5 Common Roofing Repairs

We all know it pays to keep your roof in good condition, especially with the typically wet and windy British weather to contend with. If you’ve found yourself doing running roofing repairs during the winter and spring, summer is the ideal time to get up there and give your roof a really thorough once over. Get things sorted now and you’ll be less likely to run into trouble when the colder and more unpredictable seasons kick in. As experienced roofing contractors, we thought we’d share 5 of the most common roofing repairs we come across:

1. Missing or misaligned tiles: Whether they’ve come loose because they weren’t attached too well in the first place, something has knocked them off or fixings have corroded, misaligned or missing tiles can cause problems. A good underlay may protect the interior from rain and buy you some time in terms of repairs, but it’s best to replace or reset any tiles as soon as you spot them. It’s especially important to deal with repairs promptly in older buildings where there may not be any underlay at all.

2. Broken slates and tiles: As with missing or misaligned roof tiles, broken slates and tiles increase the risk of water damage to the building. Slate can be particularly prone to cracking, so pay careful attention while you’re checking things over. If it’s an older roof, the tiles will have been though many cycles of shrinkage and expansion due to the weather which can weaken the structure and cause them to crack. And if your roof has been tiled with poorer quality materials, bear in mind that it might need closer monitoring and more frequent repairs.

3. Roof sagging: some settling is to be expected in any building, but a sagging roof can be a cause for concern. It can happen as a result of weak, rotten or infested roof timbers and supporting walls, heavier roofing materials being used or improper load spread. If you do notice some sagging, it’s worth having a professional check the structural integrity of the roof to be on the safe side.

4. Defective flashing and pointing: As well as looking at the tiles, you need to check the pointing and flashing carefully. If you find any cracks, gaps or loose areas, get them sorted as soon as possible. Rainwater seeping through over time can cause roof timbers to rot, mold to grow and will send that repair bill higher. It’s also a good idea to check inside the loft space and on connecting walls and ceilings for any damp patches. Again, with older buildings, there’s a higher chance of deterioration of roofing materials.

5. Blocked or deteriorated valleys: obviously, you want any rainwater to find its way off your roof as quickly as possible. Any blockages or damage to your roof valleys inevitably raises the risk of internal water damage. Keep valleys clear of debris and check for any areas that may need patching up or replacing altogether, particularly old leaded sections.

Experienced roofing contractors you can trust

With over 30 years in business, our Groom Property team have certainly repaired a roof or two! Whether you need regular roof maintenance, simple roofing repairs or a full roof replacement for your commercial property, we can help. Our roofing services cover the M4 corridor from West Wales all the way to London and the South East, including the Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, Swindon and Reading areas.

If you need help to keep your roof up to par, just give us a call on 01269 841416 or fill out our contact form.