Local roofers · Dartford
Roofers in Dartford.
Plenty of Dartford’s homes date from between the wars and the post-war decades, which means the layer under the tiles is often older than the owner realises. The tiles may look fine from the street while the felt and battens beneath are failing, or were never there at all. We start in the loft and work up, so you find out what is really happening.
- Felt & battensreplaced under your tiles
- Honestviews on repair or re-roof
- Freequotes, no obligation
What sits under your tiles
Tiles shed most of the rain, but they aren’t a sealed layer, and a little wind-blown rain always gets past them. The felt or membrane underneath catches it and carries it to the gutter, and the battens hold everything in position. When these fail, you can get damp in the loft with no broken tile in sight.
- Old bitumen felt goes brittle and tears, especially at the eaves
- Battens can rot or lose their grip on tile nails
- Sagging felt holds water instead of sending it to the gutter
- Tiles sitting unevenly can be a clue that the battens have failed
Dartford’s housing, from terraces to 1930s semis
Victorian terraces sit close to the town centre, while Wilmington, Joydens Wood and much of the wider area have many 1930s and later semis. Post-war estates such as Temple Hill came next, and newer homes have since gone up along the river towards Greenhithe. Roofs built before felt became standard may have no underlay at all, just the tiles with mortar torching applied from below.
- Pre-war roofs: often no felt, or crumbling torching
- 1930s semis: hipped roofs with long ridges and hip lines
- Post-war estates: concrete tiles on early bitumen felt
- Newer homes: faults more often at mortar joints and eaves
Tile lift or full re-roof
If the damage is limited to one area, the tiles can be lifted, the felt and battens replaced and the tiles relaid. If the felt has failed across the whole roof, a piecemeal repair just moves the problem along, and a re-roof becomes better value. A modern breathable membrane also helps moisture leave the loft, which suits homes where insulation has been added.
- Tile lift and relay for local damage
- Breathable membrane upgrades in place of old felt
- New treated battens to hold tiles true
- Full strip and re-roof when failure is widespread
How the job works
- 1Start in the loftWith a torch in the roof space, the felt, battens and timbers tell us much of what we need to know.
- 2Map the damageWe work out how far the failure runs and photograph it, so you can see the extent for yourself.
- 3Size the jobYou get our honest view on a section repair or a re-roof, with a clear written price.
- 4Lift, renew, relayTiles come off, new membrane and battens go on, and the covering is relaid, with photos along the way.
Why choose us in Dartford
- Photos of the felt and battens, so you see what we see
- Free, no-obligation quotes for Dartford homes
- A clear written price and a straight answer on repair or re-roof
Common questions
My loft has no felt at all. Is that a problem?
Not automatically. Many older roofs were built without it, and if the tiles are sound they can stay dry for years. But any wind-driven rain has nothing to catch it, so if tiles or torching are failing, it is a good time to consider adding a breathable membrane.
Why has my loft become damp since I added insulation?
Extra insulation keeps the loft colder, so moist air from the house can condense on the underside of the felt, especially if the eaves are blocked. Vented soffits, a ventilated ridge or a breathable membrane can all help, depending on the roof.
Can torn felt be patched without lifting the tiles?
A small tear can sometimes be dealt with from inside the loft, but it’s rarely a lasting fix, as the battens above can hide more damage. Lifting the tiles around the tear lets the felt be lapped in properly so water still runs to the gutter.
How can I check my roof felt from inside the loft?
Take a torch up on a dry day and stick to the joists. Look for tears, sagging between rafters, dark staining and daylight. Take a couple of photos and send them to us, or call 07450 208032, and we’ll tell you if it looks worth a visit.
Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?
Speak to our team today. London, Essex, Kent, Sussex and the Cotswolds.