What to Know About Re-Roofing a 1960s or 70s House in Cwmbran

A large share of Cwmbran was built in the decades after the war, so houses in Pontnewydd, Croesyceiliog, Greenmeadow and Henllys often share the same roofing story. The coverings are now old, the timbers underneath were built to the standards of their day, and small details start to matter. This guide sets out what we check and what to plan for before a single tile comes off.

What these roofs are usually made of

Most houses from this era carry concrete interlocking tiles on softwood rafters, laid over bitumen felt that has often turned brittle. The tiles themselves can look sound from the street while the felt beneath has split, which is where damp in the loft usually begins. Some have clay pantiles or early fibre cement slates, so we confirm what is actually there before quoting.

What we check in the loft first

A loft visit tells us more than the outside ever does. We look at the rafters and battens for staining, softness or old woodworm, and at the felt for tears or daylight showing through at the laps. If you are checking at home, use a torch from the hatch and stay on the ceiling joists or boards. Do not step between them, and do not go onto the roof itself.

• Dark tide marks on rafters or the underside of the felt
• Damp insulation, especially along the eaves
• Sagging battens or rafters that have bowed between the walls
• Light visible where tiles meet the ridge or verge

Shallow pitches and wind exposure

Many estate roofs from this period sit at a lower pitch than older terraces. That matters because some tiles need a minimum pitch to shed water properly, and a lower slope is more exposed to wind-driven rain. Estates on higher ground around Upper Cwmbran and Thornhill take more weather, so we choose the covering, fixings and headlap to suit the slope rather than copying what was there.

Eaves, verges and ventilation

Original eaves details were often basic. Felt trays may be missing, fascias can be rotten behind the paint and verges were sometimes held with mortar alone, which cracks and lets tiles lift in strong wind. We replace these with proper dry-fix verges, eaves protection and ventilation. A tight, unventilated loft grows condensation, and new tiles will not cure that on their own.

What to plan before we start

Clear the loft hatch area and move cars away from the house and garage. A full strip and re-roof is done in stages so the building is weathered each evening, but you should expect noise and some dust inside. If solar panels, satellite dishes or a chimney are involved, tell us early. Work may need planning or Building Regulations checks — we advise before work starts.

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.