What roof and gutter work can be done from a ladder?
Short, small jobs on low roofs, where the ladder can stand on firm, level ground and be secured. That covers most gutter work on bungalows and two-storey houses, and the odd slipped tile at the eaves or on a low extension roof.
Work at height law expects ladders to be used only for short, low-risk tasks. So we keep to jobs that fit that, and we decide on the day whether access is safe before anyone climbs.
Bungalows, typical two-storey semis and low extensions are usually fine. A tall Victorian house, a steep drop at the back or soft ground under the ladder can change that, and we'll say so from your photos where we can.
- Gutter clearing
- Leaves, moss and silt removed by hand.
- Gutter repairs
- Leaking joints resealed, sagging brackets refixed.
- Downpipes
- Blockages cleared, loose or broken sections replaced.
- Slipped tiles
- One or two tiles refixed or replaced within ladder reach.
- Small fascia sections
- Low-level repairs only.
When do I need a roofer and scaffolding instead?
Whenever the job is bigger than a quick repair, or the roof can't be reached safely from a ladder. We don't do scaffolding work, and we'll tell you plainly when a job needs a roofer.
That isn't us turning work away for the sake of it. A proper roofer with scaffolding is the safe and sensible choice for these jobs, and a quick patch from a ladder would only hide the problem for a while.
- Re-roofing
- Or many slipped tiles, which can mean worn-out fixings.
- Chimneys
- Pointing, flashing and stack repairs.
- Ridge and valleys
- Rebedding ridges or relining valleys.
- Flat roofs
- Recovering or replacing the membrane.
- Three storeys and up
- Or anywhere a ladder can't stand safely.
- Full fascia and soffit runs
- Usually need scaffolding or a tower.
Why is my gutter overflowing?
Usually a blockage. Leaves, moss from the roof and silt build up, especially near trees, and water spills over the edge instead of reaching the downpipe. A blocked downpipe has the same effect. On leafy streets, such as those around Knighton and Stoneygate, gutters can fill up within a single autumn.
Other causes are a sagging section that has lost its fall towards the outlet, or joints whose seals have perished. Overflowing water runs down the wall, and over time this can lead to damp patches inside. If you've already got a damp patch, clearing the gutter is a good first step, and we can look at the inside in the same visit.
Some gutters only drip at a joint in heavy rain, which is hard to spot on a dry day. Standing outside during a downpour, or taking a short video, often shows exactly where the problem is.
How are gutter and roof repairs priced?
Every job gets one fixed price, agreed before work starts. Photos taken from the ground or an upstairs window are usually enough: please don't climb up to take them. Send them through the online form or on WhatsApp and we'll reply within 24 hours.
If we arrive and the access isn't safe, or the problem is bigger than the photos showed, Norman stops, shows you and explains the options. Anything extra is priced separately, and nothing is done without your approval.