Stonework & harling in Portobello.
Ronald G Graham carries out stonework, harling and pointing across Portobello (EH15) — repointing eroded mortar, lime and traditional harling, masonry repairs and chimney rebuilds. On Portobello's stone buildings the masonry and the roof work together, and we look after both. Free survey and a workmanship guarantee.
Stonework & harling in Portobello
Salt and wind erode mortar faster on the Portobello coast, so repointing and harling here protect the wall and the roof details above from driven rain.
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 Portobello roofs
Portobello blends Victorian and Edwardian seafront terraces with bungalows and a lot of single-storey rear extensions. You'll find slate pitched roofs alongside felt, EPDM and GRP flat roofs — all of it exposed to coastal wind and salt that accelerate wear.
The work we're called out for most around Portobello:
- Storm and wind-driven-rain damage on the seafront
- Flat roof renewal (EPDM, GRP, felt) on extensions
- Slate repairs and re-roofs on Victorian terraces
- Gutter, flashing and roofline renewal
Curious about your Portobello roof? See it from above — free.
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- AI read — likely material, age & condition
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Stonework & harling in Portobello — common questions
Do you do repointing and harling in Portobello?
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 Portobello.
Should my Portobello stone house be pointed in lime or cement?
Older solid-stone Portobello 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 Portobello?
For roofing in Portobello 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 Portobello from a single slipped slate to a full re-roof.
How much does a roof repair cost in Portobello?
It depends on the roof, the access and the materials. As a rough guide, minor slate or flashing repairs in Portobello 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 Portobello rather than full slate replacement.
Do you offer free quotes and guarantees in Portobello?
Yes — surveys and estimates in Portobello 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.