Megan's Home Haven

Roof maintenance is not as daunting as it may seem. You can carry out an annual roof inspection yourself simply by examining your roof from ground level. Use binoculars to get a closer view. Look for damaged roof tiles or slates. Check the chimney. Can you spot any damage to the brickwork or flaunching (the mortar that holds the chimney pots in place)? What about the guttering – is it sagging or leaking? Are the downpipes securely fixed?

Roof Repairs Manchester / Roofers Birmingham / Roofer Nottingham

If you spot a problem with your roof, have it checked and repaired immediately. Don’t wait until it turns into a major job. Familiarise yourself with various types of roof repairs and roofing terminology before getting two or three written quotes from roofing companies. That way, you’ll have a better understanding of the work that needs to be done.

Roofer in Birmingham / Manchester Roofers

Cracked slates or broken roof tiles should be replaced quickly, as the water that leaks through can cause substantial damage to both your roof and home. The broken tile or slate must be taken out carefully to avoid damaging the surrounding roof tiles. The new tile or slate has to be placed under the bottom edge of the tile above and is usually secured with a clip made of lead sheet.

Chimney problems can be dangerous if not tackled efficiently. If a chimney stack is leaning too much, especially if there is a crack visible, the chimney would need to be removed. Damaged brickwork on the chimney stack may need re-pointing using a compatible mortar. Flaunching can be weakened by weathering, causing the chimney pots to be loose. Damaged flaunching needs to be replaced with new flaunching and the chimney pots re-bedded securely. Unused flues should be blocked off to keep rain out but maintain sufficient ventilation.

Overflowing gutters may be caused by a blockage in either the gutter or the downpipe. Gutter leaf guards help to prevent blockages. If you spot staining along the underside of the guttering, this could indicate a leak. Pouring water directly into the gutter will confirm this. If you find a leak, the gutter length or seal may need to be replaced. If your gutter or downpipe is not held securely, the screws and brackets need replacing. You may want to replace the whole guttering system to save money on further repairs.  A good roofing company can assess your needs and suggest a suitable replacement guttering system.

Fascias and soffits attach the guttering to the roof and so need to be checked at the same time. Defects in wooden fascias and soffits, such as cracks and holes, can be cleaned and appropriate wood filler applied.  Wooden fascias and soffits that have rotted need to be replaced with new preservative treated wood or with PVCu products, which require low maintenance.

Lastly, make sure that your roofing company is a member of a reputable trade association such as the Confederation of Roofing Contractors. That way, you can rest assured that any roof repairs done will be of the highest quality.

Post a comment

Name: (required)

Email Address: (will not be published) (required)

URL:

Comments: