Roofing Repairs & Weatherproofing in Brighton & Hove
A roof only has to fail in one small place to cause damage inside. Slipped tiles, split flashing, worn flat roofs, cracked chimney pointing and blocked gutters are the usual culprits, and Brighton's exposed coastal weather finds every weak point. The right approach is to trace where water is really getting in, fix that cause properly, and make the roof watertight again — not just cover the nearest visible spot and hope.
When This Service Is Needed
- Water is coming through a ceiling, chimney breast or around a rooflight.
- Tiles or slates have slipped, cracked or blown off after high winds.
- A flat roof over an extension, dormer or bay is ponding, blistering or leaking.
- Lead flashing around chimneys, valleys or abutments has lifted or split.
- Gutters are overflowing, sagging or discharging water down the wall.
- You need repairs checked or made good before selling, buying or letting.
Brighton & Hove Property Context
Many Brighton and Hove homes are Victorian or Edwardian terraces with slate roofs, deep valleys between properties, and chimneys that rely on lead flashing and sound pointing to stay watertight. Being on the coast means driving rain, salt-laden air and strong winds that work at any loose tile or tired flashing far harder than an inland site would. Flats and converted houses add another layer: a leak in a shared or upper roof can affect the flat below, and access, communal areas and freeholder or managing-agent permissions often need sorting before work can start. Getting the diagnosis and the access right first is what keeps a repair lasting.
Coverings & Weatherproofing
| Area | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Pitched roof coverings | Matched clay, concrete or natural slate on sound battens and felt |
| Flat roofs | GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber or torch-on felt over a dry, firm deck |
| Flashings and abutments | Correctly dressed lead or proprietary flashing at chimneys and joins |
| Gutters and rainwater goods | Cleared, re-aligned or renewed with proper falls to the outlet |
| Ventilation and underfelt | Adequate roof-space ventilation and sound underlay |
How We Approach the Work
- 01Inspect the roof, loft space and ceilings to trace the actual source of the leak.
- 02Check flashings, valleys, tiles, ridge, gutters and any flat sections.
- 03Explain what is causing the problem and whether it needs repair or renewal.
- 04Set up safe access with scaffolding, towers or roof ladders as needed.
- 05Strip back failed coverings, flashings or felt to sound material.
- 06Repair or renew battens, decking and any water-damaged timber first.
- 07Reinstate coverings, dress leadwork and reseal abutments properly.
- 08Clear gutters, test with water where possible and make good internally.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is smearing mortar or mastic over a problem instead of finding the cause. Water often enters at a flashing or valley some distance from where it drips inside, so a patch in the wrong place looks like a fix until the next spell of heavy rain proves otherwise.
The other common mistake is neglecting gutters, flashings and pointing. Blocked or sagging gutters push water back into the wall, and split lead or failed chimney pointing lets it straight in — small maintenance jobs that turn into damp and rotten timber if they are left.
Building Regulations
Like-for-like repairs to an existing roof usually do not need Building Regulations approval or planning permission. However, if you re-cover more than a set proportion of a pitched or flat roof, the work becomes notifiable and has to meet current standards for insulation and, where relevant, ventilation. Structural changes — adding a dormer, opening the roof for a loft conversion or altering the roof line — need Building Regulations approval and may need planning permission, especially in conservation areas or on listed buildings, both of which are common in Brighton and Hove. Working at height also carries legal safety duties, which is why proper access such as scaffolding is planned into the job rather than treated as an afterthought.
Cost Factors
- Roof height, pitch and how difficult the area is to reach.
- Type of access required, including scaffolding on terraces.
- Pitched repair versus flat roof renewal.
- Covering type, such as slate, clay, concrete or felt.
- Amount of leadwork and flashing involved.
- Hidden timber or decking damage found once opened up.
- Gutter, fascia and rainwater goods condition.
- Whether it is a spot repair or a larger section of roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea and the wider Sussex area. Call us or fill in the contact form.