last many decades, but nails corrode, mortar fails and flashings deteriorate at their own pace. A proper inspection tells you which situation you are in before any money is committed.
Flat roofs need correct falls to drain properly, the right substrate preparation before any membrane is laid, and properly dressed upstands and flashings at every edge and penetration. A new membrane installed over a wet or damaged deck, or with inadequate falls, will fail early regardless of how good the material is.
Leadwork at parapet walls, chimney stacks and rooflights is often the first thing to fail on an otherwise sound roof. Lead expands and contracts with temperature, and the mortar or mastic that secures it eventually opens. A gap of a few millimetres at a flashing is enough to admit water that travels unseen into the structure for months before any internal sign appears. Any roofing inspection worth having checks flashings as thoroughly as the main covering.
Blocked or broken gutters cause water to overflow against walls and behind fascias, saturating timber and masonry that then takes months to dry out properly. Rotten fascia boards allow birds and weather into the roof void. Soffits with open joints permit moisture into the structure and provide entry points for nesting birds that block ventilation.
These elements should be inspected as part of any roofing assessment, not treated as a separate job. Dealing with a failing gutter during a planned re-roof or repair avoids a second access visit and a second cost for scaffolding or platform hire.
If your commercial roof has developed an active leak or suffered storm damage, there are things you can do safely while waiting for a professional to attend, and things that are best left alone entirely. Getting this right limits the damage without creating additional problems or putting anyone at risk.
The most useful thing you can do inside the building is control where the water goes. Place buckets, trays or absorbent materials under any active drips. If water is spreading across a ceiling void or pooling on a flat ceiling, keep everyone out of that area and do not poke, prod or pierce the ceiling - it can fail suddenly under the weight of accumulated water.
Move stock, equipment and furniture away from the affected area. Document the damage with photographs before you move anything: this matters for insurance purposes and for the record of the job.
If storm damage has displaced roof tiles or sections of covering on an accessible, low-pitched roof, and you can reach the affected area safely from ground level or from a fixed structure without climbing, then temporarily covering an exposed area with a weighted tarpaulin can limit further water entry. The key word is safely: if there is any doubt about footing, structural integrity after storm damage, or working at height, do not attempt it.
On flat roofs, do not attempt to apply any sealant, mastic or repair tape yourself unless you have done it before and know what the existing membrane system is. Applying incompatible products to a membrane can prevent a proper repair later and may not provide any meaningful short-term protection either.
This is the section that genuinely matters. In an emergency, the temptation to get up on the roof and fix things is strong. In most cases, it creates additional risk and sometimes additional damage. Here is a clear list of what to leave to a professional.
When you contact Cambridge Roofers about a commercial roofing problem, we will arrange to inspect the roof properly before advising on a course of action. We look at the full roof, not just the obvious point of failure, because the visible entry point is often not where the water first got in. We will explain what we find and what we recommend, so you can make an informed decision rather than reacting to an emergency without the information you need.
For peace of mind, keep a record of what was found, what was done and what materials were used. Ask the contractor to walk you through the inspection findings before the work starts, and to touch-check any repaired areas or newly installed flashings with you when the job is complete. A reputable contractor will not hesitate to do this.
Cambridge Roofers covers Grantchester and the wider area including Cambridge, Trumpington, Histon, Impington, Milton and Ely. If your commercial roof has developed a problem, call us to arrange a proper inspection. The sooner we can see the full picture, the sooner we can give you a clear answer on what needs doing and why.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
