Roofers in Sunderland & Wearside

A coastal city at the mouth of the Wear

Onshore easterlies drive rain horizontally into east-facing elevations, salt speeds up corrosion of fixings and flashings, and wind uplift at the ridge and verge is a real design consideration. Near the coast we use stainless or non-ferrous fixings and clip verges mechanically. The Wear runs through an incised valley, so a sheltered low street and a higher, exposed site need separate assessments. Seafront work also needs weather windows, because lead cannot be dressed or membrane laid in a full onshore blow.

Terraces, Edwardian houses and post-war estates

Tight terraced rows in Millfield, Hendon and Southwick sit alongside substantial Edwardian property around Ashbrooke and Roker Park, then large post-war estates and newer development around Doxford. Census 2021 for the city shows 45.0% semi-detached and 29.1% terraced homes. Welsh slate is common on older housing, concrete tile on post-war estates, and the seafront has parapet gutters, bay roofs and flat-topped dormers that need lead and single ply. On a semi, check the junction with the neighbouring covering and any shared chimney before settling the scope; chimney removal is an option for stacks no longer used.

Houghton-le-Spring, Hetton-le-Hole and Washington

These towns sit within the Sunderland council area, inland of the coast, so exposure is more about wind on higher ground than salt. Former colliery housing and later estates mean a mix of slate terraces and concrete tile semis, where roof repointing of ridges and verges, garage roof replacement and roofline work are typical jobs. Repair or replacement depends on the covering, underlay and fixings found at survey, not on the age of the estate.

Yard outbuildings, gutters and roofline

Wearside has a lot of rear-yard outbuildings with felt roofs that get ignored until the contents get wet; felt roof repair covers the options. Gutters need checking alongside the roof so falls, joints and outlets carry water away from the wall, and fascias and soffits need sound backing and suitable ventilation; see the fascia and soffit replacement cost guide. Conservatory roofs need the supporting structure checked before a new covering is chosen.

Conservation areas and commercial sites

Ashbrooke, Bishopwearmouth and Sunniside are conservation areas, so visible changes may need a check with Sunderland City Council. Doxford International and the Nissan plant are major employment sites in the wider area; for commercial roofing, site permissions, deliveries and protection for people below are agreed before work starts. For urgent leaks, our emergency and urgent repairs page explains the make-safe sequence.

Towns covered

Sunderland, Roker, Seaburn, Fulwell, Hendon, Millfield, Southwick, Ashbrooke, Washington, Houghton-le-Spring, Hetton-le-Hole.

See all areas we cover.