The property, built in the mid-1960s, had its original concrete interlocking tiles still in place after nearly sixty years of exposure to Barrow's harsh coastal weather. A severe storm in late autumn dislodged over forty tiles from the south-west facing elevation, exposing the ageing roofing felt beneath. Water had already begun tracking through to the bedroom ceilings below, causing damp patches and early signs of mould. The existing timber battens were saturated and several had split along their length, meaning a simple tile replacement would not be sufficient. The Barrow-in-Furness homeowner contacted us on an emergency basis after two other contractors declined the job due to access difficulties caused by the narrow alleyway between the properties.
Our tile roofing team began with a thorough scaffold erection along the full gable elevation, working closely with the neighbour to arrange access. We stripped the entire south-west roof slope back to the rafters, removing all original tiles, perished felt, and rotten battens. After treating the exposed rafter feet with a preservative solution, we installed Cromar Vent 3 breathable membrane across the full slope, followed by 50mm x 25mm treated softwood battens at 343mm gauge to suit the Marley Ludlow Plus profile. Every tile was mechanically fixed with stainless steel clips to meet the BS 5534 wind uplift requirements for this exposed coastal location. New dry-fix ridge tiles replaced the old mortar-bedded ridges, and we fitted a continuous eaves ventilation strip to ensure adequate airflow through the roof void. We also replaced three courses of lead stepped flashing where the roof meets the party wall, tying into the existing lead work on the adjoining property.
The completed reroof has given the homeowner a roof built to modern standards with a projected lifespan of over fifty years. The breathable membrane eliminates the condensation problems that plagued the original felt, while the mechanical fixing of every tile means the roof can withstand wind speeds exceeding 130 mph. The dry-fix ridge system requires no ongoing maintenance compared to the old mortar bedding, which had been cracking and admitting water for years. The homeowner reported that the bedroom damp patches dried out completely within three weeks of completion, and a follow-up thermal imaging check confirmed no residual moisture in the roof timbers.
We selected the Marley Ludlow Plus for this tile roofing project due to its proven track record in exposed coastal locations. These concrete interlocking tiles offer a coverage rate of 9.7 tiles per square metre at the standard 343mm gauge, with a minimum head lap of 75mm providing excellent weather resistance. The smooth grey finish complements the existing streetscape along Rawlinson Street, and the tiles carry a 15-year manufacturer's guarantee against manufacturing defects. Each tile weighs approximately 4.4kg, giving the roof significant mass to resist wind uplift.
Cromar Vent 3 is a high-performance three-layer breathable roofing membrane with a water vapour transmission rate exceeding 1,000g/m²/24hrs. Unlike the original bituminous felt that trapped moisture against the rafters, this modern membrane allows water vapour to escape from the roof void while maintaining a fully waterproof external barrier. It is BBA-certified and compliant with BS 5250 for use in cold roof constructions, making it ideal for this Barrow-in-Furness property where maritime air moisture levels are consistently high.
All lead flashing work used Code 4 milled lead sheet to BS EN 12588, providing 1.8mm thickness for excellent malleability and a lifespan exceeding 100 years. The stepped flashings were cut to 150mm wide soakers dressed 75mm onto the tile surface and 75mm into the raked mortar joints of the party wall, ensuring a completely watertight junction.
Every fixing used on this project — from tile clips to batten nails to ridge straps — was A2-grade stainless steel. In a coastal town like Barrow, standard galvanised fixings can corrode within 15-20 years due to salt-laden air, ultimately leading to tile slippage and roof repairs. Stainless steel fixings are expected to outlast the tiles themselves.
Whether you need emergency tile roof repairs, a complete reroof, or just an honest assessment of your roof's condition, Mr Roofer UK is your trusted local roofer in Barrow-in-Furness. With decades of experience working on properties across the Furness peninsula, we understand the unique challenges that coastal weather presents. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation survey and quotation — we typically respond within 24 hours and can arrange emergency call-outs for urgent roof repairs.
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