No matter what kind of roof you have, there is always the possibility it may get damaged.
Built with tiles, felt, fibreglass, or even a green roof, every kind of material comes with issues that can arise.
While there are ways you can slow down the occurrence of issues, there is no real way to eliminate them altogether.
So, with that in mind, the team at Roofpro have written this guide on everything you need to know about roofing repairs, and what to do if you find issues of your own.
Let’s take a look.
Signs Your Roof Needs Repairing
We’ll start at the beginning.
How do you know if your roof needs repairing?
Well, there are two ways you can find this out.
Firstly, you can find the problems yourself, or alternatively, you can wait for the problems to come to you.
While the former is the best way of doing things, it’s not always possible.
How to Check for Problems Yourself
This is much easier when you have a flat roof, as you often have a vantage point from which you can look down onto the roof and assess it for damage.
If you have a pitched roof, it is trickier. While you may be able to see issues (broken tiles for example) you won’t be able to get a close look from the outside. If you can access your loft, you will be able to visit this though and look for signs of water dripping through or bursts of sunlight that are obviously breaking through a gap.
A roof should be clean, so if you are noticing build-ups of things such as moss, this can be hazardous and can lead to a build-up of moisture.
Similarly on flat roofs, if water is pooling in one spot, it is a sign your drainage isn’t working and this needs dealing with before the water causes real damage.
Depending on when your roof was built, it is a good idea to keep the lifespan of your roof in mind, and getting a professional check when the time is up is always a good choice to make sure your roof is still in good health.
Signs of Roof Damage That Come to You
Of course, you may not have the means or the time to check your roof thoroughly, and in this case, you may find the signs of damage come to you.
If you’re laying in bed and hearing a dripping noise coming from the attic, or you can hear the wind whistling, this could be a sign of cracked or broken tiles.
You may also find your gutters looking blocked and damaged, or you may even wander past your home today and spot some loose or broken shingles.
Some signs of damage are obvious, and some are harder to spot. All of them are hazardous though, and the longer they’re left, the worse the damage may get.
Flat Roof Repair
While flat roofs are a lot quicker and more cost-efficient to install, they can often be harder to fix.
Some common problems with flat roofs are caused by the fact that materials such as GRP expand in the heat and shrink when the weather turns colder. It is vital you keep an eye on your roof and get a professional team to install it so to avoid the changes in temperature causing issues.
Some other issues you find on roofs made from felt and GRP fibreglass are tearing and bubbling, which can both be caused by extreme weather conditions.
For roof repairs on flat roofs, you must try and use as similar a material as you used on the original build.
While green roofs do come with plenty of benefits, they can be tricky to repair.
There is a lot of weight and moisture on a green roof, and it is a big job to repair as the area that contains the damage needs to be removed and the repair needs to be made before laying the roof again.
Whilst the common issues on flat roofs may be slightly more damaging than on a pitched roof, the fact that you can access the roof to carry them out is a big positive.
Pitched Roof Repair
Pitched roofs are often seen as a luxury, especially when using tiles made from slate or concrete.
While these do come with huge life expectancy, often around 100 years, this doesn’t mean problems can’t arise.
Most of the problems here come from the tiles.
If these have not been secured down properly, are too old, or have been subject to extreme weather conditions such as wind or snow, then they may become loose or cracked.
When this happens, the tile may need replacing or securing back into place.
While this sounds like a simple job, the logistics of getting on top of the roof make it difficult, and safety measures such as installing scaffolding are often needed.
If you can access your loft, this is a great place to look out for rotting timbers, and with some professional help, you may be able to make some changes to your roof from the inside as well.
If you have a window on your roof, this may also need repairing at some point. If this does happen, this is another tricky job and may require professional help to make sure it is done in a safe manner.
The Importance of Regular Checks
There’s nothing more important to keeping a roof healthy than performing regular checks.
Whether your roof has a lifespan of 30 years or 100 years, something can go wrong at any time, and it is vital that you react quickly when it does.
If left unresolved, bubbling and blistering on a flat roof can burst and lead to a much bigger job. Broken or loose tiles are not just hazardous to the roof as they let the elements in underneath, but they’re also dangerous to the public who may be unfortunate enough to be passing under the roof when the tile eventually comes loose and drops.
A check can be in the form of standing outside your home with a pair of binoculars, looking down on your roof from a higher vantage point, or even wandering around it in the case of a flat roof. If you can’t do either of these, it’s worth getting in touch with a professional team to help you.
Roofpro London Roof Repairs
If you think you may have an issue with your roof and want some advice or a free, no-obligation quote on fixing it, then get in touch with Roofpro today.
With years of experience working with many different types of roofs, we’re sure to be able to provide a quick and cost-efficient response if you live in the London area.
We look forward to hearing from you.