The Problem
This customer was the victim of a well-known door-to-door scam. Traders told him he simply had some slipped tiles that they could replace for a relatively cheap price. Once scaffold was up, they damaged the roof and tried to extract more and more money from him. Thankfully he realised they were scammers and contacted us on the recommendation of a close friend we had worked with before.
We explained that the roof itself was the original: the clay tiles had become porous and the nibs were deteriorating and falling off the battens, and there was no underlay. We offered to repair the most urgent areas, but recommended replacement sooner rather than later. The customer compared both options and, because of the trust he had in us, asked us to replace the roof so he would not face the stress later in life.
The Challenge
The property is next to a busy motorway, so there was no driveway access. We had to load 5,000 tiles by hand into the front garden and remove all of the old roof covering by hand, using a mobile rubbish collection company. It was a very labour-intensive job.
Work Carried Out
- New treated timber battens
- High-quality vapour-permeable breathable membrane
- Marley Acme plain clay tiles
- Fascia over-vents for eaves-level ventilation, and eaves protection trays
- Vent tiles on each face of the roof
- A dry-ridge system
- New code 4 lead step flashing to both chimneys
The Result
A fully replaced, ventilated clay tile roof that protects the property for decades, and a customer who got honest advice instead of a scam. If a stranger knocks on your door and says your roof needs urgent work, say no thank you and call a local roofer you trust.
How to Protect Yourself
If someone knocks on your door claiming there is a problem with your roof, say no thank you. Ask a trusted local roofer to inspect it, get an itemised written quote, and never agree to work on the doorstep. Read our guide: how to spot a roofing scam.
Why Replace Rather Than Repair?
With the tiles porous, the nibs failing and no underlay, repairs would only have been temporary. The customer weighed up both options and chose to replace the roof.
Questions About This Job
What are vent tiles and eaves protection trays?
Vent tiles let air move through the roof space, and eaves protection trays direct water into the gutter, protecting the timbers at the eaves.
What is a dry-ridge system?
A mechanical fixing for ridge tiles that replaces cracking mortar.
See our tile roofing service.
Been Approached by Door-to-Door Traders?
Do not agree to work on the doorstep and do not let anyone put scaffold up before you have a written, itemised quote. If you are worried that work has already started, call us on any day and we can give an independent opinion on the roof as it stands. See our roof repairs page or contact us.
