Roofers in Leeds Roofing Repair Problems?

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Best Roofers Leeds
Experienced roofers in Leeds agree that one of the most overlooked matters when it comes to roofing is a job, which is simple enough for even the untrained eyes of a householder is a regular visual inspection of your roof tiles.
From whatever height you are most comfortable with, be that on the ground or up a ladder, with binoculars or not, a roof tile inspection for any possible roof repairs will ensure that minor jobs don’t turn into emergencies.
Of course if you are unsure what to look for or if want a professional roofers in Leeds to thoroughly inspect your roof then you will need to contact us to arrange it.

Below are listed just a few of the more common roofing problems to look out for.

Tiles became heavier when it rains due to the porous nature of the materials they are made from. When that happens the roof can be come overloaded and stressed. Clearly this is going to be a more substantial roofing repair. Look for a dip along the roof ridge or sagging of the roof structure.


Moss has a habit of growing on a roof over time. On a quaint old country cottage this may look ok but most people agree it spoils the look of a roof.  The moss also causes structural problems due to the fact that it retains a lot of water which increases the weight of the tiles leading to possible structural strain.

When water freezes it expands. If your roof is retaining more water than it should due to moss etc. , then there is a much greater chance that it will damage the tiles in that way. The stormy English weather is very adept at finding any weaknesses so cracked and damaged tiles are more likely to be the weakest link.

A roof that is exposed to the worst of the weather by a cracked, missing or loose tile is very much more likely to suffer a leak.

Moss is no good for the longevity of a roof because as it grows it can lift up the tiles and leave the roof exposed to stormy weather.Moss causes numerous problems on a roof. Moss acts like a sponge retaining large volumes of water.In the cold winter months freezing temperatures crystallise the moisture laden moss , causing the water to expand and move the tiles in what is known as frost heave. All areas of the roof can be effected by this process.

Birds are attracted to a moss covered roof because it is usually home to a number of insects which they feed off. Birds tear off the top layer of roof moss, to expose the insects living in it and then discard the moss which generally finds its way into the gutter, and is the cause of leaks and overflow. It can also get into your drains and block them.

Roofing felt perishes once exposed to the bad weather and that causes further opportunities for leaks to happen.


Loose aged, or defective mortar in the ridges leave the roof open to the elements. Rain has a habit of coming in all directions and if there is a way in the water and wind will find it. Dampness in the roof space will be the result.

The largest and heaviest tiles are also the most exposed: ridge tiles. It is very easy for wind and rain to get at these if the cement and mortar is loose or faulty.
These tiles can cause a lot of damage if they are dislodged and before that, any gaps in the cement will be the route for any rain water to gain access to the under roof area, so make sure they are inspected regularly by both yourself and competent Roofers in Leeds

Damaged flashings are also the cause of many roof problems. This can be as a result of poor fitting or simple deterioration of the joints over time.

Simple roofing maintenance like removing debris from the gutters once a year after autumn fall of leaves will help make sure that water runs of smoothly.

It should also be remembered that roof tiles do have a finite life. They will eventually need repairing. Sometimes a patch job will be sufficient if the damage is isolated but in the case of structural work or perished tiles then your appointed Roofers in Leeds will need to be engaged for a full roof replacement.

Structural work may be required if the roof timbers are old or were improperly fitted. Look for sagging roof lines. If you do see this it might not be too much of a problem but make sure you consult with a competent Leeds roofer.

If you have any query about the state of your roof then call Best Roofers Leeds Roofing Contractors on 0113 208 9394 and you will be sure to get great service and a competitive quote that you can trust. Find our website at www.best-roofers-leeds-roofing.co.uk .

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Best Roofers Leeds Roofing Advice -Maintenace

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Best Roofers Leeds

At Best Roofers Leeds we believe it’s important for home owners to have some appreciation or knowledge of roof maintenance so that they know what to do or when to call in the expert roofers in Leeds when a problem arises.

I am not suggesting you need to become an expert in roofing repairs yourself but the basics will ensure you don’t end up leaving a minor issue which turns into a big problem. This will definitely save you money on roofing services later.

A regular visual roof inspection is therefore highly recommended but what are the basics to look out for:

  • Flashing – The purpose of flashing is stop water entering into the house. Flashings do lose their permeability with age so you need to check internally that water is not getting in. Look for stained brick work and or damp or stained plaster.
  • Tiles – regularly check for missing tiles and look out for gaps appear in the mortar. All these can lead to water getting in. Replace it early and your bills will be much smaller
  • Roof structure – Over time some roofs begin to sag and again this can distort the water flow and cause internal damage so it’s important to keep an overview on the roof shape. This could simply require a relaying or replacement of the tiles or it could be that defective materials have been used and need to be replaced. Many roofs will not meet current building regulationss but only a few actually need additional strengthening.
  • Tile composition- Much as we would like our roof to last forever you need to expect that at some point roof tiles are going to disintegrate. Look for signs of this process like discolouration, finding small pieces of roofing material in the garden and in the gutters.
  • Flat roofs- A particular problem for flat roofs is ponding water. Static water which sits on the roof will eventually leak into the house causing extensive damage. If water is still standing after 48 hours you may have a problem that needs looking at.

Taking care of these items will definitely extend the useful economic life of the roof. Clearly some jobs are capable of being done by a competent, safety conscious DIYer who doesn’t have challenges with heights (a very common fear).Other jobs or circumstances require the assistance of professional Leeds roofers who can quickly confirm or identify the issue and put it right.

Out of sight should not be out of mind. Your roof protects your home from the elements and deserves attention from a recommended Leeds roofing contractor with a reputation for quality work and one who guarantees their work.

Best Roofers Leeds Roofing is one such Contractor. Happy to advise on roof repairs, roofing maintenance and flat roofs replacement in Leeds and the surrounding area.

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Roofers Leeds Winter Warning

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Best Roofers Leeds

As the first snow of the winter falls it is a good time to check on your roof health, or have it checked by roofers Leeds.

Particularly when snow falls overnight and has an opportunity to lay and perhaps freeze, then the following day presents an ideal chance to assess the effectiveness of your loft insulation.

If you are able to check your roof throughout the day note how quickly or how slowly the snow on your roof melts in comparison to your immediate neighbours. This will provide a very good indicator of just who has the appropriate amount of insulation and who doesn’t. If your roof clears before your neighbours then it’s likely that the heat in your home is escaping more quickly and that means higher heating bills . The modest investment in loft insulation will be quickly repaid.

A note of caution however make sure that you are comparing like with like as the neighbours house across the street  may have an more easterly facing roof which catches the warming rays of the sun before the roof on your house.

Another useful indicator that comes with the snow is seeing if you may have a blockage of some sort in a gutter. Without the snow in the gutter the dark blockage may either be less visible or indeed reside below the top gutter level, however, if, following the fall of some snow it becomes apparent that there is a blockage in may be time to call roofers Leeds to clear the blockage and whilst they are up there give your roof and gutters a roof maintenance health check before the onset of another harsh winter.

Look out too for gutters which are unable to cope with the run off as the snow melts which again may indicate a blockage or perhaps ill fitting gutters.

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LEEDS ROOFERS ESSENTIAL ROOF REPAIR & GUTTER MAINTENANCE

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Best Roofers Leeds

To extend the life of your roof and maintain your home it’s essential to have all elements of the roof fully and properly maintained by competent Leeds Roofers. From attic to basement the roof protects the house and time and money invested in roof repair and maintenance is very well spent.

It’s very important that water is dealt with properly and directed away from the property.

When water runs off the roof it must be properly diverted, if not, it can be very costly to fix especially if water is allowed to run down and penetrate the foundations of a home. This causes many problems.

The roof is an extremely important part of the home. Everything inside the house relies on the roof for protection and indeed all the other external features of the house rely on the job done by the roof.

For this reason it is vital that all the parts of the roof system are properly maintained either by a competent, confident, safety conscious homeowner or by professional Roofers in Leeds.

Rather than waiting for water to show up inside the house before you realise that you have a leaking roof in need of roof repairs Leeds Roofers can be engaged to undertake a regular roof health check and spot the signs early and deal with any issues before they cause further damage.

Another area that requires regular attention is guttering.

GUTTERING

The exterior drainage system for your house is provided by the guttering. In order to maintain proper drainage and avoid the  potentially very harmful effects of water getting into the house and into the foundations it is very important to ensure regular maintenance, repair and cleaning of the gutters.

Poorly designed or dirty gutters will ruin your roof and create problems in various parts of the house especially when water is backing up and entering the sub roof areas or overflowing and dropping directly into the foundation area.

It is recommended that gutters are cleaned twice a year. Spring and late autumn are the best times to ensure that debris and any damage from the winter months is dealt with early and leaves from the fall are removed before the onset of winter.

This regular gutter cleaning will significantly improve the effectiveness and longevity of the roof and the guttering.

However gutter maintenance is a lot more than just cleaning out leaves.  At this time pay particular attention to whether any parts of the gutter system is sagging. You might need to add additional reinforcement supports. Thorough checking is required along each of the joints between gutters and downspouts.

Gutters have been made in a variety of materials over the years and each has its on maintenance requirements.

The cast iron guttering on older properties can be made to last for many years provided that it is painted regularly. Special attention needs also to be given to the fixings as the gutters are very heavy. Since joints are often made by bolting two pieces together this has to be sealed and attention needs to be given to ensure the seal remains water tight. If water has been running through for some time it’s likely to have rusted and the bolts need to be removed using a hacksaw to cut through them.

Unfortunately if the gutter has holes in it then it is unlikely to have much useful life left. Repairs are unlikely to last and consideration should be given to replacement.

Well installed Plastic upvc guttering and downpipes look great and their upkeep is significantly less so it is often worth considering gutter replacement rather than prolonging the life of metal gutters too long.

So ensure that that your gutters are well maintained either by Leeds Roofers or if you require further information ask or visit Roofers Leeds

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