Roofing services in St Albans and across Hertfordshire
Everything on the roof and attached to it: repairs, emergency call-outs, full re-roofs, flat roofs, chimneys and leadwork, fascias and guttering, inspections and roof windows. One written price, a 15 year guarantee and photos of the work as it goes.
5.0 on TrustATrader · 4.8 on Google550+ roofs completed15 year guarantee
Roof repairs
Roof repairs in St Albans and Hertfordshire
A slipped tile, a cracked ridge or a valley that has started to let water through does not need a new roof. It needs someone who will get up there, find the real cause and fix it properly, for a price that is written down before the work starts.
Holmlea Roofing carries out roof repairs across St Albans, Hatfield, Watford, Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding towns every week. Jack inspects the roof himself, photographs what he finds and explains the options in plain English. If a repair is all it needs, that is what we quote for. If the roof is on its last legs we will say so and show you why, so you can decide with the facts in front of you.
- Leaking roof repairs and leak tracing
- Slipped, cracked and missing tiles or slates
- Ridge, hip and verge repointing and dry ridge systems
- Valley repairs and relining
- Storm damage repairs with photos for your insurer
- Felt, batten and timber repairs under the tiles
Emergency repairs
Emergency roof repairs across Hertfordshire
When rain is coming through the ceiling or a storm has lifted the ridge, the first job is to make the house safe and dry. Call us and we will get to you as quickly as we can, make the roof weathertight and tell you exactly what the permanent fix involves.
One of our TrustATrader reviews describes Jack and the team being on site the very next day for an urgent tile repair, spotting two other problems while they were up there and putting those right at the same time. That is how we work: deal with the emergency, then fix it properly rather than leaving a patch that fails next winter. Emergency work is priced the same way as everything else, in writing, with no premium for the urgency.
- Fast response to active leaks across St Albans and Herts
- Temporary weatherproofing and tarpaulins where needed
- Storm and wind damage made safe
- Dislodged tiles, ridge pieces and flashings secured
- Photos and a written quote for the permanent repair
- No call-out premium: the same fair price, written down
Re-roofing
Re-roofing and new roofs in St Albans
When a roof has reached the end of its life, patching it becomes a false economy. A full re-roof strips it back to the rafters, replaces the membrane, battens and any tired timber, and lays a new covering that will last for decades.
We re-roof houses across St Albans, Harpenden, Hatfield, Watford and Hemel Hempstead in clay tile, concrete tile and natural slate. Every re-roof includes a new breathable membrane, treated battens, dry ridge and dry verge systems where they suit the roof, and the chimney leadwork and guttering done as part of the job rather than left as extras. You get a written, itemised price before we start, photos as the work goes along, and a 15 year guarantee in writing when it signs off.
- Full strip and re-tile or re-slate
- Clay, concrete and natural slate roofs
- New breathable membrane, battens and loft insulation
- Dry ridge and dry verge systems that stay put in high winds
- Chimney leadwork, fascias and guttering done with the roof
- 15 year guarantee in writing on every new roof
Flat roofs
Flat roofing in St Albans and Hertfordshire
Flat roofs fail quietly. A ponding puddle, a cracked felt seam or a blister that lets water sit under the covering can go unnoticed until a stain appears on the ceiling below. We repair and replace flat roofs on garages, extensions, porches, bay windows and dormers.
For most homes we recommend EPDM rubber or GRP fibreglass: both are seamless, both carry long manufacturer guarantees, and both suit the kind of extension and garage roofs found across Hatfield, Borehamwood and Potters Bar. Where a felt roof is the right call we torch it on properly with the correct falls so the water actually leaves. We can also upgrade a cold flat roof to an insulated warm roof while we are at it, which makes a real difference to the room underneath.
- EPDM rubber roofing
- GRP fibreglass roofing
- Torch-on felt roofing
- Garage, extension, porch and dormer roofs
- Flat roof repairs and leak fixes
- Insulated warm-roof upgrades
Chimneys and lead
Chimney repairs and leadwork in Hertfordshire
Most roof leaks around a chimney are not the chimney at all. They are tired lead flashing, a cracked back gutter or mortar joints that have washed out over the years. We fix all of it, from a simple repoint to taking a leaning stack down and rebuilding it.
The Victorian and Edwardian houses across St Albans and Watford have tall stacks that take a lot of weather, and the interwar semis in Hatfield and Potters Bar often have chimneys that have never been touched. We repoint and rebuild in matching brick and mortar, replace lead flashings, soakers and aprons in Code 4 and Code 5 lead, fit pots, cowls and bird guards, and where a chimney is no longer used we can remove it below the roofline and tile over, or cap and vent it.
- Chimney repointing and partial or full rebuilds
- Lead flashing, step flashing, soakers and back gutters
- Chimney removal and capping
- Pots, cowls and bird guards
- Lead valleys and aprons in Code 4 and 5 lead
- Chimney leak investigation with photos
Fascias and gutters
Fascias, soffits and guttering in St Albans
Rotten timber fascias, soffits with the paint peeling off and gutters that overflow in heavy rain are the jobs that get put off and then cause expensive damage to brickwork and timber. We replace them in low-maintenance uPVC and fit guttering that actually carries the water away.
We fit new fascias, soffits, bargeboards and guttering as part of a re-roof or as a stand-alone job, and we repair, realign and clear existing guttering across St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Watford. Ventilated soffits keep air moving through the loft, which stops condensation and extends the life of the roof timbers above.
- uPVC fascia and soffit replacement
- New guttering and downpipes
- Gutter repairs, realignment and leak fixes
- Gutter cleaning and clearing
- Bargeboards and cladding
- Ventilated soffits for loft airflow
Inspections
Roof inspections and maintenance in Hertfordshire
A roof looked at once a year costs very little to keep right. A roof ignored for ten years turns a slipped tile into rotten battens and a stained ceiling. We survey roofs, photograph them and tell you what needs doing now, what can wait and what is fine.
Our inspections are popular with buyers and sellers around St Albans and Harpenden who want an honest view of the roof before a sale goes through, and with homeowners who would rather know than guess. Alongside the survey we clear gutters, remove moss, replace the odd slipped tile and reseal flashings while we are up there, so one visit deals with everything.
- Roof condition surveys with a photo report
- Pre-purchase and pre-sale roof checks
- Moss removal and roof cleaning
- Gutter clearing and downpipe checks
- Minor repairs done on the same visit
- Annual maintenance visits
Roof windows
Velux and roof windows in St Albans
A roof window turns a dark loft or landing into a bright, usable space. We fit new Velux and other roof windows into tiled and slate roofs, replace old or leaking roof lights, and fix the flashings around existing ones.
Fitting a roof window properly is as much about the flashing kit and the tiling around it as the window itself, which is why a roofer should do it rather than a general builder. We install, replace and weatherproof roof windows across St Albans, Hatfield and Watford, and we repair the leaks that appear around badly fitted ones.
- New Velux and roof window installation
- Replacing old or leaking roof windows
- Correct flashing kits for tile and slate
- Loft, landing and dormer roof windows
- Blinds, ventilation and opening options
- Leak repairs around existing roof lights
FAQ
Questions we get asked about roofing.
Straight answers from Jack. Anything else, ring him.
How much does a roof repair cost?
It depends on what is wrong and how easy it is to reach, so we never price over the phone. Jack looks at the roof, photographs the problem and gives you a written price that covers everything, including access. Small tile and ridge repairs are usually a few hundred pounds; the quote is free and there is no obligation.
How quickly can you come out to a leaking roof?
Get in touch and we will arrange to come out as quickly as we can, usually within a day or two and sooner when water is actively coming in. If it is pouring through, move anything valuable, put a bucket under it and ring us straight away on 07385 284149.
How long does a re-roof take?
A typical three-bed semi takes about a week from the scaffold going up to the clear-up, longer for larger or more complex roofs. Jack gives you a programme with the quote and the team turns up every day until it is finished. The house stays watertight throughout.
Should I repair or replace my flat roof?
If the covering is generally sound and the problem is one seam or a small split, a repair makes sense. If the felt is brittle, the roof is holding water or it has been patched more than once, a new EPDM or GRP roof is usually cheaper in the long run. Jack will tell you honestly which it is.
Why is my chimney leaking when it looks fine from the ground?
Lead flashing pulls away from the brickwork a few millimetres at a time, mortar joints wash out, and the back gutter behind the stack is the first place water collects. None of that shows from the ground. Jack gets up and looks, photographs it and quotes for the real problem.
Can you replace the fascias without a new roof?
Yes. Fascias, soffits and guttering are a job in their own right and most of the ones we do are stand-alone. We lift the bottom row of tiles, strip the old timber back, fit the new boards and refit the tiles and gutters, usually in a day or two.
Do I need a roof inspection before buying a house?
A standard survey rarely goes up on the roof. If the house is older or the surveyor has flagged the roof, an inspection by a roofer gives you a photographed report of its real condition and a price for anything that needs doing, which is useful to have before you exchange.
Do I need planning permission for a Velux window?
Usually not. Roof windows that do not project more than 150mm from the roof plane normally fall under permitted development, though conservation areas and listed buildings are different. We will tell you if your property needs a check before we fit anything.
Free quote
Get your free roofing quote.
A few details is all it takes. Jack will call you back, come out and inspect the roof, then send a written quote with photos of what he found. No pressure, no obligation.
- Send your details or call 07385 284149.
- Free inspection at a time that suits you.
- Written quote with the work itemised, and a 15 year guarantee when it is done.
