Chantry is one of Ipswich's largest post-war estates — a dense concentration of 1960s and 1970s concrete tile roofs that are now entering serious structural decline. Nail sickness, failed underfelt, and crumbling ridge mortar are endemic here. We are the roofing specialists for Chantry and the IP2 area.
Chantry was developed primarily in the 1960s and 1970s as one of Ipswich's largest planned residential estates. The housing stock is dominated by concrete interlocking tile semi-detacheds and terraces — properties now 50–60 years old that are showing the structural effects of that age on their roofing systems simultaneously.
The three issues that appear together on almost every Chantry survey we carry out are: nail corrosion (the original mild steel fixings have rusted through on a significant proportion of properties, leaving tiles held by mortar and gravity alone); ridge and hip mortar failure (the bedding compound from the original build has dried, cracked and washed out through decades of freeze-thaw cycling); and degraded bitumen underfelt (the secondary weatherproofing layer beneath the tiles has become brittle and no longer provides meaningful protection against wind-driven rain).
Nail sickness is not visible from the ground. A roof that looks structurally sound from the street can be significantly compromised. The first sign most Chantry homeowners get is multiple tiles moving or sliding off simultaneously in a single storm — because the failed nails mean the whole roof is operating as a single fragile system rather than individually fixed tiles. We carry out free surveys and will tell you honestly what your roof's nail condition is and what it means for your maintenance decisions.
For properties where nail sickness is confirmed across more than 30% of the roof area, a full re-roof is almost always the better investment over a 10-year horizon compared to repeated targeted repairs. For properties where it's localised, repair and re-nailing remains viable. We assess each property individually and never recommend re-roofing when repair is genuinely sufficient.
📍 Serving Chantry, Ipswich
📞 01473 807630
🕐 Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm · Sat: 8am–2pm
⚡ Emergency: 24/7
We cover Chantry and the surrounding Ipswich area. Not sure if we cover your location? Just call.
"Free survey confirmed nail sickness across the whole back slope. They explained it clearly, quoted honestly, and re-roofed the whole property in four days. Finally have a roof I don't worry about."
"Lost seven tiles in the January storm — nail sickness. Emergency call-out was with us by 8am, made safe, permanent repair completed two days later. Very professional."
"Ridge repoint and hip rebedding on our 1967 semi. They also treated the moss on the rear slope. Clean job, fair price. Would recommend to anyone on the estate."
Nail sickness is what happens when the original mild steel nails on 1960s–70s concrete tile roofs corrode through. The tiles are then held only by gravity and mortar. On Chantry estates built between 1960 and 1979, nail sickness is extremely common — we see it on the majority of properties we survey. A free survey will confirm your roof's condition.
Minor repairs — replacing slipped tiles, repointing ridge mortar — typically cost £150–£400. If nail sickness is widespread, a full re-roof survey will tell you whether targeted repair or full replacement is better value over a 10-year horizon. Free survey, no call-out fee.
On 1960s–70s Chantry properties where nail sickness is widespread and underfelt has degraded, a full re-roof is often better value than repeated repairs. We survey free and give you an honest recommendation — we never push re-roofing if repair is the right call.
Yes — all roads on the Chantry estate including Chantry Lane, Hadleigh Road, Sprites Lane and surrounding IP2 streets. We also cover Maidenhall, Whitehouse and the adjacent estates.
Same-day for Chantry — typically within 1–2 hours. We're based in Ipswich and carry the concrete tile profiles used across Chantry on our emergency vehicles. Call 01473 807630 any time.
Nail sickness on the 1960s–70s concrete interlocking tile roofs is by far the most common issue we see on Chantry. After that: ridge and hip mortar failure, blocked valleys from leaf fall off estate trees, and flat roof deterioration on rear extensions from the same era.
Yes — NFRC registered, fully insured with £5m public liability, and every job carries a 10-year written workmanship guarantee.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Local Ipswich roofers covering Chantry and Ipswich.
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