Plain-English definitions of the roofing terms you'll hear when getting work done on a Chester property. Questions about any of these? Call 0124 463 7110.
The corrosion and failure of the iron nails that fix slates or tiles to a roof. Iron nails have an 80 to 100 year lifespan, so nail sickness affects most Chester properties built before 1970. The tiles themselves may be sound, but the fixings fail, causing slates to slip. The remedy is re-nailing or re-roofing with stainless steel fixings.
Natural blue-grey slate quarried in north Wales, used as the standard roofing material on Chester Victorian and Edwardian properties from 1860 to 1914. Prized for a 100 to 150 year lifespan and low water absorption, it remains the conservation-correct covering for period properties in Chester's designated conservation areas such as Hoole and the city centre.
Sheet lead used to waterproof the junctions where a roof meets a chimney, wall, valley or dormer. Specified by code (thickness): Code 4 for standard flashings, Code 5 for exposed parapet cappings. Correctly installed lead flashing lasts 60 to 100 years. Thermal stress cracking from overly long unjointed lengths is the most common failure on Chester period properties.
The mortar applied to the exposed joints of ridge tiles, hips, verges and chimney stacks. On Chester properties built before 1919, natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortar is required rather than modern OPC cement, which is too rigid and causes cracking and spalling. Repointing renews failed mortar and is a routine part of period roof maintenance.
A method of fixing ridge tiles mechanically with clips and screws instead of mortar bedding. Required under BS 5534 since 2014, dry ridge systems eliminate the need for future repointing, improve roof ventilation and withstand wind uplift better than mortar. Standard on Chester re-roofing work outside conservation areas where a mortar finish is required.
Glass Reinforced Plastic, a seamless flat roofing material laid as a liquid and cured into a solid waterproof layer. GRP lasts 25 to 40 years, far outperforming traditional felt, and suits Chester garage roofs, extensions and dormers. Its seamless finish eliminates the lap joints that are the usual failure points on older felt flat roofs.
The fascia is the board fixed to the rafter ends that carries the guttering; the soffit is the board beneath it, closing the eaves. On many Chester properties, timber fascias were clad in UPVC in the 1980s and 90s, trapping moisture and causing hidden rot. Ventilated soffits are essential to prevent roof-space condensation in Chester's damp climate.
A designated area of special architectural or historic interest where extra planning controls apply. Chester has several conservation areas where roofing work must use like-for-like materials, typically natural Welsh slate and lead, rather than modern concrete tile or synthetic alternatives. Conservation Area Consent may be required before changing roof materials on affected properties.
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