Nail sickness is the corrosion of the nails that hold roof tiles to the battens. On Nottingham's 1960s-70s concrete tile estates — Clifton, Bilborough, Bestwood, Bulwell Hall, Rise...
Nail sickness is the corrosion of the nails that hold roof tiles to the battens. On Nottingham's 1960s-70s concrete tile estates — Clifton, Bilborough, Bestwood, Bulwell Hall, Rise Park, Killisick in Arnold — the original galvanised iron nails have been exposed to 50-60 years of freeze-thaw cycling. The galvanised coating wears through, the iron corrodes, and the nails lose their grip. Tiles begin to slip, rattle in the wind, and eventually fall. The roof becomes unsafe.
From ground level: tiles that look uneven or stepped rather than flat in their courses. Tiles that have slipped down exposing the felt underneath. Tiles found on the ground after windy nights. From the loft: daylight visible between tiles and battens. Nails that crumble when touched. Rust staining on the battens around the nail holes. If you see any of these on a Nottingham property built in the 1960s-70s, get a professional inspection — nail sickness does not improve and the roof is on borrowed time.
The concrete tile estates in Nottingham were built in a concentrated period between 1955 and 1975. The tiles used galvanised iron nails that were standard at the time but have a finite lifespan in the East Midlands frost cycle. Properties on the Arnold ridge and Bestwood Park are worst affected because the elevated, exposed position accelerates the freeze-thaw cycling that corrodes the nails. South-facing slopes fare slightly better because they dry faster after rain.
If nail sickness affects less than 20 percent of the roof area, section re-battening and re-tiling can work. If it affects more than 30 percent — which is typical on Nottingham estates because all the nails are the same age — full strip and re-roof is the only viable option. The cost difference between fixing 40 percent of a roof and replacing the whole thing is marginal, and a partial fix leaves you with corroding nails on the remaining 60 percent that will fail within 5-10 years.
A full re-roof on a 3-bed Nottingham estate semi with nail sickness costs £4,500-£8,000. This includes scaffold, full strip, new breathable membrane, new treated battens, new concrete interlocking tiles, new ridge tiles in flexible adhesive, and disposal of all old materials. Stainless steel nails are used throughout — they will not corrode in any conditions and will outlast the tiles by decades.
Modern concrete interlocking tiles are lighter, more precisely made, and more weather-resistant than the 1960s originals. We specify tiles that match the existing roof pitch and aesthetic while meeting current performance standards. For properties where the original profile is important for streetscape consistency, we source profiles that closely replicate the original appearance. The tile manufacturer warranty adds 20-30 years of cover on top of our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
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Call 0115 670 1242 for a free quote on any roofing work in Nottingham and surrounding areas.
Yes. Nottingham city plus a 15-mile radius including all surrounding towns and villages.
Yes. NFRC registered, £5m public liability, 10-year guarantee on all work.
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Since 2005 — over 20 years across every housing type in the area.
Absolutely. Call 0115 670 1242 and reference this guide. Free advice, no obligation.
Yes. From £150/year including inspection, minor repairs, gutter clearance and written report.
Yes. Updated regularly based on current costs, regulations and our ongoing experience across Nottingham.
Yes. Every inspection produces a detailed written report with photographs, suitable for insurance claims and property transactions.
10-year written workmanship guarantee on all work. Materials carry separate manufacturer warranties.
We answer the phone personally. Tell us what you have noticed and we give you an honest assessment. If it needs a site visit, we arrange one within 48 hours. The survey is free and thorough. You receive a written quote with clear pricing, material specifications and a realistic timeline. No pressure, no charge for the survey. Call 0115 670 1242 to get started.
Every job comes with a written 10-year workmanship guarantee. We carry £5 million public liability insurance and are NFRC registered. Materials carry separate manufacturer warranties. If any issue arises within the guarantee period, we return and fix it at no charge.
No more than 20 percent deposit. Balance on completion. We accept bank transfer, cheque and card. For projects over £5,000, staged payments tied to milestones. After completion, we do a final walkthrough, photograph the finished work, and issue your guarantee documentation. Call 0115 670 1242 for any questions during the guarantee period.
The difference between work that lasts 5 years and work that lasts 25 comes down to specification. Stainless steel fixings where iron would corrode. Code 5 lead where code 3 would fatigue. Flexible adhesive where cement mortar would crack. Breathable membrane where felt would trap condensation. These choices add marginally to cost but dramatically extend the interval between repairs.
Annual maintenance from £150/year covers a full inspection, minor repairs, gutter clearance and a written report. Maintenance customers get priority scheduling, priority emergency response, and 10 percent off all additional work. An annual check catches £200 problems before they become £2,000 emergencies. Call 0115 670 1242 to set up your maintenance programme.
Nottingham has one of the most diverse housing stocks of any English city. Victorian slate terraces in Sherwood sit streets away from 1920s Crane prefab houses in Wollaton. Post-war Wimpey no-fines estates in Clifton use completely different construction to the 1960s concrete tile estates in Arnold. Georgian cottages in Ruddington need handmade clay tiles that cost three times as much as the machine-made equivalents used on modern estates. A roofer who does not know this housing stock will misdiagnose, misspecify and underperform on every job.
We have worked on every type of Nottingham housing since 2005. We know the materials, the failure patterns, the planning restrictions and the supplier networks for every era of construction across the city and surrounding towns. This knowledge means faster diagnosis, correct specification first time, and work that lasts because it was designed for local conditions. Call 0115 670 1242 and talk to roofers who know Nottingham.
We offer a free initial roof assessment for homeowners across Nottingham and all surrounding towns. This is a genuine inspection by an experienced roofer who knows the local housing stock — not a sales pitch. We check tiles, flashings, valleys, ridge lines, chimneys, gutters, fascias, soffits and the roof space timbers. You receive honest findings and a written report. Many roofs we inspect need nothing at all and we are happy to tell you that. Where work is needed, you get a clear quote with no obligation. Call 0115 670 1242 to book your free health check.
This guide draws on hands-on experience from thousands of roofing jobs across every postcode in Nottingham since 2005. Victorian terraces, Crane houses, Wimpey no-fines estates, modern developments — we have worked on every type. The prices and specifications reflect what we actually charge and specify, not national averages. If anything raises a question about your own roof, call 0115 670 1242 for free, honest advice with no obligation.
Whether you need an emergency repair, a planned replacement, or just want to know the condition of your roof, the first step is a conversation. Call 0115 670 1242 and speak to a roofer who knows your area. We will listen to what you have noticed, give you honest advice over the phone, and arrange a free inspection if one is needed. There is no call centre, no sales team and no pressure. Just experienced local roofers who have been serving Nottingham and surrounding areas since 2005.
Every quote is free, written, and comes with no obligation. We explain the problem, the solution, the materials and the price in plain language before any work begins. Payment terms are fair — no more than 20 percent deposit, balance on completion and your satisfaction. All work is covered by our 10-year workmanship guarantee and £5 million public liability insurance. We are NFRC registered, fully qualified, and we stand behind every job we complete.
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