Roofing & guttering
guide.
Why a roof leaks in heavy rain, what you can safely do about it, and what a roofer will do that a tube of sealant will not.
- A roof leaks at its joints: chimneys, valleys, ridges, flashings and flat-roof seams.
- Sealant is a short-term patch, not a repair.
- As a 2026 guide, a roof leak repair is €400–€2,500; a flat roof (EPDM or GRP) is €90–€140 per m².
- A leaking gutter can look like a roof leak and the other way round.
- A complete roof replacement carries the Lifetime Leak Guarantee.
Why does my roof leak in heavy rain?
Rain finds the weak points. On a pitched roof those are the places where one part meets another: round a chimney, in a valley, along the ridge and at a wall. On a flat roof they are the seams, the upstands and the outlets. Heavy, wind-driven rain, which Cork gets plenty of, pushes water sideways under slates and tiles that would shed ordinary rain. See Met Éireann for the weather warnings that matter.
Why is my roof leaking but no tiles are cracked?
Because the fault is often not in the tile. The felt underneath may have torn or perished, a flashing may have lifted, bedding mortar may have cracked or a gutter may be overflowing into the eaves. Water then runs along a timber and drips somewhere else. A survey from the attic and the slope finds it; guessing and patching rarely does.
What can I put on a roof to stop a leak?
Spray-on and brush-on sealants and tapes are sold as a quick fix. They can slow a drip for a while, but they do not mend a failed flashing, a worn felt or a split seam, and they can hide the real fault from the person who has to repair it later. Use one only as a temporary measure while you arrange a proper repair, and tell the roofer you used it. For a leak running now, a bucket, a tarpaulin fixed from a safe place and a phone call are the sensible steps. Never go onto a wet roof.
Roof and gutter work compared
Gutters carry the water that the roof sheds. A blocked outlet, a sagging run or a leaking joint sends water down the wall or into the eaves and can look like a roof leak. Our gutter and downpipe repairs are part of our roof work, and a full new gutter, fascia and soffit system is quoted as part of a larger roof job.
How much does a roofer cost in Ireland?
The figures below are our guide prices for 2026, for work in Cork city. They are not a quote.
| Service | Indicative price (2026) | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Roof Leak Repairs | €400–€2,500 | Same day–3 days |
| Chimney Repairs | €800–€3,500 | 1–3 days |
| Valley Reconstruction | €1,200–€4,500 | 2–4 days |
| Emergency Storm Repair | €1,500–€8,000+ | 1–5 days |
| Flat Roof (EPDM / GRP) | €90–€140 per m² | 2–5 days |
| Concrete Tile Roof | €8,000–€18,000 | 4–10 days |
| Complete Slate Roof | €12,000–€28,000+ | 5–14 days |
These are guide figures for 2026, not a quote. The size and pitch of the roof, what it is covered in, how easily we can get to it and the state of the timber underneath all change the final figure, so we fix your price in writing after a free survey. VAT is added at 13.5% on residential work.
Which roof is the cheapest to put on?
Concrete tile is the lowest-cost full re-roof, at the guide price above, and a flat roof is priced by area. Cheapest to lay is not always cheapest to own: a roof that has to be redone in twenty years costs more than one that lasts forty. A survey that looks at the pitch, the exposure and the budget tells you which suits your house. See roof replacement and roof installation.
Winter leaks
To stop a roof leaking in winter, find the fault before the weather turns. Clear leaves and moss from valleys and gutters, check the attic for damp after a storm and have loose tiles and flashings fixed early. roof maintenance visits in spring and autumn are designed for exactly this.
What we guarantee
Installation work carries a written 10-year workmanship guarantee, handed over before we start. A complete roof replacement also carries the Lifetime Leak Guarantee. Repairs and part-roof jobs stay on the written workmanship cover, and you are told in writing which one applies before you agree to anything. Our own crews do the work and nothing is subcontracted without you being told. You can read what past customers wrote on the home page.
Questions, answered.
How much does a roofer cost in Ireland?
As a 2026 guide for Cork city: leak repairs €400–€2,500, chimney repairs €800–€3,500, valley reconstruction €1,200–€4,500, a concrete tile roof €8,000–€18,000 and a complete slate roof €12,000–€28,000+.
Can I use a roof sealant?
As a short-term patch while you arrange a repair, yes. It is not a lasting repair and it can hide the real fault.
How do I repair a hole in a shed roof?
A small hole can be covered temporarily with a patch of matching material, fixed and sealed at the edges. A large hole or a rotten deck means the covering should be replaced. We can advise on a survey.
How do I repair a corrugated roof?
Corrugated sheets can be repaired by replacing a damaged sheet or sealing a small hole, but old sheets are brittle. Ask for advice before walking on one.
What is the cheapest roof design?
A simple pitched roof with few valleys, hips and joins is the cheapest to build and the least likely to leak.
Why does my roof leak in heavy rain?
At its joints, flashings, valleys and ridges, or where the felt has perished. Wind-driven rain finds those first.
What can I put on my roof to stop a leak?
Nothing that replaces a proper repair. A temporary patch or tarpaulin can bridge the gap until a roofer comes.
Why is my roof leaking but there are no cracked tiles?
The fault may be in the felt, a flashing, the bedding mortar or an overflowing gutter.
How do I stop my roof leaking in winter?
Find the fault early, keep valleys and gutters clear and fix loose tiles and flashings before the weather turns.
What is the most expensive part of a new roof?
Usually the labour and the access, followed by the covering. Lead and complicated shapes add cost.
How long does sealant last?
It depends on the product, the surface and the weather, and it is best treated as temporary.
Is the survey free?
A survey for a repair or replacement quote is free.
Get your roof
looked at.
Write a line or two about the roof and where it is. After a free survey you get a plain written price. Rather talk it through? Ring: