One of the most common questions we're asked in Folkestone is simple: "Does this need a repair, or do I need a whole new roof?" It's a fair question, because the difference in cost is huge. Here's how we think about it when we're up a ladder, so you can judge where your own roof sits.
Signs a repair will do
If the roof is generally sound and the problem is local, a repair is almost always the right call. Look for:
- A handful of slipped, cracked or missing tiles after a windy spell
- A single leak that traces back to one spot, such as a chimney or a valley
- Flashing that has lifted or split around the chimney or an abutment
- A small area of damaged felt or a loose ridge tile
These are the bread and butter of roof repairs and rarely cost more than a few hundred pounds.
Signs you may need a new roof
Some patterns point to a covering that has simply reached the end of its life. Patching it repeatedly becomes a false economy:
- Leaks appearing in several different places, not just one
- Widespread cracked, crumbling or de-laminating tiles
- Sagging areas in the roofline (a sign of trouble in the timbers below)
- Daylight visible through the roof in the loft across a wide area
- You're calling a roofer out for "one more patch" every year
If that sounds familiar, it's worth pricing up a re-roof and comparing it against what you've spent on repairs over the last few years.
The coastal factor in Folkestone & Hythe
Roofs near the sea work harder. Salt-laden air and strong onshore winds wear coverings and fixings faster than inland, so a roof in Sandgate or on the Folkestone seafront may need attention a little sooner than the same roof a few miles inland. It's worth a look after any big storm.
The honest answer
A good roofer will tell you straight. If a repair will genuinely sort it, that's what we'll recommend - there's no sense replacing a sound roof. If the covering is failing, we'll show you why and what a replacement would involve. Either way you get a free, written quote with no pressure.