Cambridge Roofers carries out roof repairs for homeowners in St Ives, covering everything from a single slipped tile to a full flashing replacement.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Roof repairs cover any targeted work that stops water getting in and keeps the existing roof structure sound. We repair leaking roofs, replace broken or slipped tiles, repoint ridge sections, and cut out and re-lead failed flashings. Where a repair is the right answer, that is what we quote. We do not push for a full re-roof if a well-executed fix will solve the problem.
For homeowners in St Ives and the surrounding area, getting the diagnosis right from the start saves time and money.
The material used for a repair matters as much as the workmanship. Using a substitute that does not match the existing roof, or a quick-fix product where a proper repair is needed, leads to a repeat call-out within a few years. Below is an honest guide to the main materials involved in common roof repairs.
Pitched roofs are often covered with either clay or concrete tiles. They behave differently and age differently, which affects how repairs are approached.
Clay tiles are the older standard. Handmade clay tiles in particular can last well over a hundred years if the battens and felt beneath them are in good order. The main risk with clay is that old tiles are brittle and can crack if walked on carelessly. Matching a replacement tile to an existing clay roof can be difficult because the colour and profile of older clay tiles varies by manufacturer and era. A good roofer will try to source a close match rather than leaving a patch that stands out. Where an exact match is not available, reclaimed tiles are often the best option.
Concrete tiles became the standard from the 1960s onwards and are still widely used. They are heavier than clay and more uniform in size, which makes matching easier for newer roofs. However, concrete tiles become porous as they age and can absorb water rather than shedding it. Surface breakdowns and colour changes are a sign that the tile is past its best. Replacing a small number of concrete tiles is straightforward; replacing the whole roof covering is a larger job but sometimes the more cost-effective answer on a 40-year-old roof.
Slate is a premium material that, when properly fixed, lasts for generations. It is found on older properties and on higher-specification new builds. Repairing a slate roof requires sourcing matching slate - thickness, colour and grain all vary by quarry of origin - and using the right fixing method.
Slates are fixed with copper or stainless-steel nails into timber battens. A common repair method for a single slipped or cracked slate is to use a lead or copper tab (sometimes called a tingle) to hold the replacement in position where nailing through from above is not possible without disturbing the courses above. This is an accepted and long-lasting repair method when done correctly.
The honest caveat with slate repairs is cost. Natural slate is more expensive per unit than concrete tile, and sourcing a matching slate for an older roof takes more time. If a significant proportion of the slates on a roof are delaminating or cracking, a full re-slating is often better value than repeated patch repairs.
Lead is the standard material for flashings - the seals between the roof covering and a chimney, dormer wall, parapet or roof valley. It is used because it is durable, malleable and long-lasting when properly fitted. Code 4 lead (about 1.8 mm thick) is the minimum for most flashing applications; code 5 is used where the lead is more exposed or covering a wider area.
Pros of lead: Properly fitted lead flashings can last 50 to 80 years or more. Lead can be dressed precisely to the profile of a chimney or wall. It accommodates thermal movement without cracking when it is installed in correctly sized sections with expansion gaps.
Cons of lead: It is the most expensive flashing option. It also has some theft risk on certain properties. Lead that has been installed in oversized sections without expansion joints will buckle and crack, so the quality of installation matters greatly.
A common problem on older properties is a flashing that has been covered over with mortar or a bitumen-based sealant rather than properly re-dressed. These fixes mask the problem for a season or two but do not hold. If your chimney or parapet has had mortar or sealant applied over the flashing, it is worth having the whole detail inspected rather than adding another layer on top.
Zinc and aluminium are used as alternatives to lead in some situations, particularly on lower-pitched details or where lead is considered a theft risk. Zinc has a similar lifespan to lead when correctly installed. Aluminium is lighter and less expensive but requires care in selection because some alloys are not compatible with certain mortars or tile coatings.
These materials are less commonly stocked by general builders' merchants, so a roofer using them needs to be familiar with the correct fixing and jointing methods. They are a legitimate option but not universally appropriate for every flashing situation.
Ridge tiles are bedded and pointed in mortar. The mortar used matters. A mix that is too rich in cement is brittle and will crack as the ridge tiles move with temperature changes. The correct mix is a sand and cement mortar at approximately 3:1 or 4:1, sometimes with a plasticiser. Some roofers now use a flexible ridge system with dry-fix clips rather than mortar, which avoids the cracking issue entirely.
Mortar repointing: Lower cost, widely available, proven. Needs to be checked every 15 to 20 years and repointed as the mortar degrades.
Dry-fix ridge systems: More expensive upfront. Uses plastic or aluminium clips and a ventilated end cap. No mortar to crack. Better suited to exposed or windy positions. Some manufacturers publish typical lifespans of 40 years or more for the components, though actual performance depends on installation quality.
Where a ridge has been repointed multiple times and the mortar is beginning to debond from the tiles, a dry-fix system is worth considering as a longer-term solution rather than a further repoint.
Flat roofs on extensions, garages and bay windows use different materials to pitched roofs. The two most common systems in use for repairs are built-up felt and EPDM rubber.
Built-up felt is the traditional flat roof covering, typically laid in two or three layers. It is reliable when properly installed but has a shorter lifespan than some alternatives. Felt can be repaired with a compatible torch-on or cold-applied patch if the damage is localised and the existing felt is otherwise sound. If the felt is cracked, brittle or lifting across more than a small area, a full strip and re-cover is usually more cost-effective than patching.
EPDM rubber is a single-ply membrane that has become a popular flat roof covering for smaller areas like extensions and garage roofs. It is flexible, handles temperature changes well and does not require heating to apply. A good quality EPDM membrane, correctly bonded to the deck, can last 25 to 30 years or more. Repairs to EPDM are carried out with a compatible adhesive and patch tape, and the repaired area is effectively invisible once done. EPDM is generally more expensive to install than felt but typically costs less over its lifetime due to lower maintenance requirements.
Roof repair costs vary with the job, but as a general guide for the East of England:
These are honest current ranges, not minimum prices. Scaffolding requirements, roof pitch, access and material specification all affect the final figure. Any written quote should set out exactly what is included.
When a roofer recommends a particular material, it is reasonable to ask:
A roofer who can explain their material choice in plain language is more likely to be making the right recommendation than one who simply says "that's what we use".
We carry out roof repairs for homeowners in St Ives and across the wider area, including Cambridge, Histon, Impington, Girton, Cambourne, and further afield. If you have a repair that needs looking at, call us to arrange a roof survey and we will give you a straight assessment of what needs doing and what materials are the right choice for your roof.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
