South Hams Roofing Services is your local, trusted roofing team in Devon with 25+ years of experience. Based in Totnes and covering the South Hams and beyond, we handle everything from flat roof repairs to heritage restorations. Our skilled roofers pride themselves on reliability and quality, especially on older or listed buildings. We offer free site visits and quotes across Devon. Some of our roofing services are covered below:
Fibreglass Roofing
GRP fibreglass is one of the most durable flat roofing systems available. A properly installed GRP roof can last 20–30 years or more, thanks to its seamless, composite construction. Fibreglass roofs are fully bonded and weatherproof, so water cannot penetrate. They are also light and can be fitted over many existing roofs to save cost. Our team custom-apply the GRP laminate, hardener and finish coat to create a smooth, tough waterproof layer. In short, GRP fibreglass gives you a long-lasting, low-maintenance roof.
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Advantages: Extremely long life (20–30+ years), fully seamless membrane, UV-stable and crack-resistant. It even costs less over a lifetime than alternative materials.
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Professional finish: Our installers use high-quality resins and glass fibre mats (450g or 600g grades) as needed. A final polymer coating protects against wear and fading.
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Overlay capability: We can often install GRP directly over an existing flat roof, cutting out waste and labour by avoiding a full tear-off.
Both fibreglass and EPDM systems offer excellent water resistance – one is not waterproof at the expense of the other. (Fibreglass is fully bonded and seamless, while EPDM rubber is highly durable and even resists algae growth.) Our experts will recommend the best solution for your budget and roof shape.
Roof Maintenance
Regular maintenance is the key to a healthy roof. Our preventive upkeep includes inspection, cleaning, and minor repairs to stop small issues from growing. Routine checks catch loose tiles, worn seals, or blocked gutters before they cause leaks and damage. Well-maintained roofs last far longer, saving you money in the long run.
We even use drone roof surveys for fast, safe inspections. By flying a DJI drone over your property, we can see every corner of your roof and generate a detailed report – all without the cost of scaffolding. This means accurate, in-depth inspections at a lower price. Just let us know if you’d like a drone assessment on your next check-up.
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What we do: Conduct thorough roof surveys (drones available), clear debris, reseal flashing, replace broken tiles or lead, and restore gutters.
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Why maintain: Regular cleaning and checks extend your roof’s life. They prevent leaks, mould, and structural rot, and help maintain energy efficiency by keeping insulation dry and intact.
Asbestos Removal
Safe asbestos removal is essential on older roofs. Many barns, garages, and outbuildings in Devon still have cement-asbestos roofing sheets. While asbestos cement was once common, it’s a Class A carcinogen and must be handled by professionals. Our team is fully trained and licensed in asbestos removal, ensuring your safety and compliance at every step.
Our asbestos service includes:
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A trained team in full PPE removing asbestos tiles or sheets under strict safety protocols.
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Containment measures: We seal off the work area with barriers and use sprayers to keep fibers wet, minimizing airborne dust.
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Safe disposal: All waste is carefully bagged and transported to licensed disposal sites. We provide the required waste certificates on completion.
Once the asbestos is removed, we’ll replace your roof with a modern, safe material (such as fibre-cement, slate, or GRP) that looks great and lasts longer. As our guide explains, we take care of everything from the initial survey through to building control approval. In short, we remove the hazard and leave you with a brand-new, worry-free roof.
Slates and Tiles
Devon homes often feature natural slate or clay tile roofs, cherished for their beauty and longevity. Our roofers install and repair all kinds of pitched roofs, using high-quality slate and traditional tiles suited to your property’s style. Natural slate in particular is extremely durable – properly installed, a slate roof can last 100–150 years, far beyond most materials. It is naturally water-resistant, fireproof, and blends with historic architecture.
Whether your roof needs new slates, replacing cracked tiles, or re-bedding ridge tiles, we handle it. We carefully match new slates or tiles to your existing roof, preserving character and value. Our craftsmen also ensure tight overlaps and secure fixings (copper or stainless nails) so that your roof stays leak-proof against Devon’s weather.
“When it comes to traditional slate roofing, there’s something special about its enduring beauty and longevity,” as one specialist puts it. We agree – and we have the skills to make your slate or tile roof both beautiful and weather-tight for generations.
Gutters and Gullys
Well-maintained gutters and gullys (drains) are vital for any roof. They channel rainwater safely away from your walls and foundations. If gutters clog with leaves or moss, water can overflow and cause damp patches inside – sometimes hidden until major damage occurs. We offer full gutter and gulley services: cleaning, unblocking, repairing or replacing damaged sections and downpipes.
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Prevent leaks and damp: Keeping gutters clear prevents overflow that leads to damp walls and ceilings.
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Longer lifespan: Routine gutter cleaning and minor repairs drastically extend the life of your guttering, saving you from expensive replacements later.
Our team will also check valley gullys (outlets) and blockages in your rainwater drains. Efficient drainage protects your home’s structure; as one Devon maintenance guide notes, properly functioning gutters “keep your home protected from the elements” and avoid costly damp issues. Trust us to sort your gutters and gullys so you can stay dry inside.
Lead Work
Lead is a traditional roofing material that’s often used for flashings, weatherings, and decorative details. It’s extremely durable (often lasting 50–100 years) and ideal for waterproof seals around chimneys, valleys, dormers and more. Our skilled leadworkers fabricate and fit custom lead flashings on site, soldering and bossing them to join roof materials seamlessly.
For example, we renew lead flashings around chimney stacks and re-bed ridge/bay windows in lead to prevent leaks. We can also install lead roll-edges, cheeks, and box gutters. As one industry expert notes, specialist leadwork is a rare skill – and it’s crucial for heritage roofs. Our team is trained in traditional leadwork techniques (“bossing and burning”), ensuring all joints and corners are fully sealed against rain. We also supply new lead to match original thickness and pattern, respecting the heritage of older properties.
Chimney Work
Chimneys often need attention: repointing mortar, re-flashing, and capping. We repair or rebuild chimney stacks, replace broken pots, and install high-quality mortar and lead collars (flaunching) at the base. Damaged chimney flashings are a common source of leaks; we re-mitre and seal all lead flashings to make them watertight. We can also fit chimney cowls or sparrow guards to stop rain or birds getting in. In short, we fully service your chimney to keep it standing strong and your loft dry.
Project Planning
Large roofing projects require careful planning. South Hams Roofing offers full project management. We start with a detailed survey and quote, then coordinate any scaffolding. For complicated works (e.g. extensions, loft conversions or multiple trades), we liaise with architects, builders and local building control so the job complies with regulations. In fact, we pride ourselves on being a “one stop shop” – taking care of everything from design and permits to permits and final inspection. Throughout, we keep you informed, giving you peace of mind that your project is handled efficiently from start to finish.
Rubber (EPDM Flat Roofing)
EPDM is a high-grade synthetic rubber used for flat roofs. It stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer and is prized for its excellent waterproofing. A single-ply EPDM membrane is rolled or bonded in place, creating a flexible, monolithic layer over the roof substrate. EPDM is quick to install and remains airtight year after year. According to roofing experts, it “demonstrates excellent waterproofing capabilities” and is widely used in UK flat roofs.
We install new EPDM roofs or overlay existing ones, using UV-resistant EPDM sheets and strong adhesives. Once cured, the membrane won’t crack, shrink or rot. (It also doesn’t support algae growth, helping with longevity.) EPDM can flex with temperature changes, making it ideal for long spans on commercial buildings. And it can be applied in wet or cold weather when other membranes can’t. Our team ensures the rubber sheet is fully sealed at edges and penetrations to give a fully watertight finish.
Heritage and Listed Buildings
Our heritage roofing expertise sets us apart. We have worked on many historic homes, listed buildings, churches and cottages across Devon. As one heritage roofer puts it, “there is no substitute for experience and knowledge of historic properties” when repairing old roofs. We respect this tradition – using matching materials (hand-split slate, clay tiles, traditional lead, etc.) and age-old techniques.
For example, when restoring a listed slate roof, we salvage any original slates we can and source the closest matches for replacements. We hand-cut slates and install them with the correct gauge and fixings to honour the building’s character. All new leadwork is fashioned to match traditional profiles. In this way, “replacement work preserves historical integrity” while meeting today’s standards. Our sensitive approach means your heritage roof will look right at home in its era – but perform like a modern roof.
If you own a period property, you’ll appreciate our care and attention to detail on these projects. We carry full insurance and work with conservation officers when needed, so you can trust us with even the most important heritage roofs.
