Category: Roofing Advice

The role of a functioning downspout

Downspouts can easily go unnoticed through time because nobody would really care about them unless you’ll be the first to receive the impact of a damaged downspout. But that seems unlikely since the downspout is connected directly to the gutter, and they function together.

A downspout is a pipe attached to the gutter of your roof. Without the downspout, all water that has amassed on the gutter will carelessly pour on the ground, damaging different parts of the guttering system and the receiving walls and ground as well. Your gutter’s downspout is a crucial component for your home’s roofing system.

To ensure that the downspout installed on your roof functions properly, you might also want to check if the gutter does its job perfectly. The gutter system, which includes the downspout, should keep your home protected. Otherwise, the presence of your roof would lose its essence in diverting the water to where it should flow.

Downspout structure

A piece of a connecting pipe, the downspout will serve its purpose well if it is glued effectively to the gutter. The gutters commonly have holes in each corner. From there, you will notice the placement of downspouts on those holes. This attachment is crucial in keeping the water out because a slight opening will allow the water to leak. When it rains hard, the damaged downspout will not be able to bear the water pressure, slowly detaching itself from the hole. This is the common scenario for a failing gutter system. In such a case, the downspout needs replacement.

Some homes have downspouts built for curb appeal. It depends on the design of your home and on how your roofer will install the downspouts. Whether downspouts are hidden beneath the wall or exposed, the pipes go down directly to where flash guards are built and a narrow trench on each of them good enough to accommodate the pipe. These pipes travel through the home’s main water drain system, usually situated just under the front yard. The purpose of the downspout system is to drive water correctly so the water won’t erode the soil and make further damage on the masonry eventually. The grounding pipe in the trench serves as a catch basin for all the water coming from the roof.

The gutter

The gutter is the perfect pair for the downspout. Its main function is to redirect the water collected from the rain or snow. When the water is routed correctly, it will save your home’s foundation from crumbling. The soil on the ground will soon erode if it continuously receives the run-off water, slowly damaging other parts of your home.

Gutters are made of different materials. They can be aluminium, copper, steel, PVC, or cast iron. In order for the gutters to work properly, they should be free of clutter. Today, roofers and homeowners place gutter guards to keep debris away. A gutter guard, cover, or mesh, will prevent any kind of object from hampering the flow of rainwater. Ask your roofing provider for a durable gutter cover fit for your gutter and roof design.

The gutter should be designed to serve as an effective channel in driving the water down the spout. The truth is, water is scary on this aspect because it can ruin everything. Imagine a gutter that is damaged, clogged, broken, aged, or rusted, water will find its way somewhere, and the danger lies that when it’s uncontrollable, the damage it can do to your home is immeasurable.

For example, the attic; when water roll off on your roof but the gutter fails to catch all of it, the tendency is that water will creep in the underlayment of the roof. Trapped water will build up moisture. And then some of this moisture will cause fungi on wood. The plyboards and wood built, including insulation sheets, in the attic will soon rot.

With an effective guttering system, your home will be free from the following:

• Deterioration of tiles, fascia, soffit from moulds and fungi.
• Moisture buildup within walls and ceiling.
• Damage to home’s foundation and basement due to flooding.

With the extent of trouble the water brings to every part of your roof, make sure that the guttering system is inspected for possible damage. Call your hired roofing contractors in Bristol and other areas in the UK. They can for certain conduct periodical inspection and prep your roof before a major outburst of storm or snow.

For all your roofing repair, trust only the experienced builders. Contact us now and let our team assess your place.

Property owners sometimes come into thinking the longevity of their roof. The roof is an integral part of a building and the first line of defense against harsh environmental catastrophes. Keeping your roof in good condition is ensuring your safety and peace of mind even in inclement weather.

The age of your property speaks for the age of the roof. However, there are certain factors that the roof may not last as long as the other parts of the house, depending on how it is constructed and the materials you chose.

Call Roofers Bristol UK on 01172 900264 Visit Home Page

Generally, the roof stands for 20 years and more. But there might be signs that your roof is ageing and it needs replacement if repair is far too much to save it.

What are the signs that your roof needs to be replaced?

Have you ever tried going up the roof yourself and check its condition? If not, we don’t encourage you to climb the roof as it is a dangerous move. There are other ways to check for signs of damage on your roof, and it does not have to be a risky take. Sometimes, during the day, you can spot for missing tiles when you stand quite afar leveled on the street. If you have a ladder, it is easier to spot those roof failures by using a torch.

These are the signs of your deteriorating roof:

• Leaks
• Missing tiles/broken tiles
• Bent or sagged portion of the roof
• Holes
• Rotten wood due to moulds and moisture
• Broken gutter
• Rotten soffit
• Misaligned fascia

It is okay to worry when you see any of these signs because, at this point, it is no doubt that your roof has too much damaged and needs replacement. It also helps to get more information and have a firm grasp on roofing materials and how these materials affect the roof’s longevity.

In case you are buying a new home, knowing the age of the roof will prepare you for better days ahead or the other way around. It is beneficial, while not your an expert on this field, learning what and how to make your roof last will be highly helpful for the rest of your life if you opt to stay in that purchased home. The essence of being informed will give you security, peace of mind, convenience, and huge savings—not having to worry for frequent repairs. On the other hand, assuming your house has been there since you were born, it absolutely needs maintenance or replacement.

Factors that affect a roof’s age

Type of roofing material

Do you know that the oldest homes use slate tile materials on their roofs? Slate tiles can be traced back to the 12th century among European structures. They are regarded for their exquisite and elegant beauty and durability. Slate roofs can last for a hundred years and more. Most churches and historical structures used slate roof tiles because they are extremely fire resistant. The downside of using a slate roof is the price and weight. Your home needs evaluation before installing a slate roof based on its capacity to withstand the pressure.

Today, since slate tiles are not the practical option, composite slates were invented to come up with synthetic slates, which are cheaper and lighter but with the same elegance and aesthetic appeal.

Typically roofs age range from 20 to 100 years. Let’s have a purview of the different roof materials and their lifespan.

• Cedar—approximately 20 years
• Concrete—100 years
• Composite—20+ years
• Asphalt—15 to 30 years
• Metal—50 to 75 years
• Rubber—30 to 50 years

Other things to consider

Surface issues on the roof do not mean a re-roofing venture. These slight damages can be fixed than having to pay for the entire roof. Further, the age of the roof is affected by the way it is installed. Poor workmanship of novice roofers will only make things worse and will leave you penniless for endless repairs.

The mistakes in the installation are reversible but cost a lot of stakes; misaligned gutters and fascias, poor chimney caulking, incomplete tools and equipment to carry out the task, and hasty work duration can cause significant damage in ventilation and impractical choice of roofing materials.

If you feel your roof frequently needs replacement, always look for reliable builders. Roof experts from Roofers Bristol work with 100% professional craftsmanship. Don’t wait long, ask our staff, and all your queries will be answered promptly.

When it rains, it pours. The one thing that annoys most people when inside their homes, enjoying a rest is a leaking roof! Obviously, without rain, you wouldn’t notice a hole or crack in your roof.

Since the roof was built, it was exposed to punctures and various damages from harsh weather. Sun or rain can damage the roof. Even if it’s sunny in your area, in no time, some parts of the roof will soon be affected by moisture, heat, fallen branches of trees, animal manure, etc. And the fact that the roof is the least part of your house for you to be concerned about because you don’t see it unless you look up, you care less whether there’s a problem until the damage directly affects you.

What you can do

In case of heavy rains and your roof starts to leak, there are minor things you can do to help solve the problem. It is annoying how a leak disrupts your day, given that you’re not an expert who has to climb a roof to make an immediate repair. You can do some things to mitigate the leak, temporarily, and from there you can assess how much the roof needs repair. These sudden instances don’t require you to call a roofer, but the tips below will prevent you from causing more damage to the roof and save money after all.

Stay away from leaks and move away items and furniture and electrical appliances in the house that can be soaked with water—If it’s inconvenient to move heavy things around to avoid the water, cover these items instead of waterproof material and place a container directly where the leak is coming from. Keep in mind that no matter how small a hole could be, the water can damage the things it comes to contact with when they are not supposed to be damped.

Place a container on the spots of leaks—Another smart strategy to contain the water is to place a bucket on the spot to catch the water. You can even attach the pail a little higher onto the ceiling by tieing the handle with a string to a hook. Just be careful and vigilant that the water might pile up soon, the pail will turn upside down, giving you more headache eventually. Don’t do this if the rain pours hard; the water will seep in fast.

Mop the water—Some homes have carpeted floors. Soaked carpets must be pulled off immediately to avoid molds from accumulating. Dry the floor and the carpet using a vacuum cleaner. Water that seeped through the sides of the wall can also damage woodworks. So, it is necessary to clean and dry them all to prevent further damage to the walls.

In your little way, you can do the following to prevent leaks during heavy storms:

• Clean gutters and remove objects that block the water
• Check roof flashing and see if there are broken corners
• If trees surround your house, trim them regularly to keep from leaves and branches collecting on the roof

What we can do

Being your licensed contractors, you can call us anytime if you suspect your roof has been exposed to substantial damage. For our clients, we will look into our agreement regarding insurance coverage, and fix that roof right away to protect you from future emergencies.

Always trust a certified roof builder so the job will not be a second rate when it comes to the stability and durability of the roof materials used. We at Roofers Bristol, we ensure that our undertakings are completed right the first time. If there can be any issues, we see to it that these are minimal. We don’t want to give the burden of having to fix the leaking roof by yourself or calling a novice to handle the repair.

Never trust a roofing company that will give you false promises. Always be keen on verifying their existence and their license to operate. Bogus roofing service providers often do not have office satellites to visit. Check their website, too. With Roofers Bristol UK, you can always depend on us. Call us and enjoy our 24-hour emergency call-out, so you will never run out of solution when situations get tough. Our team of experts are just a call away; they are the key to your informed decision making.

Homeowners are committed to keeping their homes in good health, no matter what the cost and regardless of its age. Acting as our first line of defence and as the largest part of our house, the roof is exposed to all kinds of environmental hazards. When snow, extreme heat, ice, heavy rains, storms, and wind hit the roof, it becomes the most vulnerable part of the house.

Admittedly, even if you keep the expenses low by not hiring professional roofers to check on your roof, you have no choice but to seek their help. You don’t want to lay a hand on things that aren’t your ability to fix, although some of us have such talent to do a self-repair, doing roofing tasks is a dangerous job.

Keep Your Roof in Top Shape

It is a good thing to keep an eye on your roof. When you suspect a leak, sometimes it does not require a professional roofer to fix the problem. Your vigilance will pay off if you think the matter becomes severe and you need someone more skilled to do the job.

Here are the top three signs you need to call a professional roof builder:

1. Clogged gutters—the importance of gutters means they need regular cleaning. Clogged gutters will affect your entire roofing. As gutters are essential to the functionality of your roof and of your home as a whole, unclogging them regularly will keep you away from bigger problems. However, since they don’t affect our daily activities, gutters are often overlooked until they fail to divert water and lead the water down the drain. Heavy rains can be devastating and will cause serious damages on your gutter, and if it is destroyed water will seep through other areas and will cause flooding. Sometimes, a simple de-clogging of gutters will do, such as removing fallen leaves or objects that obstruct the flow of water. But due to the heavy stress of clog, gutters soon fall off. This time, you need a skilled roofer to fix or replace the gutter.
2. Falling or sagging roof deck—how would you know if your roof deck is sagging? Or about to crumble? A sagging roof can be caused by several factors. Unbalanced ceiling joints mean they can no longer bear the weight of the roof. Eventually, the roof will sag due to this imbalance. Other elements of a sagging roof include heavy snow or rains which add weight to the roof due to water deposits into the rafters, heavy debris brought about by strong winds, and curled or cracked tiles or metal roofs due to extreme heat. Old age, too, can be a detrimental factor for your failing roof. If your home was built a long time ago and you haven’t done any maintenance work on the roof, it’s time to have it checked. Or if you have been in the neighbourhood since you were born and then your neighbourhood whose home was built about the same time as yours and is now having a roof replacement, better think about your roof, too.
3. Broken tiles—Some roof tiles will begin to bend, curl, or crack in time. If that happens, they will eventually fall off, leaving patches that will make your roof like a bald roof. One or two tiles out is not alarming. But if many tiles are soon leaving their posts, there can be a problem beneath the roof surface. Such a complex problem needs a skilled worker to check on the root cause. Maybe it is time to replace your roof.

What to look for in a roofing contractor

Roof repair or replacement is the job of a professional home builder. Roofers in Bristol have skilled men that keep an eye on your roof’s health. They are essential role models in the building and home industry. Roofing pros, such as the Roofers Bristol, have certification in the roofing business which gives them a license to carry out a task that will benefit you on a large extent. Our men are equipped with information and current trends relevant to what homeowners and commercial building owners should also know.

Don’t wait until your roof drops over your head. Call us right away, and our friendly staff will lead you right away to our expert roofers. Or fill out the form found on this website. Make your roof last for years and enjoy safety inside your home.

If it is your first time to hire a roofer because your home is newly bought or your roof has leaking problems or any other issues, hiring a roofer can be a daunting task. You sort through the yellow pages (if the yellow page is still available) or browse the web for the nearest building contractor in your area. Obviously, having found one on the Internet will make you quickly believe that that one is good enough for the job, for who would think that this roofer is not a reliable roofer in the first place? Remember that even the amateurs can be found on the Web!

Yes, it is truly tiresome looking for that “reliable” contractor but the rewards of finding the right one, being trustworthy and all, is a reward of a lifetime. Your roof is the topmost cover of your shelter. When it is compromised, it is difficult to replace it or to make repairs, plus it involves a lot of spending on labour and materials. Hiring the most reliable roofer in the UK is a task you should never get tired of.

If you are honest, you may have no idea what makes a good roofing contractor. So, outlined here are 10 questions to ask when hiring a roofer. Remember, never sign that contract or engage in any negotiation unless you are satisfied with all the answers.

1. Do you have a license? It is always almost the first question to ask. Why? Because a license is a valid proof of one’s expertise. Anybody can claim to be a roofer or a building contractor, and refusal to divulge if he is qualified to undertake the job means you can suspect that he is a fraud. Also, a license is a requirement in some states before a roofing contractor can work, though different states or government have different requirements. The license will serve as your legal bind when something goes wrong with the project.
2. Are you insured? A contractor working in your premise without insurance from the roofing company he is connected will give you more trouble in the event of injury during fieldwork. You don’t want to be responsible for unnecessary bills that result from injury. The insurance will serve as your protection, too.
3. Are you hiring subcontractors? When the work involved is complex, some contractors hire subcontractors to carry out the job fast. However, you have to take precaution on subcontracting and ask assurance from your contractor who’s paying who.
4. Do you have a physical office address or a telephone number other than the one I used to contact you? There are many fly-by-night contractors. If you doubt the legality of the operation of the builder that arrived at your home, verify his office address and call such office to check if the person you’re talking to is connected to the company. Worse is that if the roofer came from a far city, you will have difficulty running after him when something goes wrong with the job.
5. Do you offer a warranty? If so, for how long? When considering the cost of new tiles or entire roof replacement, it is smart to ask for warranty. Remember that your old roof has somewhat used up the warranty, and if there are remaining years, they are likely shorter than the one your roofers are going to replace. So, you will be expecting an extended warranty or a fresh new warranty that will span at least 25 years more.
6. Will you replace the old roof? Ask your roofers if they are going to remove your old roof. You expect your roofers to make a visual inspection before they make repairs. The essence is that they will spot problems that need fixing so that when they install a new roof, you’ll have no worries of uncompleted jobs.
7. Can you provide me with a quotation? After inspection, you expect your roofing contractor to provide you with a quotation of the total costs expected to incur, such as labour in removing the old roof, labour on new installation, material costs, and additional labour fees. Let them assure you that the quotation is transparent and that no hidden charges along the way.
8. Do you bring with you general liability insurance? It is easy to say yes if you are the contractor. However, homeowners are keen on protecting their property. It happens at times when contractors accidentally damage something during the process of installation of repair and they don’t bring with them a certificate of liability. This certification is important when something happens during the operation, your roofers are the ones responsible for it.
9. What is my assurance that you will be back and complete the job when there is inclement weather? Inclement weather cannot be avoided. Once the job starts and suddenly rains or snow, the operation must stop. You need assurance from your roofers what they will do when the harsh condition dies down, and how they are to deal with the issues that might come up.
10. Do you have a project manager or a roofing foreman that I can talk to when I have questions? When the scene is too busy or you’re out of the house to oversee the roofing works, you seek for an available person or reliable roofing foreman to whom you can ask questions related to their works. It’s always the foreman or project manager that can answer your questions regarding progress, timetable, or any other issues that may arise.

We are here to answer your questions

If you’re looking for roofing experts and reliable contractors, you have come to the right place! With class and years of experience in the roofing industry, you can do roof replacement while taking care of your property, because we work with tact and efficiency—just the way you want it. Call us now and let’s discuss your roofing needs. Click Here For More Info

Your home is a property that keeps increasing its value as time goes by. There are modifications you can do to your home as long as you meet certain planning and building permission within your community. Most notable among the changes a homeowner may want is attic or loft conversion.

Attic or loft conversion involves transforming your extra or empty loft space into something useful or functional. The loft can be office space, an extra bedroom, storage, gym, or even a kitchen! The first thing to consider before converting your loft is the ceiling height so that it will define the kind of roofing you will choose.

While the loft is a part of your home, you still need to secure a planning permit from your local government assigned on building requirements. Also, an average decent loft modification will cost you a considerable amount, ranging from £30 000 to £60 000, or depending on the choices of materials used, the size of room extension, and the additional furnishing or interior designing required along the way.

In the UK, converting your home with a loft increases your home value to at least 20%.

Loft in Roofers Bristol

The crew and builders of Roofers Bristol UK pay particular attention to quality workmanship to every project to be undertaken in the area of Bristol and the surrounding towns, especially concerning lofts for attics. The primary concern in this kind of projects is on how the roof is sealed and bonded to complete the loft. Most of the time, builders find the roofing issue where the job was not properly carried out. With a compromised roof, leaking problems will arise, giving the loft huge damage.

When you engage with roofers about your loft conversion, always trust the expert. Employing the best roofers in Bristol will not only give you excellent and efficient service but also peace of mind for many years.

What are the types of conversion can be done on my roof?

Loft conversion done by Roofers Bristol UK is based on the type of loft you like. The roofing process is entirely co-dependent on the loft style. Since roofing styles are varied and so are loft conversion types.

1. Dormer
2. Mansard
3. Hip to gable
4. Roof light

Factors to consider

Your loft space would only be a waste if not converted properly or according to what you have planned. Before having your loft conversion implemented, consider the following points:

• Is there enough head height?
• How steep or low the roof pitch should be?
• What roof structure is suitable?

Headroom is crucial in loft conversion. You need to consider the stairs, the highest point of the ridge to the lowest point, and if you can comfortably walk on the loft without having to bend all the time especially if you are tall. It is disappointing when there is little headroom when the whole floor is done. It is better to lay a plan with your architect or designer to prevent costly solutions when the work is done.

Costing

Loft conversion costing depends on several factors. You can only visualize how much you are going to spend with your loft project if you list down these points.

• What kind of staircase to use
• Insulation
• Floor material and reinforcement or replacement
• Size of the room
• Type of roof and roof materials
• Electrical connections, cabling, lighting, heating, etc.
• Safety compliance; installation of security, fire, and smoke alarms
• Roof alteration (most probably, roofing will affect part of your home; sometimes the roof shape for the loft requires full roof replacement)

There are many things you can do with your loft conversion but you need reliable help from industry’s best. At Roofers Bristol UK, we understand that home improvement and roofing projects should only be performed by qualified roofers. Our company is built with highly qualified professionals and contractors who are National Federation of Roofing Contractors certified. NFRC is an organisation designed to recognise competent and dedicated roofers who only bring out exemplary service in the industry of roofing.

Get a reliable roofer over your head, let’s talk about your loft conversion now, and we’ll handle the rest.