Roofing advice,
from the scaffold.
Plain-English guides from 20+ years of fixing roofs across Bath, Somerset and north Wiltshire. No jargon, no sales pitch — just what we'd tell you if you were at our kitchen table.
How to tell if a roofing quote is fair — a homeowner's checklist
Comparing roofing quotes is hard. Here's a practical framework for telling a fair quote from a cheap one and from a rip-off, with the questions worth asking every roofer.
Read articleuPVC vs cast iron gutters — which to choose for a Bath house
Gutters aren't glamorous but they matter. The choice between modern uPVC and traditional cast iron changes the look, the maintenance, and the cost.
Read articleLeaking gutter or failed joint — what's actually wrong
Most gutter problems are simple once you know what to look for. Here's how to spot what's actually going on, what's a quick fix, and what needs replacing.
Read articleWhy we don't install GRP fibreglass flat roofs
GRP is a legitimate flat roof system with skilled installers. We just don't use it. Here's why, and what we recommend instead.
Read articleSingle-ply vs felt vs EPDM — which flat roof is right for you
Modern flat roof materials compared: how they work, what they cost relative to each other, how long they last, and which one suits your situation.
Read articleFlat roof problems that won't go away — and why
If you've patched your flat roof twice and it's still leaking, the problem isn't the patch. Here's what's actually going on.
Read articleWhat to expect when you re-roof a period property
A re-roof on a Victorian terrace or Georgian townhouse isn't the same as a re-roof on a 1990s estate house. Here's what's different, what to plan for, and how long it takes.
Read articleChoosing the right roofing material for a Bath stone house
Not every roofing material suits a Bath stone property. Here's how to pick the right one — and how to stay on the right side of conservation rules if you're in a listed area.
Read articleLead valleys vs GRP valleys — what's the right call
Valleys are the most stressed part of any pitched roof. Lead is the traditional material, GRP is the modern alternative. Here's when each makes sense.
Read articlePitched roof replacement — what a proper job looks like
How to tell the difference between a proper pitched roof replacement and a rushed one. The visible signs, the hidden signs, and the questions worth asking.
Read articleWhen does a repair stop making sense? Signs you need a re-roof
There's a tipping point on every old roof where repair stops being the right answer. Here are the signs you're at it — and what a proper re-roof looks like.
Read articleWhy lead flashings fail — and why hand-dressed lead matters
Lead is the traditional material for roof flashings. Why it lasts, why it sometimes doesn't, and how to tell the difference between hand-dressed and machine-rolled.
Read articleChimney stack looking tired? What to check before it gets worse
Chimneys take more weather than any other part of a roof. Most problems start small and are cheap to fix. Here's what to look for and when to worry.
Read articleFlaunching, pots and pointing — keeping your chimney weathertight
The three parts of a chimney that take the worst weather, what they do, and how to keep them doing it.
Read articleWhy we don't recommend patching a roof that's already failed
Sometimes the cheapest repair now is the most expensive option later. Here's how to tell when patching is buying time vs. throwing money away.
Read articleSlipped tile or cracked slate — what's actually wrong
These two terms cover a lot of different problems. Here's how to tell what kind of damage you've got, what caused it, and how urgent it is.
Read articleWhen to take a chimney down instead of repairing it
A chimney that's no longer used is sometimes more cost to keep than to remove. Here's how to weigh the choice.
Read articleHow to spot the early warning signs of a failing roof
Most roofs don't fail overnight. They give you months — sometimes years — of small signals. Here are the ones worth noticing before they become expensive.
Read articleStorm damage to your Bath roof — what to do in the first 24 hours
When a storm hits and your roof takes a hit, here's a calm step-by-step for what to do first, what not to do, and how to make the insurance process easier.
Read articleIs my roof leak urgent? A homeowner's guide to what can wait
Not every roof leak is an emergency. Here's how to tell which need an urgent call-out, which can wait a few days, and which you can monitor.
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