A new roof in Mildenhall is a long-term investment, and how you look after it in the years that follow determines how long it stays watertight and trouble-free.
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Thetford Roofers fits new roofs across Mildenhall and the surrounding area. For pitched roofs we use natural slate, clay tiles and concrete tiles in both plain and interlocking profiles. For flat roofs on extensions, outbuildings and garages, we install EPDM rubber membranes and torch-on felt systems, both of which perform reliably in the rain, frost and wind that Suffolk roofs face through the year.
The quality of the installation matters most - correctly laid slates with the right headlap, properly bedded or dry-fix ridges, lead flashings cut and dressed to the correct code, and flat roofs with adequate fall to drain. A new roof fitted to a proper standard needs relatively little done to it. The point of this page is to tell you what that little is.
In the twelve months after a new pitched roof is laid, the materials settle. Mortar on traditionally bedded ridges and hips can shrink slightly as it cures. Dry-fix systems do not have this issue, but it is worth checking that any clipped ridge caps are secure after the first significant wind. On flat roofs, new EPDM and torch-on felt systems do not require a settling period in the same way, but it is worth looking at the upstands and edges after the first hard frost.
If you notice anything that looks like a crack in ridge mortar or a ridge cap that has moved, report it promptly rather than leaving it. A small amount of mortar shrinkage is normal; a cap that has rotated or lifted needs attention before water gets in.
This is the most commonly overlooked part of roof aftercare, and it causes real damage when neglected. Blocked gutters back up and overflow at the eaves. Water then tracks behind the fascia board, saturates the rafter feet and can cause rot in the timbers that support the bottom course of your new roof. Clearing gutters of leaves, moss and debris once or twice a year prevents this entirely.
Check your downpipes as well. A blockage at the shoe or underground drain outlet causes the same backing-up problem. Run a hose down the pipe and watch the discharge at the bottom. If it backs up or overflows at a joint, clear it before winter.
Moss grows on most pitched roofs in this part of Suffolk, particularly on north-facing slopes that stay damp longer. A light covering of algae is cosmetic and does not immediately threaten the roof. Heavy moss, however, retains moisture, works under the edges of slates and tiles, and can lift them over time. It can also block gutters when it washes down in rain.
The safest approach is a biocide treatment applied by spray - this kills the moss and it dries and gradually blows or washes away over a few months. Pressure washing a tiled or slated roof is generally not advisable. The force can displace pointing, lift slates and break the seal on tile nibs. If a contractor recommends pressure washing a slate or tiled roof as routine maintenance, seek a second opinion.
Many newer concrete tiles have a treated surface that resists moss better than older tiles. If your new roof uses this type of tile, moss growth will be slower, but not eliminated entirely on a north-facing pitch.
Lead flashings at chimneys, dormer cheeks, abutments and valleys are the points where water is most likely to enter if maintenance is neglected. Lead is a long-lasting material but it does move with temperature changes - expanding in summer heat and contracting in cold. Over many years this movement can work a stepped flashing out of its mortar chase. Once the mortar joint opens, water follows.
Every two or three years, look at the mortar pointing that holds your flashings into the brickwork. If it has cracked away from the lead or from the brick, it needs re-pointing with a suitable mortar or sealant. This is a minor job done proactively; left until water is tracking into the chimney breast, it becomes a more involved repair.
On newly installed roofs with new lead flashings, this is unlikely to be needed for several years. But knowing what to look for means you catch it early when it does eventually move.
Flat roofs need a straightforward inspection once a year, ideally in autumn before heavy rain begins. Look at the surface for any blistering, cracking or lifted seams. Check that the outlets and any internal drains are clear. Standing water on a flat roof - pooling that has not drained after twenty-four hours of dry weather - indicates a drainage problem or a loss of fall that needs investigation.
Do not walk on a flat roof more than necessary. Foot traffic can compress the insulation layer beneath the membrane and create low spots where water collects. If you need to access a flat roof to clear a drain or inspect the surface, use a crawl board to spread your weight.
Condensation in the roof space is a common problem on houses that have been insulated at ceiling level. Warm, moist air from the living space rises into the cold loft and condenses on the timbers and the underside of the roof covering. Over time this causes timber decay from the inside, which can go unnoticed until the problem is advanced.
A properly installed new roof should include adequate ventilation - either through the eaves, through the ridge, or both. Soffit vents at the eaves and a ventilated ridge allow cold air to circulate through the loft space and prevent condensation. If you are having a new roof installed, confirm with your roofer that ventilation is included in the design, particularly if the loft is insulated at ceiling level rather than at rafter level.
Some things should not wait for a scheduled check. Call a roofer promptly if you notice:
Any of these indicates water is getting in. Early action limits the damage to the roof itself and prevents the secondary damage to timbers and ceilings that makes the eventual repair cost more.
Thetford Roofers fits new pitched and flat roofs across Mildenhall and nearby locations including Lakenheath, Feltwell, Methwold, Mundford and Weeting. We also cover Thetford and the villages around it - Elveden, Croxton, Santon, Ickburgh and Hockwold cum Wilton.
If you want a new roof assessed or installed in Mildenhall, call us to arrange a roof survey. We will tell you exactly what the job involves, what materials suit your property, and what you should plan for in the years after installation.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
