The Problem
This full re-roof in Up Hatherley, Cheltenham, started with a leak. Water was running down an internal wall inside the house, and the homeowners wanted to know where it was coming from.
From the ground, the roof looked tired but mostly intact. There were no obvious missing tiles, which is common with this kind of leak. The damage was hidden underneath.
What Our Inspection Found
We inspected the roof, including drone photos of every slope. Then we lifted tiles to look at what lay beneath. The problem soon became clear.
- The old-style bitumen felt under the tiles had perished and torn
- Many of the battens holding the tiles had rotted
- Water getting past the tiles was no longer being carried to the gutter
- Instead, it was running into the structure and down the internal wall
This is why roof leaks often appear a long way from the actual damage. Our article on why roof leaks appear far away from the damage explains how water travels.
With the felt and battens failing across the whole roof, patch repairs would only have moved the leak somewhere else. We recommended a full re-roof.
The Solution
Our team stripped the old tiles, perished felt and rotten battens from each slope. With the roof open, we could check the timbers and make sure the structure was sound.
We then fitted a new breathable membrane and new treated battens. Modern membranes let moisture escape from the roof space while keeping rain out, so the problem that caused the original leak is designed out.
Finally, the roof was covered with new dark grey interlocking concrete tiles. We worked carefully around the dormers, the porch roof and the edges to keep every junction watertight.
The Result
The house now has a completely new roof from membrane to ridge. The before and after drone photos show a dramatic change, with the old brown tiles replaced by a smart dark grey finish that suits the house.
More importantly, the leak down the internal wall has stopped. The homeowners have a sound, dry roof and a 20-year guarantee on the work.
Roofing in Up Hatherley
Up Hatherley has lots of 1960s and 1970s homes, and many still have their original felt and battens. If you notice damp patches or water marks on walls or ceilings, it is worth having the roof checked before the damage spreads. We also cover gutter repairs in Up Hatherley.
Need a roof replacement in Cheltenham? Contact us for a free survey and quote.
