Should I replace old sarking felt?

If your home has sarking felt in the roof, you might be wondering: should I replace old sarking felt? Find out in this quick read.

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If your home has sarking felt in the roof, you might be wondering: should I replace old sarking felt? The answer depends on the age and condition of the sarking felt.

When should I replace old sarking felt?

Sarking felt is an underlay that is installed beneath roof tiles to provide extra protection against windblown rain. It should be lapped into the gutter to allow any rainwater to drain away safely.

If the sarking felt is old, or poorly installed, it can sag. This can cause rainwater to collect and pull the edge of the felt away from the gutter.

The result is that rainwater then flows into the eaves of the building. This can then cause rot, decay, and damage to your property.

To avoid water damage, we would always recommend replacing old sarking felt if there are signs of sagging or other damage.

At the very least, you should ideally replace sarking felt every 25 years or so. This will ensure that your home benefits from the protection of the felt – instead of it causing issues.

How much does replacing sarking felt cost?

Here are some of the average costs for replacing sarking felt in the UK:

• Labour (1 week, 2 people) – £2,400

• Roofing felt/breather membrane – £345

• Scaffolding – £2,000

• Roof battens – £1,100

• Roof tiles – £6,210

• Ridge tiles – £590

• Lead flashing – £250

• Fixings – £20

Find out more about prices in our guide to the cost of replacing roof felt under tiles.

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