Roofing answers
Short answers to the roofing questions Thanet and East Kent homeowners meet before work starts: rules, rights, quotes and consents.
Answer · 4 min readHow many roofing quotes should I get?Get at least three. Citizens Advice recommends gathering written quotes from at least 3 different traders, then choosing between them. Three shows…
Answer · 4 min readCan I cancel a roofing contract after signing it?Yes, you can usually cancel a roofing contract after signing it. If you signed in your own house, even once the roofer…
Answer · 5 min readDo you pay VAT on roofing work?Yes, roofing work normally carries VAT at the standard rate, which GOV.UK gives as 20% (HMRC zero-rates some insulation fitted in homes…
Answer · 4 min readDo roofers need a licence in the UK?No, roofers in the UK do not need a licence to trade, so there is no roofing licence for you to ask…
Answer · 5 min readShould a roofer ask for a deposit before starting?A roofer can reasonably ask for a deposit before starting, if it covers things bought in advance such as materials and scaffold…
Answer · 4 min readDo I need a permit for a skip on the road in Kent?Yes, a skip placed on the road or pavement in Kent needs a permit from Kent County Council, and the skip company…
Answers by subject
Choosing and pricing a roofer 14
- AnswerCan roof work go ahead if birds are nesting in the roof?
- AnswerWhat happens if bats turn up during roof work?
- AnswerDo I need a party wall notice for roof work?
- AnswerWhat do the CDM regulations mean for a homeowner having roof work done?
- AnswerHow do I find the building control completion certificate for my roof?
- AnswerCan roof work be done in winter?
- AnswerWhat are my rights if a roofer's work is poor?
- AnswerHow do I settle a dispute with a roofer?
- AnswerWhat should a written roofing quote include?
- AnswerHow do I check whether my house is in a conservation area?
- AnswerWhat is an Article 4 direction, and does it affect my roof?
- AnswerDo flats have permitted development rights for roof work?
- AnswerDoes the Canterbury World Heritage Site change what roof work needs permission?
- AnswerWho gives consent for roof repairs on a church?
Pitched roofing 20
- AnswerWho applies for a scaffold licence in Kent?
- AnswerCan a single broken roof tile be replaced on its own?
- AnswerHow long do concrete roof tiles last?
- AnswerHow long do clay roof tiles last?
- AnswerWhat is the minimum pitch for roof tiles?
- AnswerWhy is my loft damp under a pitched roof?
- AnswerCan you walk on a tiled roof without breaking it?
- AnswerDo roof tiles need clips and nails?
- AnswerCan I swap my concrete roof tiles for clay?
- AnswerDo I need planning permission to change my roof tiles?
- AnswerIs a breathable membrane better than traditional roofing felt?
- AnswerWhat is torching on a tiled or slate roof?
- AnswerWhat is a valley on a roof?
- AnswerHow big should the eaves ventilation gap be?
- AnswerCan old peg tiles be reused on a re-roof?
- AnswerWhat is the difference between peg tiles and plain tiles?
- AnswerCan a tiled roof be repaired in winter?
- AnswerDoes home insurance cover slipped roof tiles?
- AnswerHow do roofers match old roof tiles on a repair?
- AnswerWhy do my roof tiles rattle in the wind?
Flat roofing 20
- AnswerWhat is the minimum fall for a flat roof?
- AnswerCan you walk on a flat roof without damaging it?
- AnswerHow long does an EPDM rubber roof last?
- AnswerHow long does a GRP fibreglass roof last?
- AnswerHow long does a felt flat roof last?
- AnswerCan an EPDM rubber roof be repaired?
- AnswerCan a flat roof be laid in cold or wet weather?
- AnswerCan a new flat roof be laid over the old one?
- AnswerWhy is my felt flat roof blistering?
- AnswerWhat happens when a flat roof outlet blocks?
- AnswerWhy is my GRP fibreglass roof cracking?
- AnswerHow is a balcony or roof terrace waterproofed?
- AnswerWhy is there condensation under my flat roof?
- AnswerWhat is a single-ply flat roof?
- AnswerWill home insurance cover a leaking flat roof?
- AnswerWhat do flat roof edge trims do?
- AnswerIs it worth coating an old felt flat roof?
- AnswerWhy is my flat roof sagging?
- AnswerHow is a flat roof sealed where it meets a wall?
- AnswerWhat is involved in replacing the flat roof on a rear extension?
Roof replacement 20
- AnswerWhat does the 50 per cent rule for re-roofing mean?
- AnswerDoes a heavier roof covering need Building Regulations approval?
- AnswerCan a whole roof be replaced in winter?
- AnswerCan I stay at home while my roof is replaced?
- AnswerDoes a new roof need planning permission?
- AnswerHow long does a new roof last?
- AnswerWho notifies building control about a re-roof?
- AnswerDo I need a structural engineer for a new roof?
- AnswerShould I re-roof at the same time as a loft conversion?
- AnswerDoes a new roof always mean new felt and battens?
- AnswerCan new tiles go on over the old ones?
- AnswerWhat are the signs that a roof needs replacing?
- AnswerDo new roofs cost more in the South East?
- AnswerWill home insurance pay for a new roof?
- AnswerShould I fit solar panels while my roof is being replaced?
- AnswerWhat does strip and re-cover mean on a roof?
- AnswerCan I re-roof a house in a conservation area?
- AnswerDoes a like-for-like re-roof need approval in Dover District?
- AnswerWhat changes when the roof is over a house converted into flats?
- AnswerHow should payments for a new roof be staged?
Roof repairs & emergency 20
- AnswerHow much does an emergency roof repair cost?
- AnswerDo roofers charge a call-out fee for an emergency?
- AnswerCan a roof be repaired while it is raining?
- AnswerIs a roof leak covered by home insurance?
- AnswerWhat should I do if my roof starts leaking at night?
- AnswerShould a tarpaulin go over a leaking roof?
- AnswerCan I cancel an emergency roof repair I asked for?
- AnswerWhat does a water stain on the ceiling under the roof mean?
- AnswerCan a cracked roof tile be repaired, or does it need replacing?
- AnswerWhy does my roof only leak when it is windy?
- AnswerHow long can a roof leak be left before it causes damage?
- AnswerIs it worth claiming on insurance for a small roof repair?
- AnswerDoes a small roof repair need scaffolding?
- AnswerWhat photos should I take of storm damage to my roof?
- AnswerWhat counts as a storm for a home insurance claim?
- AnswerHow much does it cost to fix a slipped roof tile?
- AnswerCan just part of a roof be repaired?
- AnswerHow can I tell condensation from a roof leak?
- AnswerWhat should I do about loose roof tiles above a pavement?
- AnswerHow can I check a roof repair was done properly?
Lead roofing 20
- AnswerHow long does lead flashing last?
- AnswerWhat code of lead is used for flashing?
- AnswerCan lead on a roof be repaired, or must it be replaced?
- AnswerWhy has my lead flashing cracked?
- AnswerIs lead flashing better than a mortar fillet?
- AnswerWhat are lead soakers, and where are they used?
- AnswerWhat is a lead apron?
- AnswerDoes home insurance cover stolen roof lead?
- AnswerWhat is the white staining on new lead flashing?
- AnswerShould a roof valley be GRP or lead?
- AnswerCan leadwork be done in cold weather?
- AnswerHow is lead flashing fixed where a wall is rendered?
- AnswerWhat is stepped lead flashing?
- AnswerIs lead a good choice for a porch roof?
- AnswerIs copper or lead better on a roof?
- AnswerHow long does a zinc roof last?
- AnswerHow do I know if a lead valley is leaking?
- AnswerWhat is a back gutter behind a chimney?
- AnswerShould lead flashing be painted?
- AnswerDo I need consent to replace lead on a listed roof?
Guttering, soffits & fascias 20
- AnswerHow often should gutters be cleaned?
- AnswerCan leaking gutter joints be repaired?
- AnswerDo you need scaffolding to replace gutters?
- AnswerAre aluminium gutters better than uPVC?
- AnswerWhat is a soffit on a house?
- AnswerWhat is a fascia board?
- AnswerDo I need permission to change gutters in a conservation area?
- AnswerAre gutter guards worth fitting?
- AnswerWhat can be done about birds nesting in my soffits?
- AnswerWhat happens if bats live behind my fascia boards?
- AnswerHow is a sagging gutter fixed?
- AnswerWhy is water from my gutter running down the wall?
- AnswerWho is responsible for a shared gutter on a terraced house?
- AnswerWhat is the difference between ogee and half-round gutters?
- AnswerHow can I tell if my fascia boards are rotten?
- AnswerDo soffits need ventilation?
- AnswerWhat size gutter does my house need?
- AnswerIs it safe to clean my own gutters from a ladder?
- AnswerWhy does my gutter drip and tap after rain?
- AnswerDoes replacing fascias and soffits need planning permission?
Roof windows & skylights 20
- AnswerDoes a roof window on a side slope need obscure glass?
- AnswerHow long do roof windows last?
- AnswerCan I fit a roof window on a listed building?
- AnswerDoes a new rooflight need Building Regulations approval?
- AnswerShould I fit a roof window or build a dormer?
- AnswerHow is a roof window fitted into a tiled roof?
- AnswerCan a roof window be fitted in a slate roof?
- AnswerAre roof windows noisy when it rains?
- AnswerAre electric roof windows worth fitting?
- AnswerCan roof windows be fitted inside the Canterbury World Heritage Site?
- AnswerHow far can a roof window project above the roof?
- AnswerCan the glass in a roof window be replaced on its own?
- AnswerWhat is the difference between a skylight and a roof window?
- AnswerHow secure are roof windows?
- AnswerWhy is my roof lantern leaking?
- AnswerDo roof windows need ventilation?
- AnswerWhat is a conservation rooflight?
- AnswerCan roof windows turn a bungalow loft into a usable room?
- AnswerHow long does it take to fit a roof window?
- AnswerDo I need planning permission to replace a roof window?
Commercial roofing 20
- AnswerHow does VAT work on commercial roofing?
- AnswerIs PVC or TPO the better single-ply membrane?
- AnswerHow do I make a storm claim for a commercial roof?
- AnswerCan asbestos cement sheets on an industrial roof be over-clad?
- AnswerCan a leaking industrial gutter be lined instead of replaced?
- AnswerHow are rooflights on an industrial roof replaced safely?
- AnswerCan roof work be done while my business stays open?
- AnswerHow often should a commercial roof be inspected?
- AnswerWho approves roof repairs on a church hall?
- AnswerWhat edge protection does commercial roof work need?
- AnswerCan damaged cladding on a commercial building be repaired?
- AnswerWhat decides the cost of a commercial roof?
- AnswerDoes changing a roof covering affect fire performance?
- AnswerIs EPDM suitable for a commercial flat roof?
- AnswerDo I need an asbestos survey before roof work on an older building?
- AnswerWhat roof repairs should a commercial landlord plan for?
- AnswerWhat is cut-edge corrosion on roof sheets?
- AnswerWhat should I do about an emergency leak in a commercial roof?
- AnswerWhat is involved in replacing roof sheets on a farm building?
- AnswerCan a commercial roof be bird-proofed?
Slate roofing 20
- AnswerCan one broken roof slate be replaced on its own?
- AnswerWhat is the minimum roof pitch for natural slate?
- AnswerHow long does Welsh slate last?
- AnswerHow long does Spanish slate last?
- AnswerWhat is nail sickness on a slate roof?
- AnswerCan a slate roof be walked on?
- AnswerIs reclaimed slate worth using on a re-roof?
- AnswerWhat is headlap on a slate roof?
- AnswerHow is a slipped slate repaired?
- AnswerDoes a slate roof cost more than a tiled roof?
- AnswerCan a slate roof be repaired in winter?
- AnswerHow do roofers match old slates on a repair?
- AnswerWhat underlay goes under a slate roof?
- AnswerWhy is there condensation under my slate roof?
- AnswerCan a slate roof have a dry ridge?
- AnswerCan frost damage roof slates?
- AnswerHow can I tell if my roof slates are asbestos cement?
- AnswerShould I re-slate the roof or repair it?
- AnswerHow many broken slates mean a roof needs replacing?
- AnswerDo I need planning permission to re-slate my roof?
Dry ridge & verge 20
- AnswerWhat is a dry ridge system?
- AnswerIs mortar banned for bedding ridge tiles?
- AnswerCan a dry ridge be fitted to an older roof?
- AnswerWhat is the verge on a roof?
- AnswerWhat is a hip on a roof?
- AnswerA ridge tile has fallen off my roof: what should I do?
- AnswerWhy are my dry verge caps coming loose?
- AnswerCan new ridge mortar match the old?
- AnswerCan ridge tiles just be repointed?
- AnswerIs a dry ridge a legal requirement?
- AnswerWill insurance pay for ridge tiles damaged in a storm?
- AnswerCan a dry verge be fitted to a slate roof?
- AnswerWhat is the difference between half-round and angled ridge tiles?
- AnswerWill a ridge vent cure condensation in the loft?
- AnswerCan I fix a loose ridge tile myself?
- AnswerWhat is a verge undercloak?
- AnswerWhy does the mortar on my ridge crack?
- AnswerCan I fit a dry ridge in a conservation area?
- AnswerDo ridge repairs need scaffolding?
- AnswerWhat do ridge tiles do on a roof?
Chimney repairs 20
- AnswerDoes house insurance cover chimney repairs?
- AnswerDo I need planning permission to remove a chimney stack?
- AnswerDoes removing a chimney breast need Building Regulations approval?
- AnswerWhy is there a damp patch on my chimney breast?
- AnswerDo chimney repairs need scaffolding?
- AnswerA chimney pot has fallen off: what should I do?
- AnswerWhat is flaunching on a chimney?
- AnswerWhat can I do about birds nesting in my chimney?
- AnswerDoes a bird guard cowl stop birds getting into a chimney?
- AnswerCan chimney repairs be done in winter?
- AnswerWhy are the bricks on my chimney crumbling?
- AnswerShould an old chimney be repointed in lime mortar?
- AnswerWhen does a chimney stack need rebuilding?
- AnswerDo chimney repairs on a listed building need consent?
- AnswerWhat should I do about a chimney damaged in a storm?
- AnswerDoes a capped chimney need ventilating?
- AnswerCan a TV aerial bracket damage my chimney?
- AnswerDoes my chimney need a flue liner?
- AnswerWhat are the white marks on my chimney bricks?
- AnswerWhat is different about chimney repairs on a terraced house?
Roof inspections 20
- AnswerHow often should a roof be inspected?
- AnswerShould I pay for a roof inspection?
- AnswerDoes a homebuyer survey check the roof properly?
- AnswerHow long does a roof inspection take?
- AnswerShould a roof inspection include photos?
- AnswerHow much can be seen of a roof from the ground?
- AnswerDo I need a roofer's report for an insurance claim?
- AnswerShould I get my roof checked before selling my house?
- AnswerWhat signs mean a roof needs inspecting?
- AnswerCan a roof be inspected while it is raining?
- AnswerHow do I check a new roof once it is finished?
- AnswerCan thermal imaging find problems in a roof?
- AnswerWhat does an inspection of a listed building's roof involve?
- AnswerIs a roof inspection the same as a quote?
- AnswerWhat should a roof check before winter cover?
- AnswerCan a roof with spray foam insulation be inspected?
- AnswerHow can I tell how old my roof is?
- AnswerWhat does a roofer check when inspecting a chimney?
- AnswerWho can carry out a roof survey?
- AnswerWill my mortgage lender ask for a roof report?
Roof cleaning & moss removal 20
- AnswerHow often should a house roof be cleaned?
- AnswerDoes moss damage roof tiles?
- AnswerShould a roof be pressure-washed?
- AnswerCan roof cleaning go ahead if birds are nesting?
- AnswerCan moss be removed from a roof in winter?
- AnswerDoes roof cleaning need scaffolding?
- AnswerWill moss grow back on my roof after cleaning?
- AnswerWill roof cleaning run-off harm my garden or pond?
- AnswerCan an asbestos cement roof be cleaned?
- AnswerWhy is moss worse on the north side of my roof?
- AnswerDoes moss on the roof affect selling a house?
- AnswerDo copper strips stop moss growing on a roof?
- AnswerHow is a conservatory roof cleaned safely?
- AnswerIs moss on a flat roof a problem?
- AnswerHow long does it take to clean a roof?
- AnswerCan roof cleaning disturb bats?
- AnswerShould I clean my roof myself?
- AnswerCan roof cleaning damage tiles or slates?
- AnswerShould a roof be cleaned before or after repairs?
- AnswerShould roof tiles be sealed after cleaning?
Conservatory roofs 20
- AnswerDo I need planning permission for a solid conservatory roof?
- AnswerWhen is a conservatory exempt from Building Regulations?
- AnswerWhy is my conservatory too hot in summer?
- AnswerWhy is my conservatory too cold in winter?
- AnswerCan a polycarbonate conservatory roof be replaced with glass?
- AnswerWhy does my conservatory roof drip with condensation?
- AnswerWhy is my polycarbonate conservatory roof so noisy in the rain?
- AnswerHow long does it take to fit a new conservatory roof?
- AnswerWhy does water get in where my conservatory meets the house?
- AnswerDoes self-cleaning glass work on a conservatory roof?
- AnswerDoes a conservatory roof need vents?
- AnswerCan I add heating to my conservatory?
- AnswerShould I fit roof blinds or replace the conservatory roof?
- AnswerWhy are the gutters on my conservatory leaking?
- AnswerCan I replace the conservatory roof on a listed house?
- AnswerWhat are lightweight conservatory roof tiles?
- AnswerWhat is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory roof?
- AnswerCan a conservatory roof be fitted in winter?
- AnswerCan a conservatory roof be repaired instead of replaced?
- AnswerDoes a solid roof make a conservatory dark?
Garage & asbestos roofs 20
- AnswerIs an asbestos garage roof dangerous?
- AnswerCan I remove an asbestos garage roof myself?
- AnswerDo you need a licence to remove an asbestos cement roof?
- AnswerCan an asbestos garage roof be over-clad instead of removed?
- AnswerWhy is my garage roof leaking?
- AnswerHow can I tell if my garage roof sheets contain asbestos?
- AnswerDoes a new garage roof need planning permission?
- AnswerCan a flat garage roof be changed to a pitched roof?
- AnswerReplacing the roof on a concrete sectional garage
- AnswerWhy does my garage roof drip inside when it is not raining?
- AnswerWho is allowed to carry away asbestos waste?
- AnswerWhat should I do if an asbestos roof sheet is broken?
- AnswerCan a garage roof be insulated?
- AnswerAre corrugated bitumen sheets good for a garage roof?
- AnswerCan a garage roof be replaced in winter?
- AnswerWho is responsible for repairing the roof on a block of garages?
- AnswerDoes a garage roof need a gutter?
- AnswerCan a rooflight be fitted in a garage roof?
- AnswerCan I sell a house with an asbestos garage roof?
- AnswerAre felt shingles a good choice for a shed roof?
Spray foam removal 20
- AnswerCan spray foam insulation be removed from a roof?
- AnswerHow long does spray foam removal take?
- AnswerIs spray foam insulation bad for a roof?
- AnswerCan spray foam insulation cause mortgage problems?
- AnswerCan spray foam cause condensation in a roof?
- AnswerCan I stay at home while spray foam is removed?
- AnswerWhy does my loft smell after spray foam insulation?
- AnswerHow is open-cell spray foam removed?
- AnswerHow is closed-cell spray foam removed?
- AnswerWill spray foam show up on a homebuyer survey?
- AnswerDoes spray foam insulation affect home insurance?
- AnswerHow messy is spray foam removal?
- AnswerCan spray foam damage roof tiles or slates?
- AnswerCan spray foam be removed from just part of a roof?
- AnswerDoes re-insulating after spray foam removal need Building Regulations?
- AnswerHow is a roof ventilated after spray foam is removed?
- AnswerCan spray foam be removed from under a slate roof?
- AnswerIs spray foam under a flat roof a problem?
- AnswerCan I remove spray foam insulation myself?
- AnswerWhat happens to the waste from spray foam removal?
This section holds one-question pages. Each opens with the answer in a few lines, then adds the detail you need to act on it: which council to ask, which rule applies, or what to check on a quote. Where a rule belongs to the whole country, it is named with its source. Where a council in East Kent words it differently, the page says which council.
Pick the question closest to yours. If you want the longer reading on a subject, each answer points to the service page or guide it belongs to, and the blog carries the full articles.
Nothing here replaces a look at your own roof. If an answer leaves you unsure, ring 01843 305243 or send the quote form with a few photos, and a survey comes before any price.