An old centre with rules of its own
Much of the centre falls within a heritage protection zone, which restricts façade colours, tile types and window frames. Working here means finding out what is and is not allowed before the first hammer blow.
Roofing in Loulé
In Loulé we work on both kinds of roof: barrel-tile roofs on the old buildings in the centre, with difficult access and narrow façade scaffolding, and waterproofed terraces on the more recent blocks, where the problem is usually in the drains and the details rather than the membrane.
We get there the same day · Free site visit and quote
Loulé, as seen by the people who work there
Loulé is our base. It is the town where our office is, where the equipment is kept, and where we know the streets well enough to know where a scaffolding van can park without getting in anybody's way.
The town grows between the old quarter at its centre and the newer housing on the edges, with the barrocal — the limestone hill country — rising to the north and the plain dropping away towards the coast. Two worlds sit side by side here: flats and houses from the eighties and nineties in the newer parts, and old buildings with thick walls, barrel tiles and worked parapets in the historic centre.
In Loulé we get everything: from the landlord who needs a flat repainted between tenants to the full refurbishment of a family home in the centre.
What we find in Loulé
Narrow streets with difficult access
No lorry fits down the streets of the centre and there is no room for a cherry picker. A lot of what we do there involves carrying material up by hand and putting up narrow façade scaffolding.
Rising damp in older houses
Stone masonry walls built without a damp-proof course draw moisture up from the ground. Painting over it without dealing with the source gives you blisters within months.
Roofing: what we do
- Moss and lichen removal — Low-pressure washing, which cleans without cracking tiles or forcing water underneath them, unlike a pressure washer.
- Replacing cracked tiles — Lifting the affected areas tile by tile and replacing with pieces compatible with the existing ones.
- Anti-fungal treatment — A biocide that holds the moss off for several years.
- Flashings, eaves and ridges — Redoing the ridge mortar and the junctions that are the most common source of leaks.
- Gutters and downpipes — Clearing, repair and replacement, including checking the fall.
- Terrace waterproofing — Bituminous membranes or liquid systems, with treatment of details and drains.
How the work goes
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1
Roof inspection
We go up and see the real condition: tiles, structure, junctions and gutters. We photograph everything to show you.
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2
Diagnosing the leak
Water gets in at one point and appears at another. Finding the source is half the job.
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3
Proposal by priority
We separate what is urgent from what can wait, so you can decide with the facts.
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4
Working safely
Scaffolding or a safety line as appropriate, and protection of what is below.
Work in and around this area
Frequently asked questions about roofing in Loulé
Do you actually work in Loulé, or do you travel in from elsewhere?
Loulé is our base — it is where our office and equipment are. We get there the same day and we know the town in detail.
What usually goes wrong with this kind of work in Loulé?
Much of the centre falls within a heritage protection zone, which restricts façade colours, tile types and window frames. Working here means finding out what is and is not allowed before the first hammer blow. It is the situation we come across most often in Loulé, and it is why we look at the job before quoting.
Do you build new roofs from scratch?
We do, including replacing the structure where the timber has gone. In those cases we say clearly when patching has stopped being worthwhile — patching a roof at the end of its life costs more over time.
Do you work safely at height?
Yes, with a safety line and proper equipment, or scaffolding where the job requires it. We do not improvise work at height, whatever the hurry.
How long does the anti-moss treatment last?
Several years, but it is not permanent and it depends a great deal on exposure. A roof in shade and surrounded by trees grows moss back considerably faster than one in full sun.
Roofing in Loulé
Tell us what you need and we will come and look. We get there the same day and the visit is free.