Stonework & harling in Colinton.
Ronald G Graham carries out stonework, harling and pointing across Colinton (EH13) — repointing eroded mortar, lime and traditional harling, masonry repairs and chimney rebuilds. On Colinton's stone buildings the masonry and the roof work together, and we look after both. Free survey and a workmanship guarantee.
Stonework & harling in Colinton
Colinton's substantial stone villas often need repointing and chimney work as the original mortar erodes; we match the stone and mortar and rebuild stacks where needed.
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 Colinton roofs
Colinton is a leafy former village in the Pentland foothills, with Victorian and Edwardian villas, distinctive Arts-and-Crafts houses and interwar bungalows along the Water of Leith. Roofs are mostly natural slate and tile, often on mature, tree-shaded plots where moss and debris build up.
The work we're called out for most around Colinton:
- Slate repairs and re-fixing on villa roofs
- Moss removal and gutter clearing on tree-shaded roofs
- Lead valley, flashing and chimney renewal
- Full re-slates and tile re-roofs
Conservation note. Colinton village sits within a conservation area with listed buildings, so we use matched natural slate and sympathetic detailing, and advise on any consent required.
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Stonework & harling in Colinton — common questions
Do you do repointing and harling in Colinton?
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 Colinton.
Should my Colinton stone house be pointed in lime or cement?
Older solid-stone Colinton 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 Colinton?
For roofing in Colinton 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 Colinton from a single slipped slate to a full re-roof.
How much does a roof repair cost in Colinton?
It depends on the roof, the access and the materials. As a rough guide, minor slate or flashing repairs in Colinton 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 Colinton rather than full slate replacement.
Do you offer free quotes and guarantees in Colinton?
Yes — surveys and estimates in Colinton 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.