Roof tile replacement

Tile types we lay

Each type of tile behaves differently and needs to be laid to suit it. Clay pantiles, with their S-shaped profile, give Norfolk villages much of their look and need care at the laps and verges. Plain tiles are small and double-lapped, so they suit steeper pitches. Concrete interlocking tiles are larger and heavier, and common on post-war and modern houses.

• Clay pantiles, including glazed pantiles
• Clay and concrete plain tiles
• Concrete interlocking tiles
• Matching ridge, hip and verge tiles

Replacing broken or slipped tiles

A cracked tile or one that has slid out of line lets water onto the felt below and, in time, into the loft. Replacing a handful of tiles is a quick job when the rest of the roof is sound. We match the replacements as closely as we can, and where an exact match no longer exists we can take sound tiles from a less visible slope.

Re-tiling a whole roof

When tiles are failing everywhere, or the battens and felt underneath have perished, a full re-tile is the sensible option. We strip the old covering, fit new battens and breathable membrane with proper ventilation, and lay the new tiles with fixings to current standards. Ridges, hips and verges can be finished in traditional mortar or with dry-fix systems.

If you are unsure whether to stay with clay or change to concrete, or the other way round, we can talk through the difference in weight, appearance and what suits the building.

Getting a quote

Every tiling job starts with a free inspection and a written, no-obligation quotation. We are based at 41 The Street, Costessey, and work across Norwich and Norfolk, Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 17:00.

Looking after a tiled roof

Tiled roofs tend to give warning before they fail. Moss building up between tiles holds moisture and can lift the tails; clogged gutters send water back under the bottom course; and tired ridge bedding lets tiles rock loose. Keeping gutters clear and dealing with moss before it gets thick will help any tiled roof last longer.

Clay and concrete also age in their own ways. Older clay tiles can flake on the surface after years of frost, while concrete tiles gradually lose their surface coating and grow more porous. Neither needs replacing just because it looks weathered, and we will tell you honestly whether yours still has years left in it.

Make the replacement match the remaining courses

A replacement tile needs to work with the courses around it, not simply resemble their colour. Pantiles, plain tiles and interlocking tiles have different shapes and arrangements. Tell us if a previous replacement sits out of line or a repaired area keeps admitting water. That history is useful when deciding whether the issue is a damaged unit or the way it was fitted.

Where matching requires moving sound tiles from a less visible slope, the quotation should make that approach clear. On a complete re-tile, the question changes to the chosen covering across the whole roof, its weight and appearance, and any consent needed before changing materials.

Tile replacement and the eaves below it

The tile surface sheds rain, but the membrane, battens and ventilation beneath also belong in the roof specification. The eaves are where that build-up meets the gutter and outside air. A quotation for a complete tiled roof should explain these supporting details rather than describe only a quantity of new tiles.

If moss or staining prompts an enquiry, distinguish a concern about appearance from a crack or slipped course. Cleaning or painting does not establish that the tiles, fixings and underlay are sound. Have the roof condition assessed before deciding that a surface treatment answers the problem. For broken tiles, the first question remains how far the actual damage extends.

Common questions

Can you match old pantiles?

We match as closely as possible, and can reuse sound tiles from elsewhere on the roof where an exact match is not available.

Can I swap concrete tiles for clay?

Often, but weight and appearance differ, and listed or conservation-area buildings may need consent. We talk it through at the inspection.

Do you fit dry ridge systems?

Yes. Ridges, hips and verges can be finished with mortar or dry-fix systems.

How are broken roofing tiles fixed?

The damaged units are replaced and matched to the surrounding covering where it remains sound. Wider failure in battens or underlay can change the necessary scope.

Will painting roof tiles repair a leak?

A surface finish does not replace broken tiles or correct failed fixings, membrane or junction details. Inspect the cause of water entry before choosing work.