Roof Restoration Preston
What roof restoration means
Restoration sits between a repair and a replacement. A repair deals with one problem in one place. A replacement strips the whole roof and starts again. Restoration works through the whole roof, fixing everything that has worn out, while keeping the parts that are still sound.
| Repair | Restoration | Replacement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | One problem area | The whole roof, problem by problem | The whole roof, stripped and renewed |
| Original slates or tiles | Kept | Mostly kept | Replaced |
| Best when | The roof is sound apart from one fault | The structure is sound but wear has built up | Battens, felt or covering have failed throughout |
| Cost | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
What a restoration can include
- Slipped, cracked and missing slates or tiles replaced and secured, matched to the roof.
- Ridges and hips lifted, re-bedded on fresh mortar and pointed.
- Valleys cleared, repaired or relined in lead.
- Lead flashing around chimneys, walls and roof windows renewed in Code 4 or Code 5 lead. See our leadwork roofing page.
- Chimney work: repointing, new flaunching and new flashing. See our chimney services page.
- Moss and debris cleared from the roof slopes, valleys and gutters. See our moss removal and roof cleaning page.
- Fascias, soffits and gutters repaired or replaced where they've failed.
Is your roof suitable for restoration?
Restoration makes sense when:
- The rafters and roof structure are sound.
- The battens are in reasonable condition.
- Most of the slates or tiles are still good.
- The problems are wear and tear: slipped slates, failed mortar, tired lead.
Replacement is usually better value when:
- The battens are rotten or the felt has broken down across the roof.
- Slates or tiles are failing all over, not just in places.
- Nails holding the slates have rusted through across large areas.
- Repairs keep failing in different places.
We'll look at the roof and, where we can, the loft before recommending either. If it's time for a new roof, we'll tell you why. See our roof replacement page.
How we restore a roof
- Inspect the whole roof and the loft where we can, and note every fault.
- Agree the work with you: what needs doing now and what can wait.
- Arrange safe access, usually scaffolding.
- Work through the roof methodically: covering, ridges and hips, valleys, flashing, chimney.
- Match the existing materials as closely as we can.
- Clear up, and tell you how to keep the roof in good order.
What restoration costs depends on
Every roof is different, so we quote after inspecting it. The main things that affect the price are the size and pitch of the roof, how many slates or tiles need replacing, whether the ridges, valleys and flashing need renewing, whether the chimney needs work, and the access needed. Doing everything in one visit, while scaffolding is up, usually saves money compared with several separate repairs.
Restoring slate roofs
Natural slate can last a very long time, and many of Preston's older roofs still have their original slates. Often the slates themselves are fine, but the nails holding them have rusted through, so slates slip. Restoring a slate roof means refixing slipped slates, replacing broken ones with matching slate and dealing with the ridges, valleys and flashing. We use Welsh and Spanish slate. See our slate roofing page.
Restoring tiled roofs
Clay and concrete tiled roofs usually need attention at the ridges and hips, where the mortar cracks and washes out, and where tiles have slipped or cracked. Matching older tiles can be harder than matching slate. Where an exact match isn't available, we'll explain the options before work starts. See our tile roofing page.
What about spray coatings?
Some roofs are offered a spray coating as a "restoration". A coating on its own doesn't refix slipped slates, re-bed failed ridges, renew failed lead or replace rotten battens. Whatever approach you consider, make sure the faults underneath have been dealt with first, because that's what keeps the water out. Our restoration work deals with each fault directly, so the roof works the way it was designed to.
Restoration on older and period homes
On period homes, restoring the original roof is often better than replacing it. It keeps the character of the house, and in a conservation area or on a listed building, like-for-like repairs are usually expected. If you're unsure, check with Preston City Council before work starts. See our period property roofing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is roof restoration cheaper than a new roof?
Usually, yes, as long as the roof structure, battens and most of the covering are sound. We'll tell you if replacement would be better value.
How long will a restored roof last?
It depends on the condition of what's kept. We'll give you an honest view after we've inspected it.
Can you match old slates and tiles?
We match materials as closely as we can. On older roofs an exact match isn't always possible, and we'll explain the options.
Do you restore chimneys as part of the work?
Yes. Repointing, new flaunching and new lead flashing are often part of a roof restoration.
Does roof restoration need building regulations approval?
It depends on how much of the roof is renewed. Re-roofing usually does; smaller repairs usually don't. We'll explain what applies to your roof.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Call 07742 720 236 for a free quote.
Older roof in Preston?
Call Danny on 07742 720 236 or request a free quote. For all our restoration work, see our building restoration service page.