Roofing questions answered
340 short answers to the questions Taunton homeowners ask.
Short, direct answers to the questions people put to a roofer before work starts, from scaffold licences to party walls, written for Taunton and Somerset homes.
Roofing in general 20
- How Much Does a Roofer Charge per Day or per Hour?
- How Do You Find a Reputable Roofer?
- Can I Get a Government Grant for a New Roof?
- Can Roofers Work in the Rain or in Winter?
- Can I Cancel a Roofing Contract Signed at Home?
- Do Roofers Charge VAT on Roof Work?
- Do I Need a Party Wall Notice for Roof Work?
- Do You Need a Scaffold Licence in Somerset?
- What Are My CDM Duties as a Homeowner?
- Is a New-Build Roof Defect Covered by NHBC?
- How Do You Complain About a Roofer?
- Who Handles Planning for Roof Work on Exmoor?
- Can I Add a Dormer in the Quantocks or Blackdowns?
- Do I Need Listed Building Consent for Roof Work?
- What Happens If a Roof Is Reported as Dangerous?
- Who Is Building Control for Taunton Homes?
- Can Old Roof Work Get Building Regs Sign-Off Later?
- Should You Pay a Roofer Upfront?
- What Should a Written Roofing Quote Include?
- Where Is Asbestos Found in a House Roof?
Pitched roofing 20
- Can you replace a single roof slate?
- What Are the Disadvantages of a Pitched Roof?
- Why Do Roof Tiles Slip?
- Can You Replace a Roof Tile From Inside the Loft?
- Can You Reuse Your Existing Tiles on a Re-Roof?
- Do Roofers Replace Rafters?
- Is a Cracked Roof Tile an Emergency?
- Do Heavier Roof Tiles Need Building Regulations?
- Can You Walk on Roof Tiles?
- What Is the Minimum Pitch for Roof Tiles?
- Do Roof Tiles Need to Be Clipped?
- Can Roof Tiles Be Fixed Without Scaffolding?
- Can You Replace Roof Felt Without Removing Tiles?
- Why Are My Roof Tiles Flaking or Spalling?
- Does Home Insurance Cover Slipped Roof Tiles?
- How Long Does a Tiled Roof Last?
- Can You Match Old Roof Tiles on a Repair?
- Can You Change a Flat Roof to a Pitched Roof?
- What Is Roof Tile Gauge?
- Why Is My Roof Sagging?
Flat roofing 20
- How Long Does an EPDM Roof Last?
- Do Flat Roofs Need Much Maintenance?
- How Long Does a Flat Roof Last?
- Can You Walk on a Flat Roof?
- What Fall Does a Flat Roof Need?
- Can a New Flat Roof Go Over the Old One?
- Does a Replacement Flat Roof Need Planning Permission?
- Do You Have to Insulate a Flat Roof When Replacing It?
- Why Is There Condensation Under My Flat Roof?
- Why Is My Felt Flat Roof Blistering?
- Do Flat Roof Patches and Sealants Work?
- What Are Flat Roof Trims and Upstands?
- Will Insurance Pay for a Leaking Flat Roof?
- Replacing a Flat Roof in a Conservation Area
- Why Is My Flat Roof Outlet Overflowing?
- How Long Does It Take to Replace a Flat Roof?
- Are Flat Roofs a Bad Idea?
- Why Does a GRP Roof Crack?
- What Is Tapered Insulation on a Flat Roof?
- How Is a Flat Roof Sealed to the House Wall?
Roof replacement 20
- How Long Does a Re-Roof Take?
- Will Home Insurance Pay for a New Roof?
- Does a New Roof Add Value to a House?
- Can You Stay at Home During a Re-Roof?
- Can a New Roof Go Over the Old One?
- Can You Re-Roof Half a Semi-Detached House?
- How Do You Re-Roof a Terraced House?
- Do You Need to Clear Your Loft for a Re-Roof?
- Is Leadwork Replaced During a Re-Roof?
- Do You Get a Certificate After a Re-Roof?
- What Is the Cheapest Way to Replace a Roof?
- Do You Need Roof Vents on a New Roof?
- Who Notifies Building Control for a Re-Roof?
- What Are Sarking Boards and Do I Need Them?
- Do You Need a Structural Engineer for a New Roof?
- Can You Change From Slate to Tiles on a Re-Roof?
- Does Re-Roofing a Block of Flats Need Planning?
- How Far Ahead Should You Book a Re-Roof?
- How Is a New Roof Tied Into an Old One?
- Can You Convert a Hip Roof to a Gable?
Emergency roof repairs 20
- How Much Does an Emergency Roofer Cost?
- When Is a Roof Problem an Emergency?
- Does Home Insurance Cover a Leaking Roof?
- Can You Cancel an Emergency Roof Repair?
- What to Do If Your Ceiling Is Bulging From a Leak
- Is a Roof Leak Near a Light Fitting Dangerous?
- Can a Roof Leak Be Fixed on the First Visit?
- Why Does My Roof Leak When It's Windy?
- Roof Tiles Blown Off: Is It Safe to Stay?
- Insurer Rejected Your Roof Claim? What to Do Next
- A Tree Has Fallen on My Roof: What Now?
- Should You Repair Your Own Roof?
- What Happens If You Delay Roof Repairs?
- How Long Does a Roof Repair Take?
- Why Is My New Roof Leaking?
- Will an Emergency Roof Repair Need Scaffolding?
- Can Snow Damage a Roof?
- Can a Roof Leak Cause Mould?
- Can a Roof Be Repaired in High Winds?
- Roof Leaking at Night: What Can Wait Until Morning?
Lead work 20
- How Long Does Lead Flashing Last?
- What Is Leadwork in Roofing?
- How Can You Tell If Flashing Has Failed?
- Can You Replace Flashing Without a New Roof?
- Can Leadwork Be Used on Modern Homes?
- What Is Patination Oil and Why Use It on Lead?
- What Is a Chimney Apron Flashing?
- What Is a Chimney Back Gutter?
- Does Home Insurance Cover Lead Flashing Repairs?
- Who Approves Repairs to a Church Roof?
- Why Does Lead Have Size Limits on a Roof?
- How Is Lead Flashing Fixed Into a Wall?
- Why Has My Lead Flashing Cracked?
- What Is Lead Welding on a Roof?
- What Is a Lead Parapet or Box Gutter?
- Can Leadwork Be Fitted in the Rain?
- Why Is There White Staining Under My Lead?
- Can You Fit Lead Flashing Yourself?
- Why Does a Lead Roof Corrode Underneath?
- Do Roofers Do Leadwork?
Gutters, soffits & fascias 20
- How Long Do uPVC Soffits and Fascias Last?
- Why Are My Gutters Overflowing?
- Can You Replace Fascias Without Replacing Gutters?
- Should Fascias Be Replaced With a New Roof?
- How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned?
- What Fall Should Guttering Have?
- Why Is My Gutter Leaking at the Joints?
- How Do You Unblock a Downpipe?
- Bats Behind Fascias: What the Law Says
- What Are Finlock Concrete Gutters?
- Are Gutter Guards Worth It?
- Do New Fascias Need Planning Permission?
- What Is Eaves Felt Rot and the Eaves Tray Fix?
- Do Soffits Need Vents?
- Are Seamless Aluminium Gutters Worth It?
- Does Home Insurance Cover Gutter Damage?
- Why Are My Soffits Going Green or Black?
- Can Ice Damage Gutters?
- Repair or Replace Your Guttering?
- Do Roofers Fit Fascias and Soffits?
Roof windows & skylights 20
- Do Roofers Install Velux Windows?
- Why Is My Velux Window Misted Between the Panes?
- How Do You Stop Condensation on a Velux Window?
- What U-Value Must a New Roof Window Meet?
- Do Side-Facing Roof Windows Need Obscure Glass?
- Does a Velux Window Need Building Regulations?
- Can You Fit a Velux in a Flat Roof?
- Can You Add Blinds to an Existing Velux?
- Are Electric and Solar Velux Windows Worth It?
- Can a Roof Window Be a Fire Escape Window?
- Can a Velux Be Fitted From Inside?
- How Long Does It Take to Fit a Velux Window?
- What Size Velux Window Do I Need?
- Skylight vs Roof Window: What's the Difference?
- Does Insurance Cover a Leaking Velux?
- Can a Velux Be Fitted in Winter?
- Can You Replace Just the Glass in a Velux?
- Are Roof Windows Noisy in the Rain?
- Sun Tunnel or Roof Window: Which Suits a Small Room?
- What Happens on Velux Installation Day?
Commercial roofing 20
- Are Asbestos Cement Roofs Safe to Walk On?
- Can a Commercial Roof Be Replaced While You Trade?
- What Is Roof Overcladding?
- What Is a Single-Ply Roofing Membrane?
- Do Liquid Roof Coatings Work on Commercial Roofs?
- Is VAT Reverse Charged on Commercial Roofing?
- Who Is the Principal Contractor on a Roof Project?
- Re-Roofing a Farm Building: Sheets, Rooflights, Gutters
- Why Do Industrial Unit Roofs Leak at the Laps?
- Commercial Box Gutter Leaks: Repair or Line?
- Insulated Roof Panels: When Do They Make Sense?
- Does a New Commercial Roof Need Planning Permission?
- Does Commercial Re-Roofing Need Building Control?
- Does Business Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
- Do You Need an Asbestos Survey Before Roof Work?
- Commercial Roof Problems After Winter: What to Check
- Can You Coat a Rusty Metal Roof?
- How Far Ahead Should a Commercial Re-Roof Be Planned?
- Fibre-Cement Roof Sheets: Asbestos or Not?
- How Is Asbestos Roof Waste Disposed Of?
Chimney repairs 20
- Does House Insurance Cover Chimney Repairs?
- Do Roofers Repair Chimneys?
- Do You Need Scaffolding for Chimney Repairs?
- Should Chimney Work Be Done During a Re-Roof?
- Can a Chimney Pot Be Replaced?
- Is a Leaning Chimney Dangerous?
- Do You Need a Chimney Cowl?
- Do You Need Planning Permission to Remove a Chimney?
- Do You Need a Party Wall Notice for Chimney Work?
- Birds Nesting in a Chimney: What Can You Do?
- Why Are My Chimney Bricks Crumbling?
- What Is a Chimney Damp-Proof Tray?
- Roofer or Chimney Sweep: Who Do You Call?
- Can a TV Aerial Damage a Chimney?
- How Long Does a Chimney Repair Take?
- Should You Waterproof a Chimney With Sealant?
- Are Cracks in a Chimney Stack Serious?
- Can You Repair Your Own Chimney?
- Can Reclaimed Bricks Match an Old Chimney?
- Loose Chimney Pot After a Storm: What to Do
Slate roofing 20
- What Is the Main Disadvantage of a Slate Roof?
- What Is Nail Sickness on a Slate Roof?
- What Is a Slate Tingle?
- Can You Match Replacement Slates to an Old Roof?
- Why Do Slates Slip or Crack?
- What Is the Minimum Pitch for Natural Slate?
- Can You Walk on a Slate Roof?
- Copper or Stainless Nails for Slate?
- What Is the Membrane Under Slates For?
- Should You Choose Slate or Clay Tiles?
- Why Is My Slate Roof Leaking?
- Why Are My Slates Flaking?
- What Ridge Goes on a Slate Roof?
- Valleys on Slate Roofs: Lead or Mitred?
- How Long Does Re-Slating a Roof Take?
- Are Slate Hooks Better Than Nails?
- Can You Fit Roof Vents in a Slate Roof?
- Does Slate Thickness Matter?
- What Size Slates Does Your Roof Need?
- What Is a Slate Eaves Course?
Dry ridge & verge 20
- How Long Should a Dry Ridge System Last?
- What Is the Roll in a Dry Ridge Kit?
- What Is a Dry Ridge System?
- Can Dry Verge Be Fitted to Any Roof?
- Do You Need Planning Permission for a Dry Ridge?
- Why Is My Dry Verge Rattling?
- Why Has My Dry Verge Fallen Off?
- Why Does Ridge Mortar Crack?
- Is a Slipped Ridge Tile an Emergency?
- Why Is Mortar Falling From My Gable Verge?
- Can You Fit a Dry Ridge System Yourself?
- Can Dry Ridge Match Your Existing Tiles?
- Is Dry Fix a Legal Requirement?
- What Are Dry Verge End Caps?
- Can a Dry Ridge Be Fitted in Wet Weather?
- What Is a Dry Hip System?
- How Long Does It Take to Fit a Dry Ridge?
- Dry Verge vs Cloaked Verge Tiles
- Can Birds Get Into a Dry Ridge?
- Dry Ridge Unions Leaking: What's Wrong?
Roof cleaning & moss removal 20
- How Often Should a Roof Be Cleaned?
- Will Moss Grow Back After Roof Cleaning?
- Is Roof Cleaning Safe for Your Tiles?
- Can You Use Moss Killer on Your Own Roof?
- Does Roof Cleaning Need Scaffolding?
- How Long Does Roof Cleaning Take?
- Does Insurance Cover Moss Damage to a Roof?
- Will Roof Cleaning Damage Your Garden?
- Should You Clean Your Roof Before Selling?
- Do Zinc or Copper Strips Stop Roof Moss?
- What Are the Black Streaks on My Roof?
- How Do You Remove Moss From a Flat Roof?
- Why Does Moss Grow on the North Side of a Roof?
- Will Cleaning Restore Faded Concrete Tiles?
- Is Hand-Scraping Moss Better Than Washing?
- Is Moss Bad for a Slate Roof?
- Is Roof Moss Treatment Safe for Pets?
- Can Repairs Be Done During a Roof Clean?
- Moss Blocking Roof Valleys: Why It Matters
- Is Roof Cleaning Safe for Water Butts and Ponds?
Roof inspections 20
- How Often Should a Roof Be Inspected?
- Are Free Roof Inspections Worth Having?
- How Long Does a Roof Inspection Take?
- When Is the Best Time for a Roof Inspection?
- Do You Need to Be Home for a Roof Inspection?
- Will a Roof Inspection Spot Spray Foam?
- Can a Roofer Check for Asbestos?
- Homebuyer Survey Flagged the Roof: What Next?
- Can Thermal Imaging Find Roof Leaks?
- Should a Roofer Send Photos of the Problem?
- Does a Roof Inspection Include the Chimney?
- Should You Inspect a New-Build Roof?
- Does a Roofer Need Loft Access for an Inspection?
- Who Pays for a Roof Survey When Buying?
- How Can You Tell How Old a Roof Is?
- Should You Get a Roof Inspection Before Selling?
- What to Check on a Roof After You Move In
- How Long Is a Roof Report Valid?
- Does a Roof Inspection Come With a Quote?
- Is It Safe to Inspect Your Own Roof?
Conservatory roofs 20
- How Long Does a Polycarbonate Conservatory Roof Last?
- Does a Solid Roof Turn a Conservatory Into an Extension?
- Can You Replace Polycarbonate With a Glass Roof?
- Can You Insulate a Conservatory Roof?
- Can You Replace Individual Conservatory Roof Panels?
- How Do You Clean a Conservatory Roof Safely?
- Does Insurance Cover a Damaged Conservatory Roof?
- Can You Fit Roof Windows in a Solid Conservatory Roof?
- How Long Does a Conservatory Roof Replacement Take?
- Why Is My Conservatory Roof So Noisy in the Rain?
- Can a Lean-To Conservatory Have a Tiled Roof?
- Why Is My Conservatory Roof Sagging?
- Is Self-Cleaning Glass Worth It on a Conservatory?
- Roofer or Glazier for a Conservatory Roof?
- Moss on a Polycarbonate Roof: How to Remove It
- How Is a Conservatory Roof Sealed to the House?
- Will a Solid Roof Make Your Conservatory Dark?
- Repair or Replace a Conservatory Roof?
- What Are Lightweight Conservatory Roof Tiles?
- Do Solid Conservatory Roofs Need Ventilation?
Garage & asbestos roofs 20
- Can You Replace the Roof on an Attached Garage?
- Can You Remove an Asbestos Garage Roof Yourself?
- Can You Overclad an Asbestos Garage Roof?
- Does a Garage Roof Replacement Need Planning Permission?
- Can You Put a Pitched Roof on a Flat-Roof Garage?
- Is Box-Profile Steel Good for a Garage Roof?
- Does Home Insurance Cover a Garage Roof?
- How Long Does It Take to Replace a Garage Roof?
- Does a Garage Roof Need Guttering?
- Is It Safe to Walk on a Garage Roof?
- Why Is My Garage Roof Sagging?
- Why Is My Garage Roof Felt Lifting?
- Can You Add Rooflights to a Garage Roof?
- Can You Re-Roof a Concrete Sectional Garage?
- Roofing a Room Over a Garage: What's Different?
- Does Roof Paint Fix a Leaking Garage Roof?
- Does a Garage Roof Deck Need Replacing Too?
- Garage Roof Drip Edge: Why Water Runs Down the Walls
- Are Corrugated Bitumen Roof Sheets Any Good?
- Does a Garage Roof Need Ventilation?
Spray foam removal 20
- Is Spray Foam Removal Worth It?
- How Long Does Spray Foam Removal Take?
- Can Foam Be Removed From a Loft That's in Use?
- Do You Need to Be Home During Spray Foam Removal?
- What Happens to Spray Foam Waste?
- Will a Lender Accept a Spray Foam Removal Certificate?
- Is Spray Foam Insulation Bad for Your Roof?
- Can You Sell a House With Spray Foam Insulation?
- Can You Remove Spray Foam Yourself?
- Can Tiles Be Saved if Foam Is Stuck to Them?
- Spray Foam on Old Bitumen Felt: What Happens?
- Can You Remove Spray Foam From Part of a Loft?
- Does Spray Foam Stop a Roof Breathing?
- Is Spray Foam Removal Messy?
- Is Scaffolding Needed for Spray Foam Removal?
- Can Loft Boards Go Back After Foam Removal?
- Should a Roofer Remove Spray Foam?
- Spray Foam Under a Slate Roof: Any Different?
- Does Spray Foam Hide Roof Problems?
- When Is the Best Time to Remove Spray Foam?
Each answer opens with the reply in a few lines, then gives the detail behind it. Where a rule matters, such as Building Regulations, planning or the 14-day cancellation right, the answer names its source so you can check it yourself.
If you are weighing up a bigger decision, the pitched roofing and roof inspection pages go through the work in order, and the blog covers roof problems season by season.
When the answer depends on your own roof, we read it first and give one written price afterwards. Use the form on this page to ask us about yours.