Roof moisture guidance
Why does condensation occur in a roof?
Condensation occurs when moisture-laden air reaches cold roof surfaces and cools below dew point; it can look like a leak, and both problems can exist together.
General guidance
Practical Guidance Before Roofing Work Begins
The Insights section explains common residential roofing considerations including refurbishment planning, surveys, existing materials, roof junctions, heritage context, access and property protection.
These guides help homeowners and professional teams understand the decisions ahead, while the correct approach still depends on the property and visible roof condition.
Articles do not replace a roof survey or legal, planning, structural, conservation or other professional advice where those matters apply.
Published guidance
Residential Roofing Guides
Insurance preparation guidance
Are roof repairs covered by insurance?
Roof-repair cover depends on policy wording, the cause of damage, maintenance history and insurer assessment; ER Group London cannot decide or promise coverage.
Repair or renewal decision guide
Do I need a new roof?
You may need a focused repair, a roof refurbishment or a complete re-roof; age alone is not a diagnosis, and the decision depends on coverings, fixings, support, junctions, drainage and repeated defects.
Roof condition guidance
How long does a roof last on average?
There is no universal roof lifespan; material, fixings, support, exposure, workmanship, junctions, drainage, maintenance and alterations all affect condition.
Contractor selection guidance
What questions should I ask a roofer before hiring?
Ask about business identity, diagnosis, inspection limits, scope, materials, access, protection, subcontractors, insurance, variations, payments, guarantees and handover before comparing quotations.
Plumbing selection guidance
Everything you need to know about hiring a plumber
Define the task, concealed access, gas and electrical boundaries, quotation scope, product coordination, protection, testing, making good and cost questions before hiring a plumber.
Slate material guidance
Types of slates for roofing
Roofing slate should be assessed by geology, thickness, dimensions, surface, edge, colour variation, fixing, provenance and roof design; matching is not colour alone.
Flat-roof leak guidance
Flat roof leak guide: causes, signs and prevention for UK homeowners
Flat-roof leaks can come from covering damage, laps, ponding, outlets, parapets, rooflights, penetrations, thresholds or concealed deck and moisture failure.
Green-roof guidance
Green Roof Guide: Build-Up, Drainage and Maintenance
A practical guide to the layers, waterproofing, drainage, access and maintenance questions to understand before deciding whether a green roof is suitable for a property.
Storm damage guidance
Storm damage to your roof: what to check next
After storm damage, check for visible slipped materials, damaged details, internal water marks and immediate safety risks, then separate temporary risk reduction from permanent repair.
Heritage roofing guidance
Roofing a Period or Conservation-Area Home in West London: What to Check Before Work Begins
A practical guide to the permissions, materials, roof details and project planning that deserve attention before work starts on an older West London home.
Residential roofing planning
Planning Roof Works Around an Occupied Home: Access, Protection and Communication
A practical guide to organising roof repairs, refurbishment or re-roofing around the people, finishes and day-to-day use of a private home.
Roof survey guidance
What a Roof Survey Can and Cannot Tell You Before Repair or Re-roofing
A homeowner’s guide to visible roof condition, access limitations, drone imagery, concealed defects and the decisions that can follow a residential roof inspection.
Property Refurbishment Guidance
Electrical Work During a Home Refurbishment: What to Plan Before Work Begins
How to define electrical scope, confirm responsibilities and coordinate testing, certification and finished surfaces within a private-home refurbishment.
Property Refurbishment Guidance
Planning Bespoke Carpentry in a Period Home: Fabric, Proportion and Finishes
How to plan fitted joinery around room use, existing fabric, services, period character and the wider refurbishment sequence.
Heritage Refurbishment Guidance
Lime Plaster and Period Home Repairs: What to Check Before Making Good
How to approach plaster repairs in a period home without assuming that every crack, damp mark or previous repair needs the same material or treatment.
Period and Heritage Roofing Guidance
Choosing a Roof Covering for a Period Home: Materials, Detail and Character
How to compare roof coverings for a period home by existing fabric, geometry, weight, detailing, maintenance and permission constraints.
Roof Insulation Guidance
Roof Insulation Types for UK Homes: Materials, Position and Moisture Risk
A practical comparison of roof-insulation families, insulation positions and moisture-control questions for UK homes.
Roof Repair & Safety Guidance
DIY Roof Repairs: What Homeowners Can Check Safely
A safe homeowner guide to recording roof problems from the ground or inside the property, understanding why leaks can be misleading and knowing when roof access needs a competent professional.
Expertise
Roofing Topics We Cover
Practical guidance for understanding materials, existing roofs and the decisions involved in residential roofing.
Planning a Roof Refurbishment
How to define objectives, understand assumptions and prepare before substantial roof work begins.
Heritage & Period Properties
Questions to consider around older roof fabric, traditional materials and conservation-sensitive property.
Roofing Materials & Details
Plain-English guidance on slate, tile, leadwork, flat-roof interfaces and visible roof character.
Roof Surveys & Inspections
What a visible-condition inspection can support, what it cannot prove and how findings shape the next step.
Architect-Led Projects
How roofing information, design intent and construction interfaces can be coordinated through the project team.
Protecting Occupied Homes
Access, temporary protection, finishes, neighbours and communication on sensitive residential projects.
Guidance standards
Clear Advice Grounded in the Property
Practical and Clear
Plain-English guidance helps readers understand the roof and prepare useful questions.
Property-Specific
Fabric, access, permissions and concealed conditions can all change the right answer for an individual home.
Inspection Matters
Guidance can explain what to investigate, but meaningful recommendations follow an inspection of the property.
Professional Advice
Planning, structural and conservation matters should be addressed by the relevant appointed professional.
Realistic Cost and Timing
Cost and timing depend on the work, access, materials, approvals, weather and discovered conditions.
Residential Focus
Every guide is written for private homes and the practical decisions faced by owners and project teams.
Explore further
From Guidance to Your Own Project
Roofing services
Explore the Work We Undertake
Our service pages explain roof refurbishment, surveys, leadwork, slate, tile and flat roofing in more detail.
- Roofing disciplines
- Materials and details
- Residential expertise
Project types
See How We Work With Different Properties
Our project pages cover substantial homes, professional teams, period properties, listed buildings and prime London refurbishment settings.
- Property context
- Professional-team involvement
- Delivery planning
Case studies
See the Work in Practice
Our case studies show how roofing materials, property context and careful delivery come together on completed projects.
- Completed projects
- Roofing details
- Property context
Next Steps
Discuss a Residential Roofing Project
Use the guidance to prepare the property context, known roof concerns, project stage and any drawings, reports or photographs available.