This full roof replacement in Ballincollig, Cork involved stripping a badly deteriorated and leaking roof back to the rafters before rebuilding the roofing system with new breathable membrane and pressure-treated battens. The existing roof tiles were cleaned and prepared for re-laying, allowing serviceable tiles to be retained as part of the new roof build-up.
THE PROJECT
The existing roof on this Ballincollig property had deteriorated significantly and was allowing substantial water ingress into the property. The condition shown in the project photographs made it clear that the work needed to go beyond an isolated leak repair.
Safeguard Roofing & Building stripped the roof back to the rafters so the ageing roofing layers could be removed and the roof rebuilt properly. New breathable membrane and new pressure-treated battens were then installed before the existing roof tiles were cleaned, prepared and re-laid.
This approach renewed the underlying roofing system while allowing suitable existing tiles to be retained rather than automatically replacing the complete visible roof covering.
EXISTING ROOF CONDITION
Not every leaking roof needs to be completely replaced. Where a defect is confined to one area and the surrounding roofing system remains sound, a targeted roof repair in Cork can often be the appropriate solution.
This project was different. Once the condition of the existing roof was considered, the scope involved stripping the roof back to the rafters and renewing the layers beneath the tiles rather than repeatedly addressing individual leak points.
Removing the existing roof covering also provided access to the roof beneath, allowing the new membrane and battens to be installed as part of a complete renewed roofing system.
On this Ballincollig project, the underlying roofing system required complete renewal, but the existing tiles were suitable to be cleaned and prepared for re-laying. The scope of a replacement should be based on the condition of each part of the roof rather than replacing serviceable materials unnecessarily.
NEW ROOF BUILD-UP
After the roof was stripped back, Safeguard installed a new breathable roofing membrane across the prepared roof structure.
The membrane forms an important protective layer beneath the tiled roof covering. Although it is hidden once the project is complete, it forms part of the roof build-up beneath the battens and tiles above.
Renewing this layer was particularly important on a project where the previous roofing system had deteriorated to the extent visible in the before photographs.
New pressure-treated battens were installed over the breathable membrane to provide the fixing structure for the tiled roof covering.
The photograph below captures this stage of the work particularly well, with a Safeguard team member installing the new battens over the newly fitted membrane.
Safeguard carries out complete new roof installations throughout Cork, with the specification determined by the existing roof condition and the work required at the individual property.
REUSING THE ROOF TILES
Although the underlying roof needed to be completely renewed, the existing roof tiles did not simply need to be discarded.
The tiles were cleaned and prepared for re-laying onto the new roofing system. This allowed the property to retain its existing tiled finish while benefiting from new breathable membrane and pressure-treated battens underneath.
The image below shows the cleaned tiles stacked across the newly battened roof ready for installation.
THE NEW ROOF
With the new membrane and battens installed, the cleaned roof tiles could be re-laid across the renewed roofing system.
The final project photograph shows the roof approaching completion, with the tiled covering reinstated and a roof vent visible within the newly completed surface. A member of the Safeguard team can also be seen carrying out the final stages of the roofing work.
The deteriorated and leaking roof was stripped back to the rafters and rebuilt with new breathable membrane and pressure-treated battens before the cleaned existing tiles were re-laid. The result is a renewed roofing system beneath the familiar tiled finish of the Ballincollig property.
Potentially, yes. A roof covering and the roofing system beneath it do not necessarily deteriorate at exactly the same rate.
Where existing tiles remain suitable for reuse, they may be removed during the strip-out, cleaned and reinstated after the underlying roofing work has been completed. Whether this is appropriate depends on the condition of the individual tiles and the specification of the replacement roof.
This Ballincollig project is a good example: the roof required a substantial replacement because of the condition underneath, while the existing tiles could still form part of the completed roof.
The rafters form part of the supporting roof structure. Stripping back to this level involves removing the roof covering and the relevant roofing layers above so the new system can be built back up from the structure.
On this project, that allowed Safeguard to replace the deteriorated existing roof build-up with new breathable membrane and new pressure-treated battens before reinstating the tiles.
It also provides much greater access to the roof than would be possible during a small localised repair, which is important where deterioration affects a substantial area.
The cost of replacing a roof depends on the roof size and design, materials, access, existing condition and the extent of the work required beneath the visible covering.
For homeowners researching a similar project, Safeguard’s roof replacement cost guide for Cork provides typical pricing ranges for terraced, semi-detached, detached and bungalow properties.
An exact quotation still requires the individual roof to be assessed, particularly where the condition beneath the existing tiles is not fully visible before stripping begins.
Safeguard Roofing & Building carries out roof replacements, new roof installations and pitched roof repairs in Ballincollig and throughout Cork City and County.
Whether an existing roof requires a targeted repair or a more substantial replacement depends on its actual condition. Safeguard can inspect the property, establish the appropriate scope of work and provide a free quotation.
You can view all areas Safeguard covers across Cork or learn more about our slate and tile roofing services.
If your existing roof is leaking or showing widespread deterioration, contact Safeguard Roofing & Building for an assessment and free, no-obligation quotation based on the work your property actually requires.
“Anthony and the lads did a wonderful job. They were courteous, respectful and got the work done fast.”