When Restoration Beats Replacement
Not every tired-looking roof needs replacing. Plenty of older Leicester roofs — particularly Welsh slate, good clay tile, and well-laid concrete tile from the 1970s and 80s — have plenty of life left in the actual covering, but suffer from cosmetic problems (moss build-up, lichen staining, faded surface) or detail failures (cracked ridge mortar, slipped tiles at the verges, broken hip irons) that make them look much worse than they actually are.
On those roofs, restoration is genuinely cost-effective. For a fraction of the cost of a full re-roof, we can clean the surface, re-lay slipped or broken tiles, repoint the ridge and hip mortars, replace failed flashings, and in some cases apply a roof coating that restores the original colour and adds another 5-10 years of life.
Roof Cleaning & Moss Removal
Heavy moss and lichen build-up doesn't just look ugly — it actively damages the roof. Moss roots into the joints between tiles, holds moisture against the surface, accelerates frost damage, and blocks gutters when it eventually breaks loose in heavy rain. Lichen does similar damage to the surface of clay and concrete tiles by chemically etching the cement matrix.
Professional roof cleaning starts with manual scraping (not pressure washing — we don't pressure-wash roofs because the water gets under the tiles and damages the felt). The bulk of the moss comes off mechanically with shaped scrapers, then a biocide treatment kills the spores and prevents regrowth for 5+ years.
Ridge & Hip Repointing
Cracked, missing or crumbling ridge mortar is the single most common cosmetic and functional defect on older roofs. The mortar beds along the ridge tiles take a beating from frost, sun and seasonal movement, and after 30-40 years it's normal for it to start failing. Once it does, ridge tiles loosen, water gets into the bed, and tiles eventually slide off in high winds.
Repointing the ridge involves removing the existing ridge tiles, raking out the old bedding mortar, and re-bedding the tiles in fresh sand-cement mortar with the joints filled and weather-struck for shedding water. The whole length of one ridge on a typical semi is usually a 1-2 day job. We can also retrofit a dry-ridge system — mechanical fixings instead of mortar — which is a more durable upgrade.
Roof Coatings — The Honest Truth
There's a thriving cowboy industry built around 'roof coating' — companies that go door-to-door, identify a roof that 'urgently' needs coating, and charge thousands for what is essentially a paint job that often fails within five years and can actually trap moisture in the tile.
Done well, on the right roof, with the right coating, a roof recoating is a legitimate and worthwhile job. Done wrong, on the wrong roof, with cheap acrylic paint, it's a waste of money that may shorten the life of the tile underneath. We're happy to quote for it where it makes sense (faded but structurally sound concrete tiles), and we'll be honest with you when it doesn't (Welsh slate, clay tile). No high-pressure sales, no scare tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is roof cleaning worth doing?
Yes, if there's significant moss build-up causing functional problems or if you're selling and want kerb appeal. No, if the roof just has a bit of green tinge and isn't actually causing problems.
How often should ridges be repointed?
Bedding mortar on a traditional mortared ridge typically lasts 30-50 years. Don't wait for the tiles to slip — repoint while the tiles themselves are still sound.
Should I have my roof coated?
Sometimes — but be very wary of doorstep sales. Genuine recoating jobs make sense on faded concrete tile roofs that are otherwise sound. They don't make sense on slate or clay tile.
Can you replace just a few broken tiles?
Yes — spot tile and slate replacement is the bulk of our day-to-day work. We'll always quote for the smallest job that actually solves the problem.
How much does a restoration cost?
Typical full restoration on a 3-bed semi (clean, repoint ridges, replace 10-15 tiles, refresh flashings) is usually £1,800-£3,500.