Roofer in Podsmead, Gloucester
Roof repairs and replacements for Podsmead’s post-war houses and its aluminium prefab bungalows — from roofers who know the difference between them.
Podsmead’s roofs: an early post-war estate
Podsmead sits about three kilometres south of the city centre, with Robins Wood Hill in view to the east. The land came into the city in 1935, and the corporation began building here in 1946 — one of Gloucester’s first post-war estates. By 1963 it had 487 council homes, according to the Victoria County History.
What makes Podsmead unusual is that not every house here is brick and tile. The city council’s planning framework for the estate records Hawksley BL8 bungalows — aluminium-clad prefabricated homes — and proposes them for local listing. They were made just up the road: AW Hawksley’s factory at Brockworth turned out AIROH and BL8 aluminium bungalows between 1948 and 1950.
For a roofer, that means two very different jobs on one estate. The conventional houses have pitched tiled roofs, ridges and chimneys like any of their generation. The BL8s have lightweight steel roof sheeting on timber trussed rafters, which can corrode but is a different kind of repair entirely.
Common roofing work in Podsmead
Ridge and verge mortar
On tiled roofs of this age, ridge and verge mortar is usually the first thing to go. We re-bed and mechanically fix, or fit dry-fix systems.
Metal-sheet roofs on prefabs
Corroded or leaking sheeting, fixings and edge details on aluminium bungalows. We assess what can be treated, repaired or replaced, and tell you honestly.
Tile replacement
Cracked or slipped concrete tiles replaced to match, and fixings checked across the slope.
Flat roofs and porches
Garages, porches and rear additions re-covered in EPDM.
Gutters and downpipes
Clearing, re-aligning and replacing — the council’s framework notes surface-water risk on some roads here, so drainage is worth getting right.
Full re-roofs
When a tiled roof has reached the end of its life, a full re-roof with new membrane and battens.
Worth knowing if you live in Podsmead
Know what you have
If you are not sure whether your home is a prefab, tell us the street and what the walls are made of. We will know when we see it.
Do not let anyone tile over a metal roof
A heavy tiled covering on a structure designed for light sheeting is not a sensible “upgrade”. Get proper advice first.
Local listing is a consideration
The BL8 bungalows are proposed for local listing. That may affect what changes are appropriate — ask the council if you are planning major alterations.
Most of the estate is not in a flood zone
The council framework puts most of Podsmead in Flood Zone 1, with the Betjeman Close corner in Flood Zone 2. Surface water is the bigger day-to-day issue for gutters and drains.
Sources: Gloucester City Council, Podsmead framework; Prefab Museum, AW Hawksley at Brockworth; Victoria County History.
Roofer in Podsmead
Call 0800 494 7291 or send the form. Tell us your street and what kind of house it is, and we will arrange a free survey.