Roof repairs: your complete guide

Mechanical damage is typically the result of a direct impact on your roof that causes your roof tiles, slates or other coverings to break, fall or shift. It can happen to pitched and flat roofs and could be caused by falling tree branches or heavy snow that exceeds your roof’s load-bearing capacity, for example.

Extreme weather, such as heavy snow, acid rain and even very hot temperatures, can cause damage to pitched and flat roofs.

The sun's ultraviolet rays and constant humidity can cause roofing materials to change colour, weaken and degrade more quickly.

Sudden drops and swings in temperature during the winter months leading to freeze and thaw cycles can also cause cracks to form in roofing products.

Moss, algae and lichen can start to form on the surface of your roof and can damage its structure, leading to leaks and damp spots in your loft.

These organisms trap moisture on the surface of your roof, which can cause its wooden beams and rafters to rot and other roofing materials, such as tiles and slates, to erode. They can also block gutters and downpipes and prevent water from draining away effectively.

All building materials naturally age and slowly deteriorate over time. This causes granule loss on asphalt roofs, cracking and flaking of concrete, slate, or clay tiles and corrosion of metal roofing components.

These signs of wear can cause your roof to leak and become damp and draughty and make your insulation less effective.

Chemicals present in the air and rain can also cause your roof to deteriorate. Metal roofs may corrode and organic materials, such as wood and stone, may deteriorate faster when exposed to polluted air and water.

If you live in a city or industrial area, where pollutants and gas emissions are common, your roof may be more susceptible to chemical damage.

There are five warning signs that indicate problems could be arising in your roof, spot and fix them early to stop them from turning into a bigger more expensive problem later.

The age of your roof is a good determinate of its overall condition. Most roofing materials have a specific lifespan. Asphalt shingles can last for 20 or 30 years, for example, while slate and metal roofing materials have a longer lifespan.

Find out the age of your roof and check the expected lifespan of its materials to decide whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. Remember, if previous owners have renewed your property’s roof in the past, your roof could be a lot younger than the rest of your house. A building surveyor will be able to assess the age and state of your roof for you.

It’s often possible to see where your roof is in disrepair. Cracked, fallen or missing tiles or loose roof felt are indications that repairs need to be done to your roof. Water pooling is often a particular problem with flat roofs. This is a sign that there are drainage or structural issues that could lead to damp and a leaking roof.

If you can see patches of moss, algae or lichen on your roof, it could be a sign that too much moisture is gathering on the surface of your roof, which can cause your roof to decay. Get it removed and the roof surface beneath checked out.

Gutters and pipes allow rainwater, hail and snow to flow away from your roof and the foundations of your house. Inspect them regularly.

If you can see that your gutters or pipes have become blocked or damaged, this can mean that water cannot escape from your roof and pooling water can cause leaks. Unblocking gutters and pipes is a pretty simple job that can save your roof from a lot of costly damage.

If your roof is poorly insulated and ventilated, moisture and condensation can build up in your loft space. This can cause the wood to rot and roofing materials to deteriorate.

If ice forms on the edge of your roof in winter and there are significant variations in temperature in your loft space, it’s likely that you need to improve its insulation and ventilation.

Fixings, such as the nails and screws that hold your roofing materials in place, can become loose over time.

Check for loose or rusted fixings and have them replaced.

Before beginning roof repairs, you want to ensure that the work will be done correctly and safely.

Ensure that your roofing contractor follows all the safety regulations for working at height and uses the latest roof repair products that comply with building regulations.

It’s crucial that high-quality roof repair products are used to ensure that your roof stays on top form for as long as possible. A high-quality flat roof sealant must be used for a flat roof repair, for example, to guarantee its durability.

Roofing materials that best suit your local climate should also be used. UV-resistant materials protect against sun damage, for instance, and, if you live in area where heavy snowfall is relatively common, you will need to use roofing materials that can support high loads.

• Planning and logistics:

  Efficient organisation reduces the time needed to complete roof repairs and makes mistakes less likely.

  • If possible, avoid having work done in rainy or very cold weather.
  • Make sure that your roofing materials are delivered in good time.
  • Ask your roofing contractor to give you a realistic work schedule, so that you can plan for when certain areas of your property might be out of bounds. As with any building work, there may also be unexpected interruptions and delays.

Have damaged or missing tiles replaced as soon as you spot them to prevents leaks that could lead to more significant structural damage. Check your roofing felt and have any tears fixed before fitting the new tiles to make sure that your roof remains watertight and meets the necessary quality standards

To minimise damage, it's important that you detect and repair leaks as soon as possible. You may be able to spot the source of a leak by going up in your loft, but sometimes water runs down and penetrates your home quite a way from the source of the leak and it’s difficult to tell where it’s coming in from. A professional roofing contractor should be able to quickly identify the source of your leak and get it fixed in no time.

Structural damage, for example to the framework of your roof, requires special attention.

You may need to reinforce weakened beams or repair damaged rafters, for example.

A professional roofing contractor will be able to assess the extent of any damage and carry out the necessary roof repairs.

These simple steps will help extend the life of your roof and avoid the need for costly roof repairs in the future.

Inspecting your roof at least twice a year can help you identify and address minor issues before they escalate into major problems.

Check every area of your roof inside and out, including the tiles, roof frame, insulation, guttering and downpipes.

Converting your loft will upgrade the quality of your roof, improve the appearance of your home, boost its value and give you a lovely additional living space. A loft conversion can also improve the insulation of your whole home and bring in more natural light.

Prepare for your loft conversion project with our step-by-step guide.

Installing roof windows transforms a gloomy loft into a bright, welcoming and better ventilated space and makes your home more energy efficient.

Carefully plan the type of roof windows you need for your home and where to locate them to maximise the daylight and air coming into your loft space.