A leak, loose tiles or a roof that needs replacing? Start with a survey so you know which work is needed.
Start with a roof surveyA roof needs more than sound tiles or metal sheets. We also look at the edges, ventilation and drainage, where water can get in or collect.
We start by looking at what’s there. Sometimes a repair is enough. When it isn’t, we’ll talk through the materials, the details and what happens next.
Find your materialThe right job depends on what’s already there.
We start with the condition of the roof.
A damp patch doesn’t always mean a new roof. We look for failed flashing, slipped coverings and water getting in at the joints before deciding what needs replacing.
When repairs stop making sense, a replacement is a chance to address the whole roof. Covering, supporting deck, ventilation and insulation need to work together.
Flat roofs still need a fall for water to drain. Outlets, upstands and the joins around rooflights deserve a close look, whether it’s an extension or a commercial building.
Overflowing gutters can soak walls even when the covering is sound. We look at how water leaves the roof, along with the condition of fascias, soffits and exposed edges.
You don’t need to know the technical name. Choose the closest description for a few useful things to note.
Keep observations to ground level or a safely accessible room. Don’t climb onto the roof.
A stain on the ceiling may be some distance from where water entered. Note whether it happens in every shower or only in wind-driven rain, and whether it is near a chimney, rooflight or outside wall.
These are pointers for a conversation, not a diagnosis. A survey is needed to understand the cause.
Use this in my sample requestThree architectural studies.
Stock photography, not completed Summit projects.
The roof extends over the upper floor and verandas. Against the pale walls, its pitch and edges are easy to see.
This small cabin has a steep, red roof. It shows how much the roof colour and pitch affect the appearance of a compact building.
Compare a roofing sample with the walls and surroundings, rather than choosing a colour on its own.
Select a material to compare its appearance.
The drawing is illustrative, not a product specification.
The raised seams make metal roofing easy to recognise. Ask about the finish, fixings and how the sheets will expand and contract as the temperature changes.
A roof is a system. These are some of the
places we would look at during a survey.
Exploded roof illustration. Layers and spacing are simplified; this is not a construction detail.
Tiles, slate or metal shed most of the rain. Pitch, exposure and the building’s structure all affect which covering is suitable.
Underlay and the supporting deck form part of the weather protection. Their condition may only become clear when the covering is lifted.
Ventilation and insulation need to suit the roof’s construction. Condensation can cause damp even where rain isn’t getting in.
Flashing seals junctions, while gutters and outlets carry water away. Check those details before blaming the whole roof.
Before work starts, you should know what is being done, what it costs and how the roof will be protected.
Start the conversationWe look at the covering, the edges and what’s underneath. Tell us where you’ve noticed a leak or a draught. Small details often explain the bigger problem.
The scope should explain what stays, what goes, and which materials we recommend. We’ll talk through access, timing and what might change once the old roof comes off.
Flashing, drainage and the last row of fixings matter. At handover, we walk through the work and explain how to care for the roof.
Every roof is different. A survey and a written scope should answer the questions a website can’t.
Try the survey requestNot necessarily. A local failure around flashing, a rooflight or a slipped tile may be repairable. Repeated repairs, widespread wear or problems with the supporting structure need a broader assessment.
Roof area is only one part. Access, pitch, materials, scaffolding, disposal and the condition underneath also matter. Ask for the scope and exclusions in writing, including how unexpected work would be agreed.
That depends on the work and the building. Discuss noise, dust, safe access, pets and protection of rooms below before agreeing a programme. The contractor should explain which areas need to stay clear.
Roofing schedules depend on safe conditions and the materials being installed. Ask how the exposed roof would be protected, how weather delays are communicated and what happens to the agreed schedule.
Look for the work area, specified materials, access arrangements, waste removal and exclusions. Any warranty terms, payment stages and method for approving changes should be written down rather than assumed.
This is a Firmitas demonstration, not a trading roofing company. The form lets you preview a request, but there is no booking or submission. Please don’t enter personal information.
Tell us where you noticed the problem and when it happens. You do not need to know which repair it needs.