Saving up for a new roof is hard work, which is why we try to make the process as easy on your wallet and time-consuming! All of our roofs are fitted with 20 year written guarantees so you can rest assured that no matter what happens at any point in time, it will be covered by us.
Public liability insurance protects both yourself and others around you through £5 million pounds worth of protection from accidents occurring while working on site - whether they're yours or someone else's fault!
No matter how big or small you think your roof repair is, the last thing that any homeowner wants to deal with during a storm is water leaking into their home. That's why it's important for homeowners in need of help and assistance with their roofs to speak to one of our qualified professionals today who can guarantee quality workmanship from start-to-finish including an initial site visit where we'll assess all potential problems and make sure they're taken care of before bad weather arrives.
Roofing repairs to damaged tiles, torn membranes, loose mortar, leadwork and parapet divider walls
Standard benefits:
- Keep your roof in good shape.
- Prevent costly repairs and replacements.
Emotional benefits:
- Peace of mind knowing you're prepared for anything the weather throws at you.
It's a fact that we take our roofs for granted. They perform an essential task, and yet we don't really take much notice of them. Roof repair is the last thing on our minds most of the time.
Until something goes wrong, that is. Fallen tree branches and storm damage, broken tiles, blocked or broken gutters, damaged flashing around joints and chimneys - every roof is at the mercy of the weather. Constant changes in temperature cause roof materials to expand and contract, which warps them and wears them out.
Every roof, no matter what materials they are made of or how old they are, needs maintenance and repair at some point. A leaking roof can cause immense damage to the interior of the property. And it isn't just your plaster, wallpaper and paint that can be ruined. Long-term leaks that go undetected for months and years can cause dry rot and wet rot, penetrating damp, rising damp, and mould.
Sometimes the damage is so great that it can affect the structural integrity of the building. Roofs don't just provide shelter and protection from the elements, they form a vital part of the building envelope, adding support to the entire structure.
This is why roof repairs are so important.
If you suspect that you need maintenance or roof repair work for your property, then this quick guide will give you an idea of what's involved and what to expect from roofing repairs.
We'll begin with a few common problems, their causes and solutions, and explain some of the terms.
Lead is a versatile, waterproof material, often used to seal the joints between vertical walls and the roof, or around chimney stacks, dormer windows, and roof lights, etc. Lead flashing lasts for many years but can be dislodged or warped over time. Sometimes lead work just needs simple repair work, perhaps being put back in place. However, it may need replacing if it has become degraded or corroded.
Roof repair work includes your guttering. These are essential in directing rainwater away from the building and safely into the drains or water butts for recycling. Your gutters take a battering from the weather, with hundreds of gallons of rainwater pouring into them each year. The fittings can become worn out, high winds and falling branches can cause damage, and joints can fail. These can be repaired, but sometimes it is wise to replace them completely.
There is a wide range of material to choose from, including uPVC, PVC, aluminium, zinc, copper, and steel. Each has its own benefits, though some will clearly be more expensive.
Traditional pitched roofs (a sloping roof) use tiles of one kind or another. Roof tiles can be made from natural slate, synthetic slate, clay (terracotta), concrete, and metal.
These often interlock to form a weatherproof barrier, but they can become damaged or may slip over time. Repairs might involve the replacement of a single tile, but if your tiles have reached the end of their life then it might make more sense to retile the entire roof.
Sometimes, roof repairs may involve replacing roof felt. This layer of felt provides a waterproof barrier beneath the tiles. However, older felt has a lifespan of around 30 years, after which it can start to disintegrate. If the tiles are sound, then it may be that the roofing felt will need to be replaced but the tiles can be reused.
In terms of roof repair costs, replacing a small patch will start at around £200, and replacing felt on the entire roof will be somewhere in the region of just under £5,000. It is important to remember that each job is different and that it is always best to contact us for a detailed and personalised quote that is specific to your needs.
The chimney isn't something we see on many modern properties. The majority of chimney stacks are well over a century old, especially in urban areas with a large concentration of Victorian homes. Many of these will have been neglected and fallen out of use.
Mortar can crumble, making the stack unstable. High winds can even bring a chimney down. Bricks sometimes need replacing as they deteriorate over time, allowing water to penetrate. When this freezes in winter it forces open cracks, destabilising the structure even further.
Wood-burning stoves have become popular recently, which means that people are using their chimneys again. It is essential that they are in a good state of repair and are properly maintained, not just the part that sticks up above the roof, but the entire structure, including the flue.
So, whether it's in use or not, the chimney needs to be repaired, or it may present a hazard. Falling chimney stacks can damage the entire roof structure, crash down into your home, or fall to the ground where they can cause major damage to property or injury to people.
Finally, as mentioned in the section about lead work, the joints between the roof tiles and the chimney must be kept watertight to stop water from leaking through into the roof cavity.
Roof repair includes work on the roofline, which is where the upper section of the external walls meet the lower edge of the roof. This is made up of several parts that are designed to look good, but which are also practical.
You will find the fascia board here, which is usually where the gutters are fixed. The fascia board runs the full length of the roofline and is usually attached to the roofing joists, providing extra support. These were traditionally made from wood, and many still are today, although uPVC and PVC alternatives are rapidly taking their place.
Timber tends to rot after a while, which can cause problems with guttering and allow moisture and condensation to build up in the eaves (the space directly behind the fascia at the angle where the roof meets the wall).
Attached horizontally to the bottom of the fascia board is the soffit, forming a contained space (the eaves) that needs ventilation. This allows air to flow through into the loft cavity and for moisture to evaporate. For this reason, soffits and/or fascias will have vents in. If these become blocked with debris, or the boards start to rot, then other problems may occur.
Birds, squirrels, mice, or rats can gain access to your eaves, and even into the loft space. These can be a real hazard, especially when they chew through wiring as this can be a fire risk. Dry nesting material only adds to the danger.
Barge boards and box ends are situated at the gable ends, linking all the components of the roofline together neatly and forming a weatherproof barrier. All of these need to be in good condition to protect your property from water ingress.
Roofing contractors will check the roofline to make sure that these parts are in good repair, or recommend replacement.
Flat roofs have a reputation for being troublesome. However, this mostly applies to older roofs where the materials have degraded and split, allowing water into the premises. Ice dams can cause water to pool on the top, which finds its way through small cracks or is absorbed through the brickwork.
These days, flat roof repairs are generally quicker and easier, and modern flat roof coverings are of much better quality. Some of these boast a lifespan of 50 years or more. These include:
Many commercial properties have flat roofs, and in domestic residential settings, they are often seen on garages or extensions. However, more people are opting for flat roofs on their contemporary homes as an alternative to traditional pitched roofs.
The actual cost of flat roofing repairs is difficult to pinpoint without knowing exactly what is needed. If it's a simple task of fixing a small leak or providing a temporary repair during bad weather, then the cost will be relatively low. However, some flat roof repairs may be extensive, depending on the severity of the damage.
A professional roofer will perform a visual inspection prior to any repair work. It may be that the full extent of any damage won't be apparent until the existing flat roof materials have been lifted.
In the UK, the most frequently requested repair job for flat roofs is for garage roofs. As a rough guide, a single garage roof replacement will cost in the region of £700 - £1,300. Bear in mind that this is for a full replacement. Repair work should cost significantly less but will depend on the size of the job, how long it takes, whether scaffolding is required, and which materials are involved.
Obviously, high-end materials will push up the price of flat roof repairs further.
Roofs should always be level and straight. When they aren't, it usually means that there's a problem.
If you notice that part of the roof seems to dip, then it is never a good idea to leave it as the problem will only get worse, leading to more damage and further expense.
Flat roofs are the easiest to check, as any sagging will be obvious. Pitched roofs aren't as easy to inspect, but should be done inside and out. A professional roofing contractor will be able to assess the damage, determine exactly what the problem is and suggest a suitable solution.
There are several reasons why a roof might sag, whether it's a flat or tile roof.
Increased weight, in the form of ice and heavy snow, can cause a sagging roof. Inferior materials or poor installation can also result cause a roof to sag. Ice dams, especially on a flat roof, will cause water to accumulate, putting more weight on the roof structure. Leaks can cause wood to rot, which then bows under the weight.
Repairing these problems could cost a few hundred pounds, perhaps between £250 - £500 to repair or replace one timber beam. On the other hand, extensive roof repair can become costly if several beams need repairing or replacing.
This is why it is essential to seek help from a professional roofing contractor as soon as you suspect that there's a problem.
Roof repair costs, as we explained earlier, are difficult to predict without knowing the full details. Each roofing job is different, from simple repairs, right up to total roof replacement.
To give some perspective, a new roof will be somewhere in the region of £2,000 - £6000, although this can only be a vague estimate. Roof repairs can increase significantly if the damage is severe, which means that a new roof makes more sense economically.
Roof repairs can take anything from a few hours up to several days, so you will also need to account for labour costs. Other factors to take into consideration include whether any scaffolding is required, the size of the project, and whether you will be using more high-end materials.
For all aspects of roofing work, including the simplest repairs to damaged flashing, new flashing, fixing roof leaks, flat roof repairs, replacing roof tiles, or providing an emergency roof for temporary cover during bad weather, call us today for a no obligation quote.
We believe that roof repair isn't something you should have to worry about. Often, the first you know of the problem is that you notice a leak. Whether the damage is light or severe, you need roofing services that will take the pain and drama out of any situation and provide practical, no-nonsense, cost-effective solutions along with competent workmanship.
Our wealth of knowledge and expertise in roof repairs ensures that we will provide professional roofing services that you can trust.
