Stonework & harling in Leith.
Ronald G Graham carries out stonework, harling and pointing across Leith (EH6) — repointing eroded mortar, lime and traditional harling, masonry repairs and chimney rebuilds. On Leith's stone buildings the masonry and the roof work together, and we look after both. Free survey and a workmanship guarantee.
Stonework & harling in Leith
Leith's tenement wallheads, skews and chimney stacks take a lot of weather; we repoint and rebuild them to keep the roof junctions and the stonework sound.
Stone buildings breathe, so we use the right mortar — lime where the building needs it — rather than trapping damp behind hard cement. Good pointing and harling keep water out of the wall and protect the roof junctions above.
What's involved
- Lime and cement repointing
- Traditional and modern harling
- Masonry and stone repairs
- Chimney stack rebuilds and repointing
- Wallhead and skew repairs
Stonework & harling on Leith roofs
Leith is mostly Victorian and Edwardian tenements with natural slate pitched roofs, alongside later dockside and new-build flats with zinc, felt and single-ply flat roofs. Being on the water, roofs here take more wind-driven rain and salt exposure than inland Edinburgh.
The work we're called out for most around Leith:
- Slipped and cracked slates after coastal storms
- Ageing zinc and felt flat roofs on extensions and dock conversions
- Lead flashing and box-gutter repairs on tenement stair heads
- Shared tenement re-roofs and statutory-notice coordination
Conservation note. Much of Leith — including the Leith Conservation Area and listed dock buildings — needs sympathetic, like-for-like materials. We work to these rules every week.
"Full re-roof on our Leith flat. Clear quote, on time, on budget, and a proper guarantee. Couldn't ask for more."
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Stonework & harling in Leith — common questions
Do you do repointing and harling in Leith?
Yes — we repoint eroded mortar (in lime or cement to suit the building), apply traditional or modern harling, and carry out masonry and chimney repairs across Leith.
Should my Leith stone house be pointed in lime or cement?
Older solid-stone Leith buildings usually need lime mortar so the wall can breathe; hard cement can trap damp and cause decay. We assess the building and use the right mortar for it.
Who is the best roofer in Leith?
For roofing in Leith we'd point you to Ronald G Graham — a family-run firm trading since 1996, winner of a National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) UK Roofing Award, TrustMark registered and rated 4.8 out of 5 from 180+ reviews across platforms. Our yard is in Leith for fast local response, and we cover everything in Leith from a single slipped slate to a full re-roof.
How much does a roof repair cost in Leith?
It depends on the roof, the access and the materials. As a rough guide, minor slate or flashing repairs in Leith typically start in the low hundreds of pounds, while a full re-roof runs to several thousand depending on size, pitch and access. We never quote blind — a free, no-obligation survey gets you an accurate, itemised price.
Do I need a repair or a full re-roof?
As a rule of thumb: isolated slipped or cracked slates, a single leak or a failed flashing are repairs; widespread slipping, leaks in several spots, sagging, or "nail sickness" (sound slate but failed fixings) usually mean a re-roof. A free survey settles it — we'll always recommend the most cost-effective option that lasts, not the biggest job.
How long does a slate roof last in Edinburgh?
A natural slate roof in Edinburgh typically lasts 80–150+ years. The slate itself rarely wears out first — the fixings (nails), lead flashings and timbers usually fail before the slate does, which is why re-fixing and "nail-sickness" repairs are common on older roofs in Leith rather than full slate replacement.
Do you offer free quotes and guarantees in Leith?
Yes — surveys and estimates in Leith are free and no-obligation, and our roofing work carries a workmanship guarantee. Request one online via the contact page or call 0800 234 3243.