Carolyn
Google review · 5.0 ★
The work was carried out efficiently and well and I am very pleased with the result.
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Independent Kent roofer with over 30 years experience · Direct personal service across Sittingbourne and North Kent
Call Chris: 01795 904566Checkatrade & Three Best Rated® verified
Clay Tile Repairs in Sittingbourne and Kent Peg Tile Specialists
With over thirty years of hands-on roofing experience across Sittingbourne and Swale, I diagnose and fix leaking handmade clay and Kent peg tile roofs directly, with no sales reps and no subcontractors. Call 01795 904566 to arrange an honest, thorough roof inspection and secure a watertight repair for your property.
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Expert Clay Tile Repairs in Sittingbourne and North Kent
If your property features traditional clay or Kent peg tiles, you know that maintaining the watertight integrity of your roof requires a specialist touch. I have spent over thirty years roofing across Sittingbourne, Faversham, and Canterbury, handling everything from individual slipped tiles to complex leak diagnosis on period homes. As a Bapchild-based independent roofer, I provide an honest, direct service with no subcontractors. Whether you have handmade clay tiles in a Faversham conservation area or machine-made pantiles on a Sittingbourne semi, I personally inspect your roof to identify cracked tiles, perished battens, or failing mortar. If you have spotted a leak or a slipped tile, do not wait for the damage to spread to your rafters. Call me directly on 01795 904566 for a straightforward assessment.
Deal directly with your roofer from survey to sign-off
With over thirty years of trade experience across Sittingbourne, Chris Baker personally inspects your property, quotes the job, and completes the work with no salesmen or subcontractors.
What is included
- Full loft space and roof inspection by Chris Baker to pinpoint active water ingress
- Sourcing and matching authentic Kent peg, handmade clay, or machine plain tiles
- Careful replacement of spalled, cracked, or slipped tiles without disturbing sound courses
- Decayed timber batten sections cut back and replaced with treated roofing timber
- Localised underlay repairs using breathable membrane beneath failing courses
- Re-hanging with timber pegs or fixing with non-corrosive copper nails to prevent slippage
- Inspection, re-dressing, or replacement of Code 4 lead soakers, valleys, and flashings
- Traditional mortar re-bedding and repointing for ridge, bonnet, and hip tiles
Signs You Need Clay Tile Repairs
- Spalled, cracked, or delaminated clay tile fragments collecting in your gutters or on paths after hard frost
- Slipped, crooked, or missing Kent peg tiles exposing underlying battens where pegs have rotted or fixings failed
- Perished, crumbling bedding mortar washing out from the ridge line, bonnet hips, or roof valleys
- Damp patches, tide marks, or active water ingress on ceilings and rafters after driving Swale rain
- Visible dips or uneven courses across the roof pitch, often showing daylight through the underlay inside your loft
Clay Tile Repairs in Sittingbourne: our recent work
Every photo is one of our own jobs.
How it works
01
Direct Roof Assessment
I personally inspect your roof pitch and loft space to pinpoint cracked tiles, perished underlay, or failing battens causing water ingress.
02
Kent Clay Matching
We source authentic Kent peg or handmade clay tiles that accurately match the size, weathering, and profile of your Sittingbourne home.
03
Precision Hand Tiling
I strip the affected area, repair rotten timber laths, and hand-fit the replacement clay tiles to ensure complete weatherproofing.
04
Final Check & Sign-Off
We clear every scrap of debris from your gutters and provide clear photos of the finished repair so you can see the results from ground level.
With over thirty years working on Kent roofs, I inspect the tiles, battens, and flashings myself to fix the root cause of water ingress rather than offering a temporary patch.
Clay Tile Repairs in Sittingbourne: your questions answered
Why are the clay tiles on my Sittingbourne home starting to crumble or flake?
This is usually down to "spalling." Because clay is porous, it can soak up moisture. If that moisture freezes and expands, it can cause the face of the tile to flake off. Over time, the tile becomes thin and brittle, eventually snapping. If you see red grit or shards of tile in your gutters, it is a sign that your roof tiles are reaching the end of their natural life. I can inspect the roof and tell you if you just need a few tiles swapped out or if the problem is widespread enough to require a full replacement.
Can you match my existing handmade clay tiles for a repair in Canterbury?
Yes. I take great care to match the colour, texture, and size of your existing tiles. Whether it is handmade clay tiles in Canterbury or traditional pegs in Faversham, I work with local suppliers to find the best match. Using the wrong tile not only looks bad but can also cause drainage issues and leaks if they don't interlock or sit flush with the rest of the roof.
What is the main cause of clay tiles slipping out of place?
In many older Sittingbourne properties, tiles were held in place with iron nails that eventually rust away—this is often called "nail sickness." Once the nail heads perish, there is nothing holding the tile to the batten except gravity and the tiles around it. Wind or vibration can then cause them to slide down. I can replace these tiles and, where necessary, use modern stainless steel or copper fixings that won't rust, ensuring your roof stays secure for decades.
Do you handle chimney repointing and leadwork alongside tile repairs?
I do. Often, a leak that looks like a broken tile is actually a failure in the lead flashing around a chimney or a crack in the mortar "haunching" at the top of the stack. As part of my pitched roof maintenance in Kent, I check all these vulnerable areas. If your chimney stack in Rochester or Chatham needs repointing or the lead valley in your roof has split, I can repair those at the same time I'm fixing your tiles.
Will I need scaffolding for a small clay tile repair?
It depends on the height, pitch, and access to your roof. I always prioritise safety and follow the proper regulations. For very minor repairs, I can sometimes work from ladders or a tower, but for larger jobs or steep pitches, scaffolding is often necessary to do the job right and safely. I will always discuss the logistics and any extra costs for scaffolding with you upfront before any work starts.
Clay Tile Repairs in Sittingbourne and across
- in Ashford
- in Canterbury
- in Chatham
- in Faversham
- in Fordwich
- in Gillingham
- in Gravesend
- in Herne Bay
- in Maidstone
- in Minster
- in Northfleet
- in Paddock Wood
- in Queenborough
- in Rochester
- in Sheerness
- in Sittingbourne
- in Snodland
- in Tenterden
- in West Malling
- in Whitstable
Related services
Guides
Common Issues with Clay Tile Roofs in Swale
Clay tiles are durable, but they are not immune to the harsh conditions we see in Kent. In areas exposed to driving rain from the Swale estuary, I frequently encounter nail sickness, where the original metal fixings corrode and snap, leaving tiles to slip out of position. On older Victorian worker cottages in Sittingbourne, frost can cause spalling, where the surface of the clay breaks away and fills your gutters with red silt. Moss accumulation is another major culprit; it traps moisture against the tile surface, leading to rapid degradation in freezing temperatures. I assess the condition of your roof, looking for these specific signs of distress before any repair work begins.
Emma Woodcock
Google review · 5.0 ★
The work force went above and beyond to do the job, Very polite, great communication and happy with the work completed. Would definitely recommend these men"
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chloe
Google review · 5.0 ★
Roof repair on my tiled roof. Good communication and a fair price! Would highly recommend 5🌟
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kristie baker
Google review · 5.0 ★
Great service, would recommend.
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david checksfield
Google review · 5.0 ★
Re: refelt garage roof ,Chris was very helpful, and his lads worked very hard on a very hot day, clean and tidy,great finish highly recommend
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Our guarantee
The Repair Process: Beyond Replacing a Single Tile
A lasting repair involves more than just swapping out a broken tile. I start by inspecting the underlying felt, which is often the primary barrier against water ingress. If the bituminous 1F felt has become brittle or torn, the entire section must be carefully stripped to inspect the condition of the timber battens beneath. When I conduct a repair, I use stainless steel or copper fixings to prevent future corrosion. If the underlying timber has rotted due to long-term leakage, I replace the section with treated battens to ensure your roof structure remains sound. My process ensures that the repair integrates seamlessly with your existing roof slope.
Covered
- Workmanship on full strip and retile projects and new tiled roofs
- Milled lead flashings, dry valleys, ridges, and verges we install
- Seamless GRP fibreglass and high-performance flat roof systems
- Targeted roof repairs as agreed on your written quotation
On top
- Tile, slate, and membrane manufacturer product warranties
- Clear photographic evidence of battening, felting, and finished work
- Direct contact with Chris Baker throughout—no sales reps or subcontractors
- Guidance on Building Regulations Part L requirements for re-roofs
Not covered
- Extreme storm damage, gale uplift, or tree strikes occurring after completion
- Adjoining roof pitches, shared walls, or areas outside our agreed scope
- Subsequent foot traffic or modifications carried out by third-party trades
- Water ingress caused by uncleaned, blocked, or overflowing gutters
The guarantee for your job is written on your quote before you agree to anything. Read the full guarantee.
Roof trouble in Sittingbourne? Speak directly with Chris Baker
Call 01795 904566 for straightforward advice from an experienced local roofer. I inspect every roof myself, explain the exact issue plainly, and provide a clear, no-obligation quote with zero subcontractors.