General Roofing

What general roofing covers

What it is

General roofing covers the maintenance and detailing that keeps a roof in good order: ridge repointing, chimney work, gutters, fascias and soffits, moss removal, and the supply and fitting of Velux roof windows. It also includes routine roof maintenance, where small defects are found and fixed before they become leaks.

Who it's for

General roofing suits any homeowner or landlord in Edinburgh who wants to keep a roof in good condition, deal with a specific detail such as a leaking gutter or crumbling chimney, or add a roof window to a loft or room.

When you need it

Call for general roofing when gutters overflow or leak, fascias and soffits are rotten or sagging, ridge mortar is cracked, chimney pots or flaunching are damaged, moss has built up heavily on the roof, or you want more light in a loft with a Velux window.

Why experience matters

These jobs look small, but they need safe access and the right approach. Overflowing gutters can soak walls; a failed ridge can let water straight into the roof. Robert has 22 years' experience on every part of the roof and is fully insured to work at height.

Recent general roofing work

  • Roofing work on a slate roof with a dormer and scaffold, Edinburgh
  • Velux window fitted in a slate roof beside a flat roof, Edinburgh
  • Two Velux windows in a slate roof beside a flat roof, Edinburgh
  • Damaged chimney stack on a slate roof before repair, Edinburgh
  • Chimney stack taken down to roof level during a repair, Edinburgh

The cost of waiting

What neglected roof details lead to

A roof is only as watertight as its weakest detail. Gutters, ridges and chimneys take a lot of weather, and when they fail, water ends up in walls, lofts and rooms.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Ignoring an overflowing gutter until the wall below shows damp.
  • Pressure-washing a roof to remove moss, which can damage slates and tiles.
  • Filling ridge cracks with sealant rather than repointing.
  • Leaving rotten fascias in place behind new gutters.
  • Fitting a roof window without proper flashings for the roof covering.

Overflowing gutters soak walls

Blocked or sagging gutters spill water down the face of the building, leading to damp walls and damaged render or stone.

Loose ridges let water in

Cracked ridge mortar allows water into the top of the roof and lets wind lift ridge tiles.

Chimney hazards

Damaged pots, cracked flaunching and failed pointing can let water into the stack and create a falling hazard.

Moss holds water

Heavy moss holds moisture on slates and tiles, can lift them, and blocks gutters and outlets.

How Robert works

A clear process, from first look to finished roof

  1. 1

    Inspection

    Robert checks the relevant details and the roof around them, noting anything else that needs attention.

  2. 2

    Advice

    He explains what needs doing now and what can wait, so you can plan sensibly.

  3. 3

    Fixed-price quote

    You get a clear price for the agreed work before anything starts.

  4. 4

    Roofing work

    Ridges are repointed, chimneys repaired, gutters and fascias renewed, moss removed or roof windows fitted as agreed.

  5. 5

    Check and guarantee

    The work is checked, the site cleared, and it is covered by Robert's workmanship guarantee.

What you get

The result of doing it properly

  • Problems caught early

    Maintaining details prevents small defects turning into leaks and larger repairs.

  • Water directed away

    Working gutters and sound fascias keep water off walls and away from foundations.

  • Safer chimneys and ridges

    Secured pots, flaunching and ridges reduce the risk of falling debris.

  • More light with Velux windows

    A roof window brings daylight into lofts and top-floor rooms, fitted with correct flashings.

  • Fixed price

    You know the cost before work begins.

  • One roofer for every detail

    Robert handles the whole roof, so nothing falls between trades.

In detail

General roofing services in detail

These are the details that keep an Edinburgh roof working year after year.

Ridge repointing

Ridge and hip tiles bedded in mortar need repointing or rebedding as the mortar ages and cracks. Doing this before tiles loosen keeps the ridge secure and watertight.

Chimney work

Chimney work includes repointing stacks, renewing flaunching around pots, replacing pots and cowls, and renewing the leadwork where the chimney meets the roof. See leadwork and rendering for rendered stacks.

Gutters, fascias and soffits

Gutters collect water from the roof and need to be clear, correctly aligned and securely fixed. Fascias and soffits support the gutters and close the eaves; when they rot or sag, they are replaced so the gutter has a sound fixing.

Moss removal

Moss is removed carefully by hand to avoid damaging slates and tiles, and gutters are cleared of debris afterwards. Removing moss helps the roof shed water and dry properly.

Velux roof windows

Robert supplies and fits Velux roof windows, integrating the correct flashing kit with your slate or tile roof so the window stays watertight. Roof windows bring daylight into loft rooms, stairwells and bathrooms.

Routine roof maintenance

Most roofs benefit from being looked at periodically and after severe weather. A maintenance visit focuses on the details that fail first: slipped slates or tiles, loose ridges, blocked gutters and outlets, moss build-up and lifted lead. Fixing these early keeps small jobs small and extends the life of the roof. For landlords and owners of older properties, planned maintenance is also a way of spreading costs rather than facing a large repair all at once. Robert will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what to keep an eye on, so you can plan sensibly. Everything is quoted at a fixed price before any work starts.

Gutter and eaves problems explained

Water marks on the wall below a gutter, drips from joints, or gutters that overflow in heavy rain usually point to blockages, failed joints, incorrect falls or loose brackets. Rotten fascia boards behind the gutter make the problem worse, as the brackets lose their grip and the gutter sags. Robert checks the gutter run, the fascia and the eaves together, so the fix deals with the cause rather than just clearing the gutter and leaving the underlying issue in place.

General Roofing across Edinburgh and its neighbourhoods

Edinburgh's housing stock changes street by street. Tenements and terraces in Leith and Stockbridge, Victorian and Edwardian villas in Morningside and Colinton, seafront homes in Portobello exposed to salt air, and post-war and modern housing in Corstorphine, Liberton and South Queensferry all present different challenges. Robert has worked across all of them over 22 years, so he knows how roofs in each part of the city were built and how they tend to wear.

Wherever you are in Edinburgh, the approach to general roofing is the same. Robert looks at the job himself, explains what he has found in plain language, and gives you a clear, fixed-price quote so you know exactly what you are paying before any work starts. R Galloway Roofing Services is owner-operated and fully insured with public liability and employer's liability cover, and the workmanship is guaranteed. You deal with one person from the first phone call to the finished job.

To arrange a visit, call Robert on 07756 375223 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm) or send a request using the form below. You can also read more about Robert or return to the homepage.

Straight answers

General Roofing: questions answered

Something not covered here? Contact Robert or call directly.

Ask Robert: 07756 375223
How much does general roofing work cost?

It depends on the job and access. Robert gives a fixed-price quote after seeing what is needed.

How long do these jobs take?

Many maintenance jobs are completed quickly. Robert will give you a timeline with the quote.

Do you supply and fit Velux windows?

Yes. Robert supplies and fits Velux roof windows with flashings to suit your roof.

Can you remove moss from my roof?

Yes. Moss is removed carefully by hand and gutters cleared afterwards.

Do you replace gutters, fascias and soffits?

Yes. Robert repairs and replaces gutters, fascias and soffits.

Is the work guaranteed?

Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed. Robert will explain what applies when he quotes.

Can you check my roof over while you are up there?

Robert will note anything else he sees that needs attention and tell you plainly, so you can decide what to do.

Which areas do you cover?

Edinburgh including Leith, Portobello, Morningside, Corstorphine, Stockbridge, Colinton, Liberton and South Queensferry.

Keep every part of your roof working

Tell Robert what needs attention. He will take a look and give you a fixed price. Fully insured, workmanship guaranteed.

Request a quote

Get a clear, fixed price for your roof

Tell Robert what's going on with your roof. He'll come back to you personally to arrange a look and give you a fixed price.

07756 375223

Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm

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