Roof Repairs in Peterborough

A city of very different roofs

Peterborough grew in stages, and you can read that history on its rooftops. Close to the centre there are older terraced streets with slate or clay-tiled roofs, chimneys on most houses and lead or mortar detailing at the junctions. Further out, the new-town expansion of the 1970s and 1980s brought large estates such as Bretton, Orton, Paston and Werrington, built quickly with concrete interlocking tiles, mortar-bedded ridges and verges, and a great many flat-roofed garages and porches. More recently, Hampton added thousands of newer homes with modern tiles, dry-fix ridge systems and plastic verge units.

That mix matters, because a repair that suits a Victorian terrace is not the right answer for a 1980s estate house, and a newer home at Hampton usually needs something different again. We look at the age and construction of the roof first, then recommend a repair that suits it.

The repairs Peterborough roofs tend to need

On the estates, many concrete tiles are now forty years old or more. The tiles themselves are often still serviceable, but their surface has worn, nibs can break, and fixings corrode, so tiles slip in strong wind. Mortar on ridges and verges is usually the first thing to go: it cracks, loses its grip and falls into the gutter, leaving ridge tiles loose and verge edges open to driving rain. Where that has happened we rebed ridges properly or, where it suits the roof, fit a mechanically fixed dry ridge and verge system that does not rely on mortar at all.

Flat roofs are the other big theme. Extensions, garages, porches and dormers across the city were often covered in traditional felt, which blisters, splits and lifts at the edges as it ages. Small defects can sometimes be patched, but when a felt roof has reached the end of its life, replacing it is better value than chasing leaks. We fit EPDM rubber and torch-on felt; see flat roofing in Peterborough for more on those options.

On older houses, failed flashing round chimneys and against walls is a common source of damp on chimney breasts and upstairs ceilings. Valleys collect leaves, moss and debris, and a blocked valley overflows under the tiles in heavy rain. Gutters that are blocked, sagging or broken send water down the walls instead of away from the house. All of these are repairable when caught early.

Repair or re-roof? An honest answer

Most of the calls we take in Peterborough end in a repair, not a new roof. If the covering is sound and the problem is local, such as a few slipped tiles, a loose ridge, a split in a flat roof or a tired flashing, a repair is the right call and we will say so.

There are times when repairs stop making sense. If tiles are failing all over a slope, the underlay beneath has perished, battens are rotten or the roof has been patched repeatedly and still leaks, more repairs simply spread the cost of a new roof over several bills. When that is the case we explain why, show you the evidence and give you prices for both options so you can decide. You will never be pushed into a re-roof you don't need.

If water is coming in right now, read our guide to what to do about a roof leak after heavy rain, then call us.

How a repair visit works

First we inspect the roof and find the real cause, which is not always directly above the stain on the ceiling. Water can travel along felt, rafters and timbers before it shows. We take photos of what we find so you can see the problem for yourself rather than taking our word for it.

You then get a clear written quote that says exactly what we will do and what it costs, with no vague lines and no surprises. Once you are happy, we carry out the repair using materials that match or suit your roof, clear up properly, and show you the finished work. Every repair is guaranteed. Full details of our general approach are on our roof repairs page.

When it can't wait

Storms do not keep office hours. We offer 24/7 emergency call-outs, so if wind has lifted tiles or ridges, or water is coming through a ceiling, call 07862 885143 and we will help make the roof safe and watertight before a permanent repair. More detail is on our emergency roof repairs page.

What Peterborough customers say

“Danny and the team came and fitted a EPDM rubber roof for me in Peterborough. Really happy with the finish and the overall service was professional. I would recommend.” — Sam F., Google review

We are based in Littleport, but Peterborough is a regular part of our working week, and we treat every job there with the same care we would give a roof on our own street.