Brighton Roof Replacement on a Traditional Flint Building
Not every roofing job begins exactly as planned, and this recent roof replacement in Brighton was a good example.
When we arrived to start preparing the roof, we discovered an active wasps’ nest around the building. Before any stripping work could safely begin, we arranged for a local pest-control specialist to attend and deal with it. Once the area was confirmed safe, our team could continue with the roof replacement without unnecessary delay.
The property was a traditional flint and brick outbuilding surrounded by mature trees. The existing roof had become heavily weathered, with substantial moss growth across the tiles, particularly on the shaded elevations.
Although it is sometimes possible to replace a handful of damaged tiles, the condition of this roof meant that a complete replacement was the more sensible long-term option.
The Roof Before Work Began
The original roof tiles had been in place for many years and were showing the effects of age, moisture and the surrounding tree coverage.
Large areas of the roof were covered in moss. Moss absorbs and holds water, which keeps the tiles wet for longer after rainfall. Over time, this can contribute to surface deterioration and increase the risk of tiles becoming cracked or damaged during cold weather.
The roofing felt and battens beneath the tiles were also due for replacement. Installing new tiles over ageing battens or deteriorated underfelt would not have provided the customer with a proper long-term roofing solution.
The decision was therefore made to strip the complete roof and renew the entire roofing system.
Scaffolding and Safe Access
Scaffolding was installed around the building to provide safe access to all roof elevations.
Because the building was positioned close to several large trees, access was more restricted than it would be on a typical residential roof. The scaffolding allowed our roofers to work safely around the eaves, verges, hips and ridge while also providing suitable working platforms for materials.
Once the wasps had been dealt with and the scaffolding was ready, the stripping work could begin.
Stripping the Existing Roof
The existing roof tiles were removed and taken away from the property.
The old felt and timber battens were then stripped from the roof, exposing the structure beneath. This allowed the team to prepare the roof properly before installing any of the new materials.
Removing everything back to the roof structure also meant there were no sections of old or deteriorated underfelt left concealed beneath the finished roof.
All roofing waste was removed from the site as the work progressed, helping to keep the property as clean and organised as possible.
New Eaves Support Trays
New eaves support trays were installed along the bottom of the roof slopes.
These trays support the roofing membrane at the eaves and help guide any moisture safely into the guttering. Without proper support, roofing membrane can sag behind the fascia over time, creating an area where water may collect.
It is a relatively small part of a roof replacement, but it is an important detail for protecting the eaves and ensuring the roofing membrane finishes correctly.
Breathable Felt and Tanalised Battens
New breathable roofing felt was installed across the complete roof.
The membrane provides an additional layer of protection beneath the tiles while allowing moisture vapour within the roof space to escape. This helps reduce the risk of condensation becoming trapped beneath the roof covering.
New tanalised timber battens were then installed over the membrane. The battens were spaced to suit the new tiles and provide straight, consistent courses across the roof.
Renewing both the felt and battens meant the new roof tiles were being installed onto a completely new and reliable supporting system.
New Brown Concrete Plain Tiles
The roof was completed using new brown concrete plain tiles.
Plain tiles suited the style of the building particularly well. Their size and shape worked with the traditional flint walls and allowed us to maintain the character of the original roof while giving the building a much cleaner appearance.
The tiles were carefully set out to produce even courses around each roof elevation. Particular attention was needed around the hips, where the roof slopes meet and the bonnet tiles must follow a consistent line.
The finished tile colour also sits naturally alongside the surrounding trees and older brick and flintwork.
Matching Bonnet and Ridge Tiles
New matching bonnet tiles were installed along the hips of the roof.
Bonnet tiles are shaped specifically to cover the external junction between two sloping roof elevations. On a roof like this, they are one of the most noticeable parts of the finished job, so accurate positioning and neat mortar work are essential.
New ridge tiles were also installed along the top of the roof. The bonnet and ridge tiles were carefully aligned to maintain the shape of the original building and create clean, balanced roof lines.
New Undercloak and Mortar-Finished Verges
A new undercloak was installed along the roof verges.
The undercloak provides a solid base beneath the outer edges of the tiles and supports the mortar finish. The verges were then bedded and finished neatly to protect the exposed edges of the roof.
The bonnet tiles, ridge tiles and verges were bedded using a traditional 3:1 mortar mix. The mortar was securely applied and neatly pointed to create a weather-resistant finish.
The Finished Roof
The difference between the old roof and the completed roof is substantial.
Before the work began, the tiles were heavily weathered and covered with moss. Once completed, the building had a clean new roof with consistent tile courses, clearly defined hips and neatly finished ridges and verges.
The new roof now includes:
New breathable roofing felt
New tanalised timber battens
New eaves support trays
New undercloak to the verges
New brown concrete plain tiles
New matching bonnet tiles
New matching ridge tiles
Newly bedded hips, ridge and verges
Although most of these components are hidden once the tiles are installed, they all contribute to the roof’s long-term performance.
Why a Full Roof Replacement Made Sense
It can be tempting to keep repairing an older roof whenever a tile slips or a leak appears. However, there comes a point where repeated repairs are no longer the most economical or reliable option.
On this building, the condition of the tiles, felt and battens meant that replacing the complete roof provided a much better result than carrying out further isolated repairs.
The customer now has one complete roofing system rather than a mixture of old and new materials. It has also improved the appearance of the building without taking away from its traditional character.
Managing Unexpected Problems During Roofing Work
Finding wasps at the beginning of the job was not ideal, but these situations do occasionally happen, especially on older buildings surrounded by trees and vegetation.
The important thing was not to take unnecessary risks or attempt to work around an active nest. We arranged for an exterminator to attend, waited until the area was safe and then continued with the roofing work.
Roofing projects can sometimes uncover unexpected issues once access is available. Being able to organise the right tradesperson and keep the work moving is an important part of managing the overall project.
Brighton Roofing Services
Bespoke Roofing & Renovations carries out roof replacements and repairs throughout Brighton and Hove.
Our roofing services include complete tiled and slate roof replacements, pitched roof repairs, felt and batten replacement, ridge and hip repairs, leadwork, chimney repairs, flat roofing, fascia and guttering work and scaffolding.
Brighton has a wide range of properties, including Victorian terraces, flint buildings, period homes, extensions and modern developments. Each roof needs to be assessed individually so that the proposed work is suitable for the property rather than using the same solution for every building.
Looking for a Roofer in Brighton?
This project involved much more than simply laying new tiles.
The work included arranging safe scaffolding, dealing with the unexpected wasps’ nest, stripping the existing roof, removing the old materials and installing a complete new roofing system from the eaves upwards.
The finished roof has retained the character of the original flint building while giving it a cleaner appearance and much stronger long-term weather protection.
For roof repairs or a complete roof replacement in Brighton or Hove, contact Bespoke Roofing & Renovations to arrange a quotation.