What are Ware's roofs like?

Ware made its fortune from malt. For centuries barley from the surrounding farms was turned into malt here and shipped down the Lea to London, and the town still has many former maltings, some now homes and offices. Around them sit timber-framed houses, Georgian fronts and Victorian streets, under a mix of handmade clay plain tiles, slate and later concrete tiles. A large part of the centre lies within a conservation area, and listed buildings are plentiful.

Away from the centre, the estates built after the war and newer housing on the edges of town have simpler roofs, often concrete interlocking tiles with flat-roofed garages and extensions.

What repairs come up most?

slipped and broken clay plain tiles on older cottages and terraces
worn mortar on ridges, hips and chimney stacks
lead flashings round dormers and stacks on period houses
flat roofs on extensions and garages across the estates
gutters on cottages where the eaves sit low over a lane

Old clay tiles often hang on oak pegs or nails that have rusted. Matching a handmade tile can take some searching, so a roofer may suggest reclaimed tiles.

Do I need consent for work on an old Ware house?

If the building is listed, roof repairs that change materials or appearance can need listed building consent from East Herts Council. In the conservation area, check before swapping clay tiles for something different. Like-for-like repairs on an unlisted house are not usually a planning matter.

Converted maltings often have long, steep or unusual roofs, and if you own a flat in one, the freeholder or management company is usually responsible for the main roof.

What about access?

Many houses in the centre sit right on the pavement, and some lanes are narrow. A scaffold on the footway needs a licence from Hertfordshire County Council, which the scaffolder normally applies for. Working at height safely is the roofer's job.

What about the riverside and villages?

Stanstead Abbotts and Great Amwell have older houses and cottages beside the river and the New River, and Wareside and the smaller villages have farmhouses and barns. Barns and old roofs are popular with bats, which are protected, so mention anything you have seen.

How do I start?

Tell us your postcode and what the roof is doing. We pass your enquiry to a roofer who covers SG12, if one does, and tell you if not.

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local roofer, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.