Many problems with roofs don’t develop with a dramatic leak on the first day of problems. Often they start small and if you can spot the early signs of trouble then you can save yourself having to spend a fortune to put right a much greater problem later on.
Tiles Slipped Or Missing
As soon as severe weather warnings are issued, check your roof for slipped, damaged or missing roof tiles after the weather has passed. Even one small gap between layers can result in severe damage as water tracks along the roof timbers.
Damp Patches On Ceilings
Damp patches in your ceilings will typically be brown in colour and usually appear after a shower or following long periods of rain. Don’t be tempted to cover the stain with additional paint as the likelihood is that the patches are a sign of water intrusion into the roof space above, travelling down through the loft’s insulation and timbers before appearing as a patch on your ceiling.
Daylight Or Draughts In The Loft
A torch will be able to highlight problems such as pinpricks of light coming through the roof, damp patches to the felt and areas of cold draughts. These areas need to be sealed before any further damage is done and often the loft is the best place to spot problems before they become expensive repairs to ceilings below.
A Dipping Or Sagging Ridge
Be on the lookout for a sagging or dipping Ridge. If your roof Ridge runs in a straight line along your house then a dipping in the middle indicates structural timbers decay. Although this can take years to occur to ultimately collapse then you should arrange for a Cheltenham Roofer to carry out a full structural roof inspection.
Overflowing Or Loose Gutters
When the gutters are overflowing with water it could mean a blockage has occurred. Water left to sit against the edge of the roof and the external wall of your property can cause damage to the fascia and soffits over time.
Thick Moss Or Algae On Tiles
Moss growing on a roof does not necessarily mean it needs to be cleared down. While a small amount of moss and algae is usual on roofs, a large amount can hold a lot of water against the roof tiles after a downpour. This can penetrate up under the tiles within a short space of time. It’s also worth checking if planning permission is required to clear or replace the affected roof tiles, especially in the area covered by the conservation areas of Cheltenham.
Don’t panic – just call us to come and inspect. There could be a repair needed to sort the problem before it gets worse.
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