Replacing one broken tile or a handful of slipped slates may sound straightforward. In practice, finding a convincing match can be one of the most difficult parts of a small roof repair. Roof coverings change appearance as they age. Concrete tiles fade, clay develops natural weathering and slate can vary in colour, thickness and surface [...]
Sun tunnels need relatively little maintenance once an installer has fitted them correctly. Unlike opening roof windows, they have few moving parts and do not need regular lubrication, adjustment or repainting. However, they still form part of the roof, so homeowners should inspect them occasionally and deal with small problems before they lead to leaks, [...]
Chimneys remain a familiar feature of homes across the UK. They are particularly common on Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses, cottages and properties built before central heating became standard. However, many of these chimneys no longer serve their original purpose. The fireplace may have been blocked up decades ago, while the chimney breast still takes up [...]
If you have started getting quotes for a new roof, you have probably noticed that prices can vary far more than expected. Two houses that look similar from the street can receive very different quotes, and even two roofers pricing the same home may not come back with exactly the same figure. That often leaves [...]
A leaking shed roof does not always need a complete replacement. Where the damage is small and the timber underneath remains sound, a repair kit may provide a practical and affordable solution. UK homeowners can buy kits for traditional roofing felt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and corrugated roof sheets. Some contain only a patch and [...]
Roofing problems often need attention quickly. A leak may be spreading across a ceiling, tiles may have come loose in a storm or water may be entering around a chimney. Unfortunately, urgency can make homeowners easier targets for dishonest or poorly skilled roofers. A cowboy roofer may exaggerate the problem, recommend unnecessary work, demand a [...]
Moss is a common sight on roofs across the UK. Our damp climate, regular rainfall and long periods of cloud cover create ideal conditions for it to grow, particularly on shaded roof slopes. A small amount of moss may not cause an immediate problem. However, thick moss growth can hold moisture against the roof covering, [...]
Felt is one of the best-known flat-roof coverings in the UK, but it is no longer the only mainstream option. Homeowners replacing a leaking garage, extension, porch or dormer roof may also be offered EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass, single-ply membranes or a liquid-applied waterproofing system. Each material has its own strengths. EPDM can provide [...]
Penetrating damp develops when water enters a building through its roof, walls, windows or another external defect. Unlike condensation, which forms from moisture already inside the home, penetrating damp normally comes from an outside source.Heavy rain often makes the problem more noticeable. For example, a previously faint stain may darken after a storm, while paint [...]
Gutter cleaning is boring… right up until your gutters overflow and you’ve got damp patches, flaking paint, algae streaks down the wall, or water pooling at the base of the house. In the UK, blocked gutters are common because we get: lots of wet weather leaf fall in autumn moss shedding from roofs seed pods [...]