With all the rain the UK typically gets in a year, ensuring your roof is in tip top condition can be the key to avoiding huge repair bills. Roofs are typically shingle or tile, but for larger buildings other materials may have been used. Figuring out what type of roof you have can help you determine how to make small patching repairs that can help extend the lifespan of your entire roof or whether you need a new roof entirely.
Regular checks can help you find a problem before it becomes a major (and costly) headache. Take the time, three or four times a year, to inspect your roof for problem areas.
To help you figure out if your roof is still doing its job and if you require a new roof or just repairs, we’ve put together five top tips on assessing the strength and fitness of your roof:
- Climb inside the loft with a good torch, ignore the spiders, and check for any part of the roof that’s sagging. Sagging indicates an issue with either the roof materials or with the amount of weight they’re being expected to hold. This could mean that you’ve got an awful lot of snow on the roof, but if you haven’t it may mean that the beams are water damaged or insufficient for the weight of the roof itself.
- Keep an eye out for areas where water is leaking through. Water damage can mean entire roof beams need replacing and lead to sagging (see above), so get those little leaks fixed as soon as you spot them to avoid hefty repair costs.
- Anywhere you can see outside light shining through is, rather obviously, a problem. Shingle or tile roofs can last a long time, but individual shingles or tiles can become cracked or displaced, especially after major storms. The good news is that individual shingles or tiles can be replaced rather than needing a new roof, but you’re better off getting a specialist than attempting a DIY fix.
- Don’t forget to inspect the outside too. Anywhere that’s cracked, bald, torn or has missing tiles or shingles is somewhere you need to direct your attention as soon as possible to avoid larger damage internally.
- Regularly check and clean your gutters and drains, ensure that the water is going where it’s supposed to and not pooling or taking an alternative route through your loft. Take the opportunity to check what flashing and fascia you can, you need watertight seals to stop water getting inside.
Don’t panic if you do find problems, you can start protecting your home by using these checks and fixing issues as they arise. However, if you do find yourself in need of an entire new roof then hire a professional to do the work for you. Roof replacements are dangerous and tough, not something for the home DIYer! Check the Planning Portal for information on replacing your roof, especially if you want to make any changes.
If you live in the Chinnor, Watlington, Aylesbury areas and need advice on your roof or need a new roof, for a free no-obligation quote, give us a call for all things roofing.
