When a repair usually makes sense
- The problem is in one area: a few slipped tiles, a cracked ridge, a failed flashing
- The tiles or slates are generally sound and not crumbling
- The underlay seen from the loft is intact
- The roof hasn't needed repeated repairs in different places
- Battens are firm and not rotten
When replacement starts to make more sense
- You're calling a roofer for new leaks in different places each year
- Tiles are delaminating, crumbling or slipping across many areas
- The felt has perished or is missing, so the roof relies on the tiles alone
- Battens are rotten or slate nails are failing widely (nail fatigue)
- There's visible sagging along the roof line
- You're planning other work, such as a loft conversion, that will disturb the roof anyway
The middle ground
It isn't always all or nothing. Options in between include re-roofing a single slope that faces the weather, replacing the membrane and battens while reusing sound tiles, or converting ridges and verges to a mechanically fixed dry system.
On flat roofs, a sound deck with an ageing covering may suit an overlay or liquid system, whereas a soft, rotten deck means stripping and starting again.
Thinking about cost over time
A repair costs less today. But if you're paying for access equipment and callouts every year, the total can add up. A replacement is a bigger outlay but resets the whole roof system. Scaffold is often a significant part of any larger roof job, so combining work, such as roofline, chimney and roof at the same time, can make sense.
We don't publish prices because every roof differs in size, pitch, access, materials and condition. A free written quotation is the only accurate way to compare options.
Questions to ask your roofer
- What exactly is causing the problem, and can you show me photos?
- Is the rest of the roof in good condition?
- What would a repair involve, and how long is it likely to last?
- If replacement, what materials do you recommend and why?
- What does the quotation include: scaffold, waste, timber repairs, leadwork?
- What guarantee, if any, applies, and is it in writing?
- Will this need building control involvement?
Our approach
Weathershield inspects first and explains plainly. If a repair will do the job, we'll say so. If replacement is better value, we'll explain why and show you the evidence. Any guarantee depends on the job and is set out in your written quotation.