How Do You Re-Roof a Victorian Terrace in Cardiff?

Streets of Victorian terraces in Roath, Cathays, Canton and Grangetown share long, continuous roofs, steep pitches and old timber. A re-roof there is rarely just new tiles on top of old ones. We strip back to the structure, deal with what we find underneath, and rebuild the covering properly. This is how that normally goes.

Start with a survey from the loft and the ground

Before anything is quoted we look at the roof from the street, check the loft for daylight, damp staining and sagging rafters, and look along the gutter line for slipped slates. Please do not climb up to look yourself. Terraces have usually had patch repairs over the decades, so the loft tells us more than the outside does. Call us for a proper survey.

Scaffold, strip and see what is underneath

A full scaffold goes up first, because a terrace roof is high and the work needs safe access along the whole run. We then strip the old slates or tiles, battens and any felt, sorting anything worth keeping as it comes off. Only once the roof is open can we judge the rafters, purlins and wall plates properly. That is the stage where honest surprises appear, so we show you what we find and agree any extra timber work with you before carrying on.

Repair the structure before the covering goes on

Rotten rafter feet, cracked timbers and weak sections get repaired or replaced, since a new covering on tired timber only hides the problem. We then fit a breathable underlay and fresh treated battens, set out to suit the slate or tile chosen. Victorian roofs were built without any ventilation, and the missing airflow is often why the timbers rot. Adding eaves and ridge ventilation now protects the loft and the ceilings below, and helps the new roof last.

Choosing the covering

Many Cardiff terraces were roofed in natural Welsh slate, and matching that look matters on a street where the roofs read as one. Which covering suits depends on the house, the budget and how the street looks. We bring samples to the survey and hold them against the existing roof. For most terraces the realistic choices are these:

• New or reclaimed natural slate for a like-for-like appearance.
• Fibre cement slate where the budget needs to stretch further.
• Concrete or clay tiles only where the street and structure allow.

Leadwork, chimneys and gutters

Lead is where terrace roofs usually leak. Valleys, the abutments against party walls and chimney flashings are renewed as part of the job, never reused. Chimney stacks are checked, and repointed or rebuilt if they are loose. We finish with fascias, soffits and gutters so the new roof drains away cleanly. Work on a terrace may need planning or Building Regulations checks — we advise before work starts. Your neighbours get a courtesy word from us too.

Why Choose T & T Roofing South Wales

We're new roof installation specialists covering South Wales, using premium tile and slate roofing systems and honest advice — not a generic call-out. Every job starts with a free quotation and guaranteed workmanship throughout.