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7 Early Signs to Detect if You Have a Problem
I think we can all agree that one of the most important aspects of any home is its roof, one that is quite often – out of sight out of mind.
Not only is it essential to keeping you and your family safe and dry, but it can also add to the overall aesthetic of your house. And of course, you want your home to be stunning, right?
As a proud homeowner, we worry about the structural strength of our homes and cringe at the thought of a significant repair, but unfortunately, we tend to neglect the things we cannot see until it’s too late. And then the ££ signs can really start rolling in, and in this day and age, nobody wants that!
More often than not, the first signs of a problem are a leak or a damp patch appearing in the ceiling. These may only happen at certain times of the year, maybe it has been raining heavily of late? You may even find some broken slates / tiles on the ground outside your house which may have been dislodged during high winds? Whilst you can ignore the problem for a while, at some point the problem will have to be faced.
So, you think you have a problem with your roof? It may be time to take a look, inside and out. The age of your roof and the extent of the damages encountered will determine whether the roof can easily be repaired or whether the roof needs a complete overhaul and upgrade (scary, I know)
But let’s not worry about that right now, identifying Possible Problems could save you those
££….
1. Check for any slipped, broken slates or tiles - These are relatively easy to spot and also easy to repair. But ignoring this problem could result in rusting or corrosion of nails holding the tiles or battens or even the rotting of battens.
2. Falling Mortar – Mainly used for bedding roof junctions such as ridges and verges (the outer edges of the roof) This could be the result of weathering such as frost damage, which has caused the mortar holding the ridge to crumble. The ridge will need to be stripped, cleared of all mortar and re-bedded with fresh mortar.
3. Moss on the Roof - Although moss on roof tiles is rarely a problem and it should only need to be removed if it is blocking gutters, outlets and other drainage points on the roof or if the moss has forced the tiles apart, here’s a little fact for you 😉 Concrete tiles are most prone to moss as they tend to become pitted over time.
4. Mortar missing from your chimney - If the mortar on your chimney is starting to fall out, then it’s time to get your chimney repointed. The mortar at the top of the chimney may also need replacing (the Flaunching or also known as the 'Chimney Crown'). it might also be worth having the lead flashing around your chimney checked and replaced if required.
5. Loose or Damaged Guttering - If your guttering is looking a little loose or even damaged this could cause potential leaks. Most joints in the guttering can be resealed, but if UPVC downpipes are cracked or you have a cast-iron downpipe and is heavily rusted, then these may require replacing. Checking regularly for blocked guttering is also best practice!
6. Damaged roofing felt - Roofing felt is used to provide an additional layer of waterproofing under the tiles or slates. A small area of damage can be patched pretty easily. Although if the damage is more extensive and the roof is leaking, it is normally a sign that there could be other problems with the roof.
7. Condensation in Roof Space - If you are noticing water trapped in the roof space then this could be the cause of insufficient ventilation. Water condenses on the felt and then drips onto the floor of the roof space, causing damp patches to appear on your ceiling or walls of the floor below. The best fix for this would be replacing the roofing felt with a new breathable membrane which would allow moisture to escape.
Now that you have read this, I can tell you are itching to grab that ladder and take a closer inspection of your roof, but wait, leave that to the professionals. Stick to the ground, it’s a lot safer for you to perform an initial inspection by using a pair of binoculars to help you see any potential problems!
Do you think have an issue with your roof? Do you have a question you would like to ask? click here to find out more and get in contact with the Patronas Team.