Local roofers · Bexleyheath, DA6 and DA7
Roofers in Bexleyheath.
Bexleyheath sits in the London Borough of Bexley, though it was part of Kent until 1965 and many people still think of it that way. Most of its streets went up quickly between the wars, so thousands of roofs here are a similar age and reaching a similar point. If yours has had patch after patch, we’ll strip the facts back first and tell you whether a re-roof is really due.
- Full stripdown to the rafters
- Rafterschecked before anything goes back
- Freequote, nothing to sign
Ninety-year-old semis and what they hide
A typical inter-war house here has a hipped or gabled roof, a tall stack and often a second generation of tiles put on decades ago. That earlier work may have left old timbers, tired underlay and mixed fixings out of sight. Opening the roof up tells you what you really have, and it’s the moment to put right anything the last job skipped.
- Replacement tiles may be heavier than the roof was built for
- Old battens are often split around years of nail holes
- Rotten felt at the eaves often crumbles into the gutter
- Stacks may need new lead while the tiles are off
Lofts, roof windows and later changes
Many homes around Bexleyheath, Welling and Barnehurst have been extended upwards since they were built. Roof windows, dormers and small soil pipe vents all break through the covering, and each one has a seam that must be kept watertight. A re-roof needs to allow for them from the start, not treat them as an afterthought.
- Roof windows need flashings that suit the new tile profile
- Dormer cheeks and flat tops meet the main roof at a weak joint
- Loft insulation needs an airflow route past the eaves
- Soil pipe vents need sealing properly through the new membrane
From Danson Park to Red House
Not everything here is 1930s. Philip Webb’s Red House, built for William Morris and now looked after by the National Trust, shows that fine brick and steep tiled roofs arrived in Bexleyheath long before the suburbs did. Around the Broadway and Upton you’ll also find older terraces, while post-war infill sits in among the semis, so we check what your house is before specifying materials.
- Natural slate, concrete and clay tiles are all options
- Tile choice should suit the pitch of the roof
- Older homes may call for existing tiles to be matched
- Bexley Council can confirm if conservation rules apply to you
How the job works
- 1Weigh up the patchingWe look at past repairs and the current faults, then work out whether more of the same is still good value.
- 2Specify the rebuildTile or slate, membrane, battens and any timber work are set out in a clear written price.
- 3Open the roofThe covering, felt and battens come off so the rafters can be inspected and any repairs discussed with you.
- 4Weather it back inNew membrane, treated battens and the roof covering go on, with lead and ridge details finished last and photographed.
Why choose us in Bexleyheath
- Photos from the stripped stage, so nothing is hidden by the new tiles
- A written price that spells out the membrane, battens and covering
- Honest about when patching your roof still beats replacing it
Common questions
What happens if it rains while my roof is stripped?
Rain is expected on any British re-roof, so the sensible way is to open up only as much as can be covered again before the weather turns. We’ll talk you through how your roof will be tackled in sections before work begins.
Can my existing roof windows stay when the roof is replaced?
Often, if the frames and glazing are in good order. The flashing around each window has to suit the new tiles, so it’s usually renewed. If a window is near the end of its life, this is the best time to raise it, as the surrounding roof is open anyway.
Will my re-roofed semi look odd next to the other half?
It will look newer for a while, as any new roof does. We can talk through tile colours and profiles close to next door, so the pair still reads as one house. If your neighbour is thinking about the same work, it’s worth having that conversation early.
Does a re-roof in Bexleyheath need building control sign-off?
It can do, particularly if you are renewing a large part of the roof or changing to a heavier covering. A like-for-like re-roof doesn’t usually need planning permission, but it’s worth confirming your situation with building control before work starts.
Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?
Speak to our team today. London, Essex, Kent, Sussex and the Cotswolds.