Pigletjohn guttering help please

[deathbollywood]

We have an original slate roof. The felt is pretty knackered but we don't want to replace the whole roof. The guttering is also broken in places and causing a particular patch of damp and water ingress. Would it be stupid to replace that part of guttering without doing the whole roof?

bumping

@PigletJohn

You might have better luck if you tag their name

Guttering is a minor job, unless you need full scaffolding

But when you need roof repairs, it may be best to renew at least the worst slope.

You did not say how old it is.

The nails may be rusting away. I am in a coastal area and the slates were originally nailed in bronze. Stainless are now used.

Real slates are expensive. Sometimes you can rescue enough originals to relay the front of the house. You can get reasonable synthetic slates that are good enough for the back. Clay tiles are heavier and liable to make your roof sag, as well as spoiling the look of the house. Concrete tiles are awful.

Beware the roofer who insists on buying new, and carefully packs the original slates into his van, especially if he brings someone to inspect them before he strips the roof.

@PigletJohn thank you. Its victoriana so around 120/30 years. The leaking is next to a chimney and we would probably need scaffolding as it's above a conservatory. I didn't realise we could replace part of the roof.

At that age it is highly likely to need renovation.

Borrow some binoculars to inspect it.

Look for tiles slipping or tilting where the nails have gone

The roof timbers are most likely quite frail, being designed for lightweight slates.

Ask other local owners of old houses who they used

Summer is a better time for roofing

If the chimney is permanently out of use it can be useful to remove it to below the roofline and roof over it. Old chimneys need repeated maintenance and tend to have leaks round them.