Newmarket Roofers handles roof repairs of all sizes for homeowners in Burwell, from a single cracked tile to complete flashing replacements and flat roof work on extensions.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Pitched and flat roof repairs cover the most common call-outs. On pitched roofs, that means slipped, cracked or missing tiles; loose or open ridge and hip sections; split or lifted underfelt; and flashings around chimneys, dormers and parapet walls that have failed or pulled away from the masonry. On flat roofs, we repair split or blistered felt and carry out EPDM rubber installations where the existing covering has come to the end of its life.
For non-urgent work, a roofer will come and inspect the roof, explain what needs doing, and carry out the repair with the right materials. For active leaks where water is getting into the building, it is worth asking whether emergency cover is available when you call.
Replacing a few slipped or broken tiles typically costs £150 to £350, depending on tile type and how straightforward the access is. Ridge re-pointing or dry-fixing runs from around £300 for a short section. Replacing lead flashing around a chimney is generally £400 to £900 depending on the size and complexity of the stack. Flat roof felt repairs start from around £200 for a small patch; a full EPDM replacement on a typical single-storey extension is commonly £800 to £1,800. Prices vary with the size and condition of the roof.
Finding where a leak is actually entering the roof is not always straightforward. Water travels along rafters and battens before it drips onto a ceiling, so the wet patch you see inside is rarely directly below the entry point. A proper repair starts with tracing the source, not just replacing the tile that looks worst from the ground.
When tiles are lifted, the felt beneath should be checked for tears, bridging or any sign of previous water tracking. New tiles need to be matched as closely as possible to the existing ones in material, profile and colour. A mismatched repair on a visible slope can cause problems with planning officers on listed or conservation-area properties.
Ridge and hip tiles can be re-bedded in mortar or dry-fixed with a proprietary clip system. Dry-fixing is the current preferred method because it does not crack out in frost the way mortar does over time. Flashings should be properly dressed into the masonry and pointed, not filled with mastic, which cracks and lifts within a few seasons.
Some properties in the area sit within conservation areas or are listed. For a like-for-like repair, planning consent is not normally required, but changes to the roofing material or profile can trigger a requirement to check with the local authority first. If you are unsure, ask before any materials are ordered.
This section matters most when water is actively coming in and help is not immediately available. Knowing what to do in the meantime limits damage to your ceilings, walls and contents without putting you at risk.
If water is dripping from a ceiling, place a bucket or tray beneath it and lay down towels or old sheets to protect the floor. Move furniture, electrics and valuables away from the affected area. Do not try to find the source of the leak by going into the loft in heavy rain or dark conditions.
If a ceiling is bulging and holding water, there is a risk it will come down suddenly. Keep everyone out of the room and do not poke, prod or pierce it.
If it is safe to access the loft in daylight, look for where water is running or dripping. You may be able to place a bucket beneath the entry point and redirect water away from any stored items or insulation. Do not move or disturb insulation extensively, as it may be compacted and lose effectiveness. If you can see a cracked tile or open gap from inside the loft, note the position so you can describe it clearly when you call a roofer - this helps them bring the right materials.
A heavy-duty tarpaulin weighted or tied over a damaged section can reduce the amount of water getting in while you wait. Use one large enough to overlap the ridge and extend well down each side, and fix it to something solid - not to the tiles themselves, which can be lifted or cracked by a tarpaulin pulling in wind. This is a temporary measure, not a repair, but it can prevent a manageable situation from becoming a serious one.
Roof repair tape and expanding foam are sold as DIY fixes. They rarely seal a roof properly and can make a subsequent proper repair more difficult and more expensive. Use them only if you have no alternative, and tell the roofer you have used them when they arrive.
The instinct to go up and fix it is understandable, but roofs are one of the most dangerous places a homeowner can find themselves. Falls from roofs and ladders cause serious injuries every year, and the risk increases significantly on a wet or frosty surface, in poor light, or without the right footwear and equipment.
The more information you can give when you call, the better prepared we can be. Useful details include: whereabouts on the roof the problem appears to be (front, back, chimney, extension); whether you have seen tiles out of place from the ground; how long the problem has been there; and whether there is currently water coming through or just a damp stain. If you have taken a photograph from a safe position, that is genuinely helpful.
Alongside Burwell, we carry out roof repairs across Newmarket, Fordham, Kentford, Moulton, Exning, Cheveley and the surrounding villages. Call Newmarket Roofers to arrange an inspection, and we will tell you plainly what the roof needs and what it will cost.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
