I’m a roof expert – five tell-tale signs your home needs to be repaired and what to do after rain
THE first signs of spring may be in the air, but over the past few months, our homes have taken a battering from the elements, including a lot of rain.
In some cases, this damp and wet weather has started to cause damage.
As temperatures creep up a little, now could be the perfect time to give your property the once-over, to check if there’s any repairs which need to be carried out.
Roof expert, Lily Struthers, from Bear House Builds, has been a verified trader on Checkatrade for three years now.
She told The Sun: “If a problem with your property doesn’t get addressed quickly, there’s a risk you could end up facing a much bigger bill in the long run, because things have got much worse.
“The best approach is to take action as soon as you spot an issue. While you may be able to tackle simpler maintenance jobs yourself, for more complicated issues, such as those relating to your roof, you need to call in a tradesperson.”
We asked Lily to explain some of the early tell-tale signs your property needs to be repaired.
Seeing daylight in your loft
After heavy rainfall, Lily recommends going up to check your loft.
“If you can see daylight up there, it’s likely to be the case that your roof is in need of some repair,” she said.
“While you’re there, also check for wet patches and damp smells. It will only take you five minutes to do this, but those few minutes could save you a world of pain later.”
As a guide, for a simple job with no access issues, you could expect to pay around £170 to replace up to five roof tiles.
This figure could rise to £225 if a ladder is required, along with cement to bed the tiles in.
By contrast, if there is extensive roof damage, you could end up forking out closer to £10,000 for the complete replacement of a tiled roof.
Mortar missing from a ridge
After a particularly heavy storm, you may find that mortar from the ridge of your roof has begun to erode.
“Bad weather can result in crumbling mortar,” said Lily.
“On a small house, you might pay under £1,000 to get the ridge line repaired. But if left unattended, over time, even the smallest amount of mortar missing from a ridge could start rotting the timber.
“And, once the batten is rotten, it is likely there will be a lot more damage to come.
“The cost could run into several thousands of pounds, especially if you end up needing to call in the local plasterer and painter, too.”
Missing ridge tiles
Ridge tiles are the most exposed of all the tiles on your roof, which puts them at risk of damage from the elements.
Lily said: “Older ridge tiles are especially prone to becoming loose and falling off.”
With this in mind, it’s vital to fix any problems as soon as they arise. According to Checkatrade, the average cost of replacing three ridge tiles, including materials and labour, is £140.
“Be aware that once one becomes loose, it is likely others along the ridge will do the same in the near future,” warned Lily.
“If you have older tiles, it’s not recommended that you fix a small section without replacing the whole lot.”
As a guide, the cost of replacing ridge tiles is around £700 for 10m.
Damage around your chimney
If you see any changes in the flashing around your chimney, this should set the alarm bells ringing, according to Lily.
This metal protects the most vulnerable parts of your roof from the elements. It stops rain from getting into the roof where the chimney and roof tiles meet.
“If it cracks or comes loose, it can lead to much bigger problems,” said Lily.
“Even the smallest tear in the lead flashing around your chimney is a cause for concern.”
When flashing is damaged, moisture is able to run inside the roof seams.
While a relatively basic repair job, without scaffolding could cost around £200, if the problem is more extreme, and you need to replace all four sides of the chimney flashing, you could face a bill of around £425.
Equally, if scaffolding is needed for the replacement of all four sides, you could be looking at more like £800.
A leak in your bedroom
Another warning sign you can’t afford to ignore is a leak.
Lily said: “In the world of roofing, the leak which appeared in your bedroom a few weeks ago could well
be an indication of a problem which began months ago. This could be a missing tile, a cracked tile or mortar missing from the valley.”
A valley is the point where two sloped roofs meet. It is designed to channel rainwater down towards the gutter.
According to Checkatrade, it could cost around £350 to repair one roof valley.
“The leak inside your home could even be caused by a build-up of moss,” added Lily. “This can affect the flow of rainwater.”
For moss removal from a small roof using a pressure water, you could expect to pay around £550. For a larger roof, this could be closer to £720.
Lily said: “The cost of a seasonal roof clean is a whole lot less than the potential fee for repairing damage from obstructions and growths.”
Also be diligent about cleaning your gutters. Make sure they are clear of leaves and other debris.
Lily said: “If you find a leak in a bedroom, you need to get it investigated properly. You don’t want to find out there’s a snapped batten.
If this doesn’t get fixed, you could end up with water eating away at the timber and frame of the house, causing the mortar to crumble away. You could then end up having to cough up thousands to get the problem fixed.”
Get your roof regularly inspected
One of the best ways to protect your home is by getting a professional to carry out a roof inspection.
“He or she will check the entire roof and chimney, as well as the garage roof and any other roofs you have,” said Lily.
“They will tell you what needs doing, and the work that needs tackling right away.”
This could include both regular maintenance and simple seasonal precautions.
“Maintaining your home is usually a lot cheaper than repairing it,” added Lily.
“I’d also strongly advise that, when it comes to your roof, unless you know exactly what you are doing, avoid self-repair at all costs.”
A professional will have the tools and knowledge to carry out the work safely, and to a high standard.
By contrast, if you get things wrong when attempting some DIY, you could end up having to foot a far bigger bill to put things right.