A remote coastal farmhouse on the outskirts of Millom had sustained repeated storm damage over several harsh winters, with the exposed western elevation taking the worst punishment from Irish Sea gales. Multiple previous patch repairs using inappropriate cement mortar and mismatched slates had left the roof in a patchwork state that was failing in new places each year. We carried out a comprehensive overhaul of both roof slopes, stripping the worst-affected areas back to the battens and relaying with properly graded natural slate to provide lasting protection against this demanding coastal environment.
Years of storm damage and poorly executed patch repairs had left this Millom farmhouse with a roof that leaked in multiple locations every time the wind exceeded 40mph — which happens frequently on this exposed coastal site. Our survey identified 17 different areas of previous patching, many using cement mortar that had cracked and lifted surrounding slates, and several sections where replacement slates of the wrong size and thickness had been forced into position. The western slope had lost approximately 40 slates entirely during the most recent storm, exposing degraded felt and soaked battens to the elements. The property owner needed a permanent solution rather than another temporary patch.
We developed a phased repair plan addressing the western slope first as the priority, followed by targeted repairs on the eastern slope. The western elevation was completely stripped, revealing batten damage across roughly 30% of the surface area. All battens were replaced with pressure-treated softwood at correct gauge spacing for the slate size. We installed a high-performance breathable membrane rated for coastal exposure before relaying with a combination of salvaged original slates and new Welsh purple slate carefully sourced for compatibility. All cement mortar patches were removed from the eastern slope and replaced with lime mortar pointing, and displaced slates were refixed with stainless steel nails rated for salt-air environments.
This farmhouse has now weathered two full winters including several named storms without a single leak — a dramatic improvement from the previous annual damage cycle. The owner reported that for the first time in years, they did not dread the autumn storm season. The combination of proper slate grading, stainless steel fixings, and coastal-rated membrane has created a roof system designed to withstand the harsh conditions at this exposed Millom coastal location for decades to come. Our 15-year guarantee covers the complete installation.
Welsh purple slate is one of the most durable natural roofing slates available, with a proven track record spanning centuries on exposed buildings across Britain. The new slates purchased for this project were quarried in North Wales and selected specifically for their density and resistance to salt-air degradation — critical properties for a coastal farmhouse near Millom that faces directly into prevailing westerly winds off the Irish Sea. Combined with the salvaged original slates, they provide a roof covering with an expected lifespan exceeding 100 years.
Standard galvanised nails corrode rapidly in coastal salt-air environments, which was a major contributing factor to the ongoing slate losses on this farmhouse. We specified A4 marine-grade stainless steel nails throughout, providing complete corrosion resistance regardless of salt exposure levels. While more expensive than standard fixings, the additional cost is negligible compared to the repeated storm damage repair costs that corroded fixings were causing every winter.
The Permavent Warm membrane installed beneath the slates is specifically rated for severe weather exposure zones and provides a UV-stable secondary barrier that remains effective even if individual slates are displaced during extreme weather. All pointing and bedding work uses NHL 5 hydraulic lime mortar — a stronger grade than standard lime mortar, selected for its superior performance in the demanding coastal environment around Millom whilst maintaining the flexibility and breathability that traditional slate roofs require.
Coastal properties demand specialist roofing knowledge and materials that stand up to salt air and severe weather. Our team has extensive experience delivering lasting slate roofing solutions for exposed properties across West Cumbria. Contact us for a free survey and honest assessment of your roof — we will recommend the most cost-effective approach to stop the cycle of storm damage on your property.
Choose which cookies you are happy for us to use. You can change your mind at any time from the Cookie settings button.
Needed for the website to work and to keep it secure, for example remembering your cookie choices, keeping a basket or booking together and protecting forms from spam. These are always on.
Remember choices you make, such as how a list is displayed, so the site works the way you prefer.
Help us understand how visitors use the website so we can improve it.
Used by third-party services such as maps, videos and social media, which may track you across other websites.