A failing roof does not just risk leaks, it quietly drains heat and, left too long, damages the structure underneath. Reroofing ends leaks and draughts for good, and it opens a rare opportunity: while the roof is off, it is the perfect, efficient moment to add grant-supported roof and attic insulation. Here is how to tell if you need it, what it involves, and how it pays back.
Signs your roof needs replacing
A few isolated issues mean a repair. But when several of these show up together, a reroof is usually the smarter, cheaper long-term call:
- Recurring leaks or water stains on ceilings and in the attic.
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates or tiles, especially after storms.
- A sagging or uneven roofline when you look along it from the ground.
- Daylight visible in the attic through the roof boards.
- Heavy moss and vegetation holding damp against the covering.
- Crumbling mortar at the ridge, hips and verges.
- Failing felt or underlay: the layer under the slates that actually keeps water out.
What reroofing actually involves
A proper reroof is more than new slates. It is a full renewal of the system that keeps your home dry and warm:
- Strip the old covering and inspect the timbers.
- Repair or replace any rotten battens, rafters or boarding found.
- Lay a new breathable underlay and battens.
- Fit the new slates or tiles, ridge, hips and flashing at chimneys and valleys.
- Ensure proper ventilation so the roof space stays dry.
- Add or upgrade roof and attic insulation while access is open.
The insulation opportunity you shouldn’t miss
Around a quarter of a home’s heat escapes through the roof, and more through a failing one. A reroof is the single best moment to fix that: the roof is already open, so upgrading the insulation is efficient and cost-effective. The reroofing itself isn’t SEAI-grant-supported, but the attic and roof insulation is, and it lifts your BER at the same time.
Reroof or repair?
| RepairOne-off, sound roof | ReroofEnd-of-life covering | |
|---|---|---|
| Best when | A single, localised problem | Leaks keep returning; covering worn out |
| Cost now | Lower | Higher, but one-and-done |
| Lifespan added | A few years | Decades |
| Insulation chance | No | Yes, while the roof is open |
| Peace of mind | Temporary | Long-term |
What drives the cost
Every roof is different, so the price depends on:
- Size and pitch of the roof, and access for scaffolding.
- Covering chosen: natural slate, fibre-cement slate or tile.
- Structural or timber repairs found once it is stripped.
- Insulation added at the same time (grant-supported).
- Details like chimneys, valleys and rooflights that need flashing and care.
The only way to a real number is a survey and a fixed quote, which we provide free.
How the job works
The bottom line
If your roof is leaking, worn out or losing heat, reroofing ends the problem for decades, and it is the ideal, efficient moment to add grant-supported attic and roof insulation and lift your BER. Repair a sound roof; reroof one at the end of its life.
If you are in Cork or across Munster, book a free assessment and read our attic insulation grant guide to see what the insulation side is worth.
