FAQ

No, not at all. Slates can quite easily be put back into their original position and fixed in place using lead tabs.

Not with the actual dry verge themselves, but it is quite common with the installation of them. Dry verge have a top and bottom, slot and slide feature on them. If either the top or bottom of the dry verge are not in the slot correctly then they will not stay in position for long, and will start to look like they are hanging off.

Yes. A preformed fibre glass bonding gutter will need to be installed above the partition wall separating both properties. You simply tile and slate both roofs to the centre point of the bonding gutter and it will then act as a soakaway for any rainwater in between the two roofs. It’s not visible, and is a very effective and neat solution to this type of problem.

While they are both good flat roofing products in their own right, the main difference in the two as got to be the lifespan and durability of both systems. A torch-on flat roof will need to be maintained and looked after on an annual basis and will probably last 15 years if done so. GRP needs no maintenance at all, can be hit with heavy debris and can not be cut with a knife or sharp object. As a flat roofing product, it as now been in use for 30 years. And flat roofs done in GRP 30 years ago are still going strong today. That alone means for every single GRP roof installation, you will need to do a torch-on roof installation twice, and who knows, maybe three times. In the long term, it is a value for money product.

Yes. By starting at the top of the valley and working down either side, enough slate/tile need to be removed (usually two) to expose the edges of the valley boards and the fixings holding the lead in situ. The lead can then easily be removed and replaced with new. The slate/tile can then be reinstated and the ridge bedded and pointed as before.

Obviously, each roof is different and taken on its own merits. Whether it’s a slate, tile or fat roof there is usually something that can be done to repair and prolong the roofs lifespan. By replacing broken or damaged slate/tile or patching and sealing a flat roof you can achieve this. The problem will be the condition of the battens or the flat roofing boards, and whether or not they can still take the weight of the roofing products sitting on them. If they are rotten and in a dangerous state then you will be looking at a full re-roof unfortunately

No, it will not last anywhere near as long as lead. Flashband should only be used as a temporary repair to alleviate water penetration while the correct programme of repair is being finalised, or you are waiting for a start date to renew your leadwork. Flashband will only last a couple of years weathering before it begins to crack and fail.

It seems like your eaves are missing or broken in areas. There are 2 ways of dealing with this problem. You can install plastic eaves trays beneath your existing 1st course of slate, or your roof needs to be stripped out in a ‘v’ section to allow access for new slate eaves to be reinstated to your roof. The roof can then be re-slated with minimal lead tabbing visible.

Not necessarily. The problem could be down to a blocked outlet or gutters. Or worst case scenario, incorrect fall of the guttering. All three are not major problems and can be rectified quite easily.

You may need a lead saddle installing beneath your ridge. A lead saddle is an essential part of your leadwork when a home has a chimney that sits at the apex of the roof, and acts as a bridge between the front and rear slate soakers or tile flashings on your chimney.