SarahBeenySpringIssue2017 - 279
OUTSIDE ▲ R egular maintenance is key to ensuring nothing goes wrong with your roof when the weather gets a bit lively. And it's not just about keeping out the elements - a well-maintained roof will conserve heat, saving you money on energy bills. HOLLY'S ROOFS WERE TOTALLY REPLACED TAKE A GOOD LOOK If this is the first time you've thought about your roof, have a good look to see what it's built with - it could be slates, concrete tiles, corrugated iron or something else. Then look at its structure - is it a gabled roof, flat roof or a hipped roof? Don't climb up there unless you have the correct ladders or a scoffold tower. You can get a good idea what's going on by standing on the opposite side of the road or in the garden and using binoculars. These are some of the things you should be looking for: Missing or slipped tiles or slates Sagging gutters and loose brackets Blocked guttering or downpipes A leaking joint in a gutter or downpipe Plants or weeds growing out of the roof or guttering Defective or missing flashing - the lead or zinc sheet used to prevent the passage of water where the roof joins any parapet walls or chimney stack A leaning chimney stack or parapet wall. WEATHER WATCH Gutters are an important part of your roof - they stop rainwater soaking into your exterior walls. Because of their positioning, the weather will inevitably cause wear and tear, so they need regular checks - at least once a year - and routine maintenance. Look for cracks and bends - left unchecked these can cause serious damage to the roof. Downspouts carry water away from the roof gutter and usually have a joint at the end, so liquid doesn't pool around the foundations of your home, causing leaks and damp patches. If there is a blockage in this joint then water will collect in the roof gutter, which can eventually cause leaks. This is why it's so important to keep your gutters debris-free. WORDS: MARIE JOHNSON, IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK TRIM AND PRUNE Overhanging tree branches can damage your roof - make sure you cut them back regularly, so they are not impinging on your house. Replace any missing or damaged tiles straightaway, so no further problems arise. Look out for nasty black streaks, as this is an indication that mould or fungus is thriving on the tiles. It's important to remove any mould or fungus immediately, because they can damage the integrity of your roof. LOOSEN UP If your area has had a particularly severe storm, or even prolonged strong winds, check for loose, damaged or missing tiles once the weather is a bit calmer. Any damage will need to be fixed as quickly as possible. For this, you will need a professional roofer or handyman - unless you are proficient at such skilled work. CALL IN THE EXPERTS If the problem is too big to contemplate yourself, or you need some advice, contact the National Federation of Roofing Contractors to find a local, registered contractor (nfrc.co.uk). Alternatively, you can use mybuilder.com or checkatrade.com to find a qualified roofer. Unfortunately, there are scammers, who tend to target older people, so be careful to choose a recommended tradesperson. LETTING in water HOLLY HALL, 32, A FREELANCE DESIGNER, DIDN'T REALISE HER ROOF WOULD NEED REPLACING WHEN SHE MOVED IN. IT WAS ONLY AFTER SHE SPOTTED A LEAK WHILE DECORATING THAT IT BECAME CLEAR 'My husband, Matt, and I first noticed the problem while redecorating - we spotted a water line upstairs, running right across the width of the house. 'We looked in the loft and saw that the roof was soaking. Bad condensation and poor repairs meant the roof needed an overhaul. We also needed to get the flat roof fixed, as it had been felted with shed materials, which aren't suitable for an extension. 'To start with, I researched a few companies using checkatrade.com and looked into what I should expect to pay for works. 'We chose a company that thoroughly inspected both roofs and inside the loft, too. They found that the chimney was open, which meant water was able to get into the walls of the house. 'Rather than waste money on repairs, we were advised that it would be best to have completely new roofs. We also opted for a sky light in the loft to save us having to do it later on. 'During the work, however, a few skeletons cropped up. The first was that the extractor fan in the bathroom didn't lead anywhere. 'Also, the builder who built the extension had lined the flat roof with plastic sheeting, so that condensation from the bathroom collected in the roof. 'It wasn't insulated, either, so we were losing a lot of heat. I learned that it pays to do your research and to have a ballpark figure in mind, as some quotes we had were double the price that we paid in the end.' > THIS FLAT ROOF HAD BEEN FELTED WITH SHED MATERIALS www.athomemagazine.co.uk MAY 2017 | 279