Roofing in Braintree, from Witham
Authentic Building & Roofing Ltd is based at 75a Church Street in Witham, a few miles south of Braintree. That makes the town and the villages around it part of our home patch. Lee Draper, who runs the business, comes out to look at the roof and talk you through what he finds.
Being close by keeps things practical. Visits are easy to fit in during the working week, and if the weather changes mid-job we can adapt without a long drive in between.
Braintree homes and their roofs
Braintree has a real mix of houses. Around the older parts of town you find Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often with slate or clay tiles, chimney stacks and lead-lined valleys. Further out are rows of post-war semis, many still carrying the concrete tiles they were built with. Newer estates on the edges of town bring modern trussed roofs with interlocking tiles.
Each type ages in its own way. Older slate roofs tend to suffer from nail fatigue, with slates sliding out one at a time. Mid-century concrete tile roofs often have perished felt underneath even when the tiles look fine. Newer houses are more likely to need attention to ridges, verges and roofline trims.
New pitched roofs and re-roofs
When a pitched roof is past repairing, we strip it back to the rafters, check the timbers, lay new breathable membrane and battens, and recover it in tile or slate to suit the house. On a terrace, that might mean matching the look of neighbouring roofs. On a semi, it might be a chance to swap tired concrete tiles for something new.
Our page on new roofs and re-roofs explains the process from scaffold to clean-up, and the new roof cost guide explains what affects the price.
Flat roofs on extensions and garages
Single-storey extensions, garages and dormers across Braintree often sit under ageing felt. When it splits or starts to pond, we replace it with GRP fibreglass or EPDM rubber, checking the deck underneath and renewing it where it has gone soft. See our flat roofing page for how the two systems compare.
Repairs and leaks
Not every problem needs a new roof. We fix slipped and broken tiles, loose ridges, worn valleys and lifted lead flashing, and we take the time to trace leaks to where they really start. If water is coming in now, our page on what to do when your roof is leaking has the first steps, then give Lee a ring. Active leaks are prioritised within working hours.
We also look after guttering, fascias and soffits, and handle building work, driveways and patios, so outdoor jobs can be planned together.
Booking a visit, and nearby areas
Call Lee on 07947 758052, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, or send your details. The site visit is free and the quote comes in writing.
Along with Braintree, we work right across Essex, including our home town of Witham. See our pages for a roofer in Chelmsford and a roofer in Colchester.
Planning roof work around a Braintree home
Many Braintree streets have tight frontages and parked cars, so scaffold, skips and deliveries need a little thought. Lee talks through where everything will go at the site visit, and how the job will run from day to day, so there are no surprises for you or the neighbours. On terraces, we also discuss where the new roof will meet next door's so the join is tidy and watertight.
If you are not sure yet whether you need a repair or a full re-roof, our guide to how long a roof lasts is a useful starting point before you call.