Plain-English explanations of the roofing terms Chichester homeowners come across — what they mean, and what they mean for your property. Questions? Call 01243 278085.
This glossary explains common roofing terms for Chichester homeowners in plain English, from nail sickness and lead flashing to GRP, EPDM and patination oil. Each entry covers what the term means and why it matters for your property. Call 01243 278085 for advice.
The corrosion of iron nails that fix roof tiles or slates, causing them to slip out of position. It is the most common reason for re-roofing on Chichester's Victorian terraces and post-war estates, typically occurring 80 to 120 years after the original fixing. The tiles themselves are usually still sound.
Strips of lead sheet that seal the junctions where a roof meets a chimney, wall or dormer. Lead flashings are the most common failure point on period Chichester properties, especially at chimney stacks. Correct installation uses individual soakers and stepped cover flashings, not a single-piece apron sealed with mastic.
The mortar filling the joints between bricks on a chimney stack or between ridge tiles. On Chichester's Victorian and Edwardian properties, lime mortar is the correct specification — modern Portland cement is too rigid and causes brick spalling and tile edge damage over 10 to 15 years.
A modern underlay laid beneath roof tiles that allows water vapour to escape while blocking rainwater from entering. It replaces traditional bitumen felt in re-roofing and significantly extends batten and rafter lifespan — particularly valuable in Chichester's damp coastal climate where trapped moisture accelerates timber decay.
Glass-reinforced plastic, a liquid-applied flat roofing system that cures to a seamless rigid surface with no joints to fail. GRP is a popular choice for Chichester extensions and garages, with a design life of 25 to 40 years — far longer than the 8 to 12 years typical of traditional felt.
A synthetic rubber single-ply membrane used for flat roofing, installed in large sheets that handle building movement without cracking. EPDM has excellent UV and ozone resistance with a design life of 30 to 50 years, making it well suited to larger and exposed flat roofs across the Chichester coastal area.
The removal and replacement of the mortar bedding that secures the ridge tiles along the apex of a roof. On Chichester's exposed and coastal properties, mechanical ridge clips are added as supplementary fixing because wind uplift can displace mortar-bedded ridge tiles even when the mortar appears sound.
A protective treatment applied to new lead to prevent the white oxidation staining that otherwise occurs. On Chichester's harbour-adjacent and coastal properties — Bosham, Emsworth, Selsey and the harbour villages — patination oil is applied as standard because salt aerosol accelerates lead oxidation significantly.
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