Local roofers · Richmond
Roofers in Richmond.
Richmond has some of West London’s most carefully kept houses, from Georgian terraces around the Green and the Hill to Victorian and Edwardian houses in Kew and East Sheen. Much of it sits in conservation areas, where the materials matter as much as the repair. We match what is already there and keep modern shortcuts off roofs that don’t suit them.
- Matchedoriginal materials on conservation work
- Writtenprices before work starts
- Photosof every job
Parapets and hidden gutters on Georgian houses
Many older Richmond houses hide their roofs behind a brick parapet, with water running along a concealed lead gutter or valley. You can’t see these from the street, so problems tend to show up indoors as a stain near the top of an outside wall. Blocked outlets and split lead are the common causes, and patching with mastic rarely lasts.
- Lead flashing and valley repairs behind parapets
- Blocked outlets and gutters cleared
- Slate repairs on the slopes behind the wall
- Photos of areas you can’t see from the ground
Conservation areas and matching materials
Richmond borough has a large number of conservation areas, including much of the historic centre, Kew Green and Ham Common. On these homes the right material is the one that was there first: natural slate, matching clay tile, and lead instead of modern flashing tape. Listed buildings can need formal consent for roof work, so check with the council before you commit.
- Natural slate and matching tiles for period roofs
- Honest advice if uPVC isn’t right for your house
- Repairs kept like for like wherever possible
- Chimneys repointed with their character kept
Roofs under trees
With Richmond Park, Kew Gardens and so many mature gardens nearby, plenty of local roofs sit in shade and collect leaves. Moss holds moisture, and falling leaves block gutters and valleys, so water can back up under the bottom courses. The fix may be as simple as clearing and realigning the gutters, but it pays to check the felt and battens at the eaves too.
- Gutter clearing and realignment
- Valleys checked for leaf build-up
- Felt and battens inspected at the eaves
- Slipped tiles and storm damage from branches repaired
How the job works
- 1Understand the buildingWe note the age of the house, its materials and whether it is in a conservation area or listed, which you can confirm with the council.
- 2Look where you can’tParapet gutters, valleys and the loft are checked and photographed, as these hidden areas are where period roofs tend to fail.
- 3Specify like for likeYour written price names the materials we plan to use and how they match what is already there.
- 4Repair with careWe work on one area at a time, keep sound original material where we can, and photograph the finished job.
Why choose us in Richmond
- Conservation-area work matched to the original materials
- A written price that sets out what will be used on your roof
- Honest repair-or-replace advice for period houses, backed by photos of every job
Common questions
What is a parapet gutter, and how do I know if I have one?
It is a lead-lined channel behind a low wall at the edge of the roof. If you can’t see the roof slope from the street and there are no gutters along the front of the house, you probably have one.
Can I use uPVC fascias on a period house in Richmond?
Sometimes, but not always. On many newer homes uPVC is a good choice. On a listed building or in a conservation area it may not be suitable, so we’ll tell you honestly and suggest you check with the council before going ahead.
Do overhanging trees cause roof leaks?
Not directly, but leaves and shade cause the conditions for one. Blocked gutters and valleys send water back up under the tiles, and branches can break tiles in high winds. Trees may be protected in a conservation area, so ask the council before cutting any back.
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