Roof Replacement in Langley Green, Crawley
This roof replacement project in Langley Green, Crawley, West Sussex involved removing the existing roof tiles, old roofing felt and battens, then installing new breathable roofing membrane, new battens and replacement tiles.
We also fitted a dry ridge system, attended to the leadwork around the chimney and replaced the fascias, soffits and guttering.
A team of four completed the work over two days. The main roof covering was finished on the first day, with the second day used to complete the roofline and rainwater drainage work.
During the stripping and recovering stage, the roof was without its weatherproof covering for approximately three hours.
Project at a Glance
- Location: Langley Green, Crawley, West Sussex
- Roof type: Tiled pitched roof
- Work: Replacement roof covering, membrane and battens
- Ridge: New dry ridge system
- Chimney: Leadwork attended to around the chimney
- Roofline: Replacement fascias, soffits and guttering
- Team: Four people
- Duration: Two days
- Period without weatherproof covering: Approximately three hours during the work
For information about similar work, see our New Roofs and Roof Replacement service.
The Roof Before Replacement
The early project photographs show the existing tiled roof, moss on parts of the covering and the original mortar ridge bedding exposed during removal.
The work involved renewing the roof covering and the layers beneath it. Replacing the tiles alone would not have completed the agreed job: the old felt and battens were also removed so the new roofing materials could be installed.
This photographic record shows the stages that are normally hidden once a roof has been retiled, including the exposed rafters, breathable membrane and new battens.
Removing the Old Tiles, Felt and Battens
Our team stripped the existing tiles, old roofing felt and battens from the area being renewed.
The old tiles were sent down a rubbish chute directly into the back of a tipper vehicle and removed from site. This kept the removal process organised while the team prepared the roof for its new covering.
Scaffolding provided access around the working area. A powered roof tile conveyor, often called a tile bumper, was used to move the replacement tiles up to scaffold level.
With four people working together, material handling and roof preparation could progress alongside one another.
Installing Eaves Trays, Breathable Membrane and New Battens
Eaves Trays at the Gutter Edge
Eaves support trays, sometimes called drip trays, were installed as part of the roof work before the new membrane went on.
These trays support the membrane at the lower roof edge and provide a route towards the gutter for water reaching the underlay.
On the second day, when the roofline work was completed, we checked that the trays discharged correctly into the new guttering.
New Breathable Roofing Membrane
New breathable roofing membrane was installed beneath the replacement tiles.
Often referred to as breathable felt, this underlay forms part of the roof system beneath the main tile covering. The photographs show the membrane being laid across the rafters before the new covering was completed.
Replacement Roofing Battens
New roofing battens were fitted over the membrane to support the replacement tiles.
The progress photographs clearly show this stage, giving a useful view of the work beneath the finished roof covering.
For more information about tiled roofs, see our Pitched Roofing service.
Laying the New Roof Tiles
Once the membrane and battens were in place, the team laid the replacement roof tiles.
The photographs show the work progressing from the prepared roof to the newly tiled slopes, followed by the ridge installation.
The main roofing work was completed on the first day. This meant the roof covering was finished before the team returned to complete the fascias, soffits and guttering.
Installing a Dry Ridge System
A dry ridge system was fitted along the ridge instead of using traditional sand-and-cement mortar bedding.
The installation photographs show the ridge roll, mechanical fixings and ridge tiles being assembled. The finished ridge photograph shows the tiles secured along the top of the roof.
A ventilated dry ridge system uses mechanical fixings to secure the ridge tiles and provides a ventilation route at the ridge. It avoids relying on a traditional mortar bed to hold the ridge tiles in place.
Dry ridge systems have been established for many years. They are a modern alternative to mortar-bedded ridges, rather than a newly invented roofing method.
See our Dry Ridge and Dry Verge service for more information.
Chimney Leadwork
The work also included attending to the leadwork around the chimney.
The junction between a chimney and the surrounding roof needs careful attention as part of a roof replacement. On this project, the chimney leadwork was dealt with alongside the new roof covering.
The photographs show the chimney area during the roofing stages, although there is no dedicated close-up of the completed leadwork.
For related roofing work, see our Chimney and Leadwork service.
Replacement Fascias, Soffits and Guttering
On the second day, our team returned to install the replacement fascias, soffits and guttering and complete the roofline work.
We also checked the relationship between the roof edge, eaves trays and gutters so water from the trays could flow into the guttering.
Although photographs were taken throughout the main roof replacement, separate photographs of the completed fascias, soffits and guttering were not taken.
You can read more about these services on our Fascias and Soffits and Guttering pages.
How Long Did This Roof Replacement Take?
This Langley Green project took two days from start to finish with a team of four.
Day one: Removal of the old roof covering, installation of the eaves trays, breathable membrane and battens, replacement tiling, dry ridge installation and chimney leadwork.
Day two: Completion of the replacement fascias, soffits and guttering, including checking that the eaves trays discharged into the gutters correctly.
The roof was without its weatherproof covering for approximately three hours during the stripping and recovering stage.
That timing relates to this particular project. Other roof replacements can take longer depending on the size and complexity of the roof, weather, access and any additional work required.
The Completed Work
The project renewed the roof covering with new tiles, breathable membrane and battens, together with a mechanically fixed dry ridge system.
The chimney leadwork and replacement roofline components were also included, completing the agreed roofing and guttering work over two days.
The photographs provide a record of the main roof work from the original covering through to the newly tiled roof and dry ridge.
For more examples, visit our Roofing Projects and Case Studies page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. WHAT DID THIS ROOF REPLACEMENT IN LANGLEY GREEN INCLUDE?
The work included removing the old tiles, felt and battens, installing new breathable membrane, battens and tiles, fitting a dry ridge system, attending to chimney leadwork and replacing the fascias, soffits and guttering.
2. HOW LONG DID THE WORK TAKE?
A team of four completed this project over two days. The main roof covering was finished on the first day, and the roofline and guttering work was completed on the second.
3. HOW LONG WAS THE ROOF WITHOUT ITS WEATHERPROOF COVERING?
Approximately three hours during the stripping and recovering stage. This was the timing for this particular job, rather than a guaranteed timescale for every roof replacement.
4. DID YOU REPLACE THE FELT AND BATTENS AS WELL AS THE TILES?
Yes. The existing roofing felt and battens were removed and replaced with new breathable roofing membrane and new battens before the replacement tiles were laid.
5. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRY RIDGE AND MORTAR BEDDING?
A dry ridge system mechanically secures the ridge tiles using fixings and system components. The ventilated system used here also provides ventilation at the ridge, without traditional sand-and-cement bedding.
6. WERE THE FASCIAS, SOFFITS AND GUTTERS REPLACED?
Yes. These were completed on the second day. They formed part of the project, although separate photographs of the finished roofline were not taken.
Need a Roof Replacement in Langley Green or Crawley?
If you are considering a roof replacement in Langley Green, Crawley or the surrounding area, contact Find My Roofer to discuss your property and the work required.
With around 20 years of hands-on roofing experience, we can discuss whether your roof needs a repair, replacement or further inspection.
Tell us your location, what you have noticed and what you would like help with.
Phone: 07546 947214
Email: findmyroofer@outlook.com
Use our Get a Quote page to send your enquiry. Please email any photographs separately, including your name and the property postcode.
