Service
Guttering, fascias and roofline repairs
Short answer
Gutters and downpipes take rain away from your walls. When they block, leak or rust, water soaks into stone and timber. A roofer can clear, re-seal or replace them, and repair fascias and soffits. On a listed building, ask the council before you change cast iron to plastic. Compare the local firms that list this work.
Firms found on a trade register first, then A to Z.
| Firm | Based in | Does | Checks | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotswold Period RoofingLtd company 06708480 | Badsey WR11 | Roof repairs, Chimneys, Flat roofs, Leadwork, +4 | 0800 955 8059Website | |
| Empire Roofing Services (Oxford) LtdLtd company 12402998 | Witney OX29 | Flat roofs, Slate, Stone slate, Tiled roofs, +8 | 01993 259226Website | |
| Woodstock RoofingLtd company 00854062 | Chipping Norton OX7 | Flat roofs, Slate, Tiled roofs, Stone slate, +4 | 01608 644 644Website | |
| Always Roofing And Home Improvements | Chipping Norton OX7 | Roof repairs, Re-roofing, Flat roofs, Chimneys, +2 | Trading, no register found | 07473 151 362Website |
| Cole Roofing | Pershore WR10 | Roof repairs, Re-roofing, Flat roofs, Guttering and roofline | Trading, no register found | 07586 407635Website |
| Cotswold Countryside RoofingLtd company 15518792 | Cheltenham GL51 | Re-roofing, Emergency repairs, Flat roofs, Leadwork, +7 | Trading, no register found | 01452 458131Website |
| Cotswold Pitch Roofing and Repairs | Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 | Re-roofing, Roof repairs, Chimneys, Guttering and roofline | Trading, no register found | 07989 664605Website |
| Cotswold Roof Co. | Tewkesbury GL20 | Slate, Tiled roofs, Stone slate, Listed and heritage, +4 | Trading, no register found | 01242 805149Website |
| JM Roofing Contractors | Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 | Stone slate, Tiled roofs, Re-roofing, Roof repairs, +3 | Trading, no register found | 07867 425 844Website |
| Manor Home and GardenLtd company 06400342 | Cirencester GL7 | Stone slate, Slate, Roof repairs, Re-roofing, +2 | Trading, no register found | 01285 654905Website |
| MT & Sons RoofingLtd company 13001423 | Witney OX28 | Roof repairs, Re-roofing, Flat roofs, Slate, +5 | Trading, no register found | 07842 085106Website |
| WDV Roofing & Property MaintenanceLtd company 16585335 | Stroud | Slate, Tiled roofs, Stone slate, Flat roofs, +3 | Trading, no register found | 07591 564096Website |
| WN Roofing | Cheltenham GL50 | Re-roofing, Tiled roofs, Slate, Leadwork, +5 | Trading, no register found | 01242 373557Website |
No firms match. Clear a filter to see more.
What gutter and roofline work involves
Gutter and roofline work keeps rainwater moving off the roof and away from the walls. It covers gutters, downpipes, fascias, soffits and bargeboards.
Common jobs are clearing gutters, re-sealing joints, re-fixing brackets, and replacing rusted or cracked lengths. Roofline jobs include new fascia, soffit or bargeboard timbers, or uPVC where that is allowed.
Local Cotswold factors
Many older Cotswold houses have cast iron gutters and downpipes. Cast iron lasts a long time if it is painted. Rust often starts at joints and on the back face.
Some old stone slate roofs have no gutter at all. Cotswold District Council guidance explains that stone roofs were built to throw water clear of the wall. Do not add gutters without advice.
Many Cotswold houses stand near trees, so leaves block gutters each autumn. A clear in late autumn stops most overflow in winter.
Blocked or leaking gutters are a common cause of damp in old stone walls. Lime mortar and soft stone take up water, so a small leak can do a lot of harm over time.
Signs you need gutter or roofline work
You need work when water spills, drips or stains the wall. Cotswold District Council suggests a regular visual check.
- Water that overflows or drips from joints in heavy rain.
- Green stains or damp patches on the wall below.
- Plants growing in the gutter.
- Sagging gutters or loose brackets.
- Rotten or split fascias, soffits or bargeboards.
What to ask a roofer
Ask what material the roofer will use and why. Ask how they will match the old work.
- Can you repair the cast iron, or does it need replacement?
- Will you use cast iron, cast aluminium or uPVC?
- Will you check the downpipes and the drains at the foot?
- Is access and painting in the price?
- Will you check for nesting birds before you start?
The rules for gutters and rooflines
Like-for-like gutter and fascia repairs need no planning permission. A change of material on a listed building can need listed building consent.
In a conservation area, the council may expect traditional materials where people can see them. Ask your council before you change cast iron or timber to plastic.
Swifts, house martins and other birds nest under the eaves. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected. Plan roofline work outside the breeding season where you can.
Bats can also roost behind fascias and soffits. Bats and their roosts are protected by law.
Questions
How often should gutters be cleared?
At least once a year, usually after the leaves fall. Houses close to trees can need two clears a year.
Can cast iron gutters be repaired?
Often, yes. A roofer can re-seal joints, replace single lengths and paint them. Lengths that have rusted through need replacement.
Do I need consent to replace gutters?
Not for like-for-like work. On a listed building, a change of material can need consent. Ask your council if you are not sure.
Sources
- Cotswold District Council: Maintenance of traditional buildings
- Cotswold District Council: Cotswold Stone Slate Roofing, technical guidance (2000)
- Cotswold District Council: Listed buildings
- Cotswold District Council: Conservation area maps
- GOV.UK and Natural England: Wild birds, protection and licences
- GOV.UK and Natural England: Bats, protection and licences