Investment works

We have some information for you about our roof replacement scheme and how it could affect you. The work may vary slightly from what is stated depending on the type of property you live in and all works will be subject to an individual survey.

Why is the work being done?

The roof, gutters and fascias are in poor condition and need replacing to prevent rain damaging your home. Your chimney will also be checked for repairs. Unless we do the work, your roof may be damaged by high winds or driving rain. Please note, roof slates are made from quarried slate. Slate can last for thousands of years. Generally, a slate roof fails only because the nails keeping the slates in place become loose or rusty. We will inspect the slates as they are removed from the roof and decide whether to renew them or re-fit them to your roof using new nails. This roofing work also gives us an opportunity to replace or top-up loft insulation, if it is needed. This will bring your home up to the latest recommended standards and help reduce your heating bills. Our programme of replacements aims to ensure your roof is renewed in order to maintain the Decent Homes Standard. You will be notified in writing by us if your area is scheduled for such works in the current financial year. If your roof has been renewed recently and is in good condition, they will not be replaced as part of the scheme.

How long will the work take?

The work will normally take two to three consecutive weeks to complete, depending on the weather. If loft insulation is required it will be installed in one day on a separate visit.

What should I do before the work starts?

You will need to remove all possessions from the loft space in your home. If you fail to do this we cannot guarantee the protection of such items and any necessary upgrade to the loft insulation would not be done. You may need to move garden furniture, vehicles, etc, away from the outside walls of the property to allow access for scaffolding. If you need help moving any items please inform the customer liaison advisor when they visit your home.

What work is involved in replacing my roof?

Scaffolding will be erected around your home a few days before the main roofing work is started. The contractor will remove all tiles or slates from your roof as well as the timber battens across the roof and the under felt, gutters and fascias. At this point we will inspect the condition of loft insulation, and remove it if it is in poor condition. We will also check existing roof timbers are in a good condition and free from decay. It will take longer to complete the work to your home if the roof timbers need to be replaced. After removing the old tiles or slates, a waterproof membrane underlay will be fixed over the roof timbers. This will ensure your home is wind-and weather-tight while the new roof is fitted.

The time taken to fit your new roof will depend on whether it is to be fitted with tiles or slates. It takes longer to renew a slate roof than a tiled roof. In both cases the tiles or slates are fixed onto timber battens using special nails or clips. At the same time the contractor will fit PVCu fascias, gutters and downpipes. Where necessary, new lead flashings are fitted to prevent water entering your home. These are required where pipes come through the roof or where the roof joins a chimney or another roof face. Safe working practices will be followed at all times. All old fittings and materials will be removed and disposed of correctly.

The scaffold to your property will usually be removed within one week of the work being passed by us as complete.

What disruption will there be?

All the work will be on the outside of your home. You may be affected by some noise but this should not be too loud or go on for too long. Access to your home should not be affected by the work. 

Occasionally scaffolding can affect TV, satellite reception or telephone lines. It may be necessary to remove an aerial, satellite receiver or telephone line that gets in the way of the scaffolding. In some cases scaffolding can affect your satellite signal. We will tell you if this is a problem, and we will ensure that disruption is minimised and the satellite, aerial or telephone line is reinstated as quickly as possible.

If you feel that your personal circumstances, or health may prevent you from coping with this work and would like to discuss what options are available please contact the customer liaison advisor or the Property Services team.