SlateRe-RoofinCharminster
A four-way roof covered in asbestos slates, with two chimneys leaning and decaying above it. All of it came off, and what went back was fibre cement slate on new felt and battens.
- Asbestos slates removed and properly disposed of
- Both chimneys taken down and the roof closed up
- Relaid in fibre cement slate with a dry ridge system
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The Charminster re-roof
Our own photographs from the job.
Captions name what stage each photo shows.
Three problems on one roof
This was a job with three separate things wrong with it, and any one of them on its own would have been a reason to call somebody. The covering was asbestos slate. That was an ordinary roofing material for decades and there is a great deal of it still on roofs around here, particularly on outbuildings and mid-century housing. It is not dangerous sitting there, but the moment it comes off a roof it has to be handled and disposed of properly rather than skipped with the rest of the waste. Above it were two chimneys, both leaning and both decaying. A leaning stack is not a cosmetic problem. It is masonry at the highest point of the building that has stopped being held together by its own mortar, and the customer had reached the point of wanting them gone rather than repaired again. And the roof itself was a four-way, which means four slopes meeting at hips, which means a great deal of ridge and hip work and no simple runs anywhere on it.
- Asbestos slate covering, needing proper removal and disposal
- Two chimneys leaning and decaying, both due to come down
- A four-way roof, so hips and ridges everywhere and no easy sections
CharminsterWhat went into it
The specification on this roof, item by item.
Asbestos slates removed and disposed of
Taken off and disposed of properly rather than going in the general waste. This is the part of an asbestos roof that matters, and it is not a corner anyone should be cutting.
Both chimneys taken down
Two leaning, decaying stacks removed rather than repaired again. Repairing a stack that has gone is money spent on something you will be paying for a second time.
The roof closed where they had been
Taking a chimney down is only half the job. The openings left behind were framed, felted, battened and tiled so there is a roof there rather than a patch.
New felt and battens throughout
The whole roof got a new membrane and new battens. With the covering off, reusing either would have been a false economy.
Fibre cement slate
The new covering. Lighter than natural slate and completely uniform, which suited this roof and this budget.
Dry ridge on the hips and ridge
On a four-way roof there is a lot of hip. All of it was finished mechanically rather than bedded in mortar, so there is nothing up there waiting to crack.
How the job ran
Chimneys first, then the covering, because the order matters here.
Scaffold and set up
Scaffold to reach both stacks as well as the roof, because taking a chimney down needs proper access at height rather than a roof ladder.
The asbestos slates came off
Removed carefully and disposed of properly. Done first, because everything else on this roof depended on getting the covering off cleanly.
Both chimneys down
Taken down while the roof was already open, which is the sensible order. Doing it the other way round means opening a finished roof back up.
Openings framed and closed
New timber where the stacks had been, then membrane, battens and slate over the top so the finished roof runs through unbroken.
Felt, batten and slate
New membrane and battens across the whole roof, then fibre cement slate laid from the eaves up.
Hips, ridge and clear up
Dry ridge on all the hips and the ridge, then waste away and the site cleared, asbestos included.
What the customer said
In their words, not ours.
George Gudge
Can't recommend Southern Counties Roofwork highly enough. I had them out for full re-roof / fascias & guttering - and the whole experience was spot on. Great communication, gave me a clear quote and explained everything properly. The team were punctual, polite, hardworking and obviously know their trade. The finished roof looks brilliant and is built to last. No mess left behind either.
Jacey Arnold
Recently had this company out to have my roof repaired after having problems with leaks during the winter months and something I had been looking to get sorted. The guys came out to take a look at the issues before quoting, once a quote was given work was agreed and I went ahead. Extremely professional, reliable and hard working! Would highly recommend this company and would definitely use again.
Celine Fox
Owen and Sam did a fantastic job with our roof. They were professional, reliable, friendly, and clearly take pride in the work they do. The work was completed to a really high standard, and everything was left clean and tidy afterwards. I’d definitely recommend to anyone looking for a trustworthy roofing company. Great service from start to finish!
Other jobs worth reading about
What we found, what we did and how long it took.
Got asbestos slates or a leaning chimney?
Both are worth looking at properly rather than worrying about. We will come and tell you where you actually stand.
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Prefer to talk? Call Southern Counties Roofworks Ltd on 07895 305286