Serving Washington, Tyne and Wear
High and Dry Roofing & Home Improvements are based in nearby Sunderland and regularly carry out roofing and home improvement work across Washington and its surrounding villages. Our close proximity means fast response times and the same trusted, local service our Sunderland customers have relied on for over 15 years.
Fast Response
Being based in Sunderland — just minutes from Washington — means we can respond quickly to emergency repairs and schedule survey visits at short notice. We won't keep you waiting.
15+ Years Experience
With over 15 years of roofing and home improvement work across Tyne and Wear, we have the local knowledge and proven skills to handle any job, large or small, to the highest standard.
100% Positive Reviews
Every job we complete — whether in Washington, Sunderland or beyond — receives the same quality of workmanship and care. Our 100% positive review record reflects the pride we take in every project.
Fully Insured
All our work is carried out by fully insured, experienced tradespeople. We work safely, cleanly and efficiently — and we always tidy up after ourselves when the job is done.
Why Washington Roofs Are Failing Together
Washington is unusual, and it changes what we find on the roofs here. Most towns grew gradually, so their housing ages gradually. Washington didn't. It was designated a New Town in 1964 and the bulk of its housing went up across the late 1960s and 1970s — built fast, built to a consistent specification, and roofed almost universally in concrete interlocking tiles.
Concrete interlocking tiles have a working life of roughly 40 to 60 years. Washington's are now sitting squarely at the end of that. The practical consequence is that whole streets come due at the same time, which is why you'll see three or four re-roofs on one estate in a single year. If your neighbours are having work done, it's not coincidence.
What ageing concrete tiles look like
They don't crack dramatically — they go porous. The hard surface layer wears off, the tile starts absorbing water rather than shedding it, and it becomes heavier and more brittle. From the ground the giveaways are a rough, pitted texture where the tiles used to be smooth, colour that's faded patchily, and heavy moss growth holding moisture against the surface. What usually fails first, though, isn't the tile at all — it's the bitumen underlay beneath, which becomes brittle and tears at the eaves.
Flat roof sections everywhere
New town design used flat roofs liberally — garages, porches, dormers, and link sections between properties. A large share of Washington homes have at least some flat roof area, and those coverings are the same age as everything else. If yours is original felt it's decades past its design life. We'd normally recommend EPDM rubber as the replacement: seamless, flexible in cold weather, and typically 30 to 50 years.
The older cores
Not all of Washington is new town. Washington Village, Harraton, Fatfield and Usworth existed long before 1964, and the older properties in them are a different proposition — traditional construction, often slate rather than concrete tile, with the nail sickness and ridge mortar problems that come with age rather than the porosity problems of the estates. Around Washington Old Hall in particular, some properties have restrictions on what covering can be used, and we'll flag that before quoting.
Newer estates
Development since the Nissan plant opened in 1986 added a lot of newer housing. Those roofs are generally still well within their life, and when we're called to them it's usually a specific fault — storm-lifted tiles, a failed flashing, or blocked guttering — rather than age. We'll tell you plainly if a repair is all you need.
Areas of Washington We Cover
We carry out roofing and home improvement work throughout Washington and its surrounding villages, including:
Washington has a wide mix of housing stock — from post-war estates and 1970s new-town builds to older terraces and detached properties. Many roofs in the area are now reaching the age where repair or replacement is needed, and our team are familiar with the most common tile types and roof constructions found across Washington's villages and districts.
Washington Roofing FAQs
Do you cover all of Washington?
Yes — we cover Washington in its entirety, including all districts and surrounding villages. Being based in Sunderland, which borders Washington, means we can reach any part of the area quickly.
How quickly can you respond to roofing work in Washington?
For emergency repairs such as storm damage or a sudden leak, we aim to get to you as quickly as possible. For non-urgent work, we'll arrange a convenient time to carry out a survey and provide your free quote.
Do you provide written quotes?
Yes. All our quotes are provided in writing so you know exactly what work will be carried out and at what cost — no hidden charges or unexpected extras.
Why do so many Washington roofs need work at the same time?
Because much of Washington was built at once. The town was designated a New Town in 1964 and the bulk of its housing went up through the late 1960s and 1970s, almost all of it roofed in concrete interlocking tiles. Those tiles have a working life of roughly 40 to 60 years, which means a very large part of Washington's housing stock has reached the end of it within the same decade. Whole streets come due together.
Do you carry out emergency roof repairs in Washington?
Yes. For an active leak, storm damage or slipped tiles, call 07379 697002. Washington borders Sunderland where we're based, so it's one of the quickest areas for us to reach. We'll make the roof watertight first and arrange the permanent repair afterwards rather than leaving you waiting for a full quote.
Do you do flat roofing in Washington?
Yes, and there's a lot of it here. New town era design used flat roofs widely on garages, porches, dormers and link sections, so a large number of Washington homes have at least some flat roof area. We fit EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and torch-on felt, and we'd usually recommend EPDM for a garage or extension roof.
Are you insured to work in Washington?
Absolutely. We hold full public liability insurance and all work across Washington and the wider Tyne and Wear area is fully covered. We're happy to provide confirmation of cover on request.
Services We Offer in Washington
We provide the full range of roofing and home improvement services across Washington, Tyne and Wear.