If a section of your roof does not see a great deal of sunlight or overhanging branches from trees obscure the roof surface from the Sun’s rays, you may notice that after time, moss and lichen can build up on the tiles’ surfaces. This can be a problem, as the constant damp nature of the tiles can speed the rate at which they wear. This is especially the case if your roof is covered with asphalt shingles or tiles.

The roots of lichens and mosses can penetrate the upper surface of the tiles on the roof and spread quickly. Lichens don’t usually do as much damage as moss though, so it’s always a good idea to assess whether the roof needs to be cleaned before stating.

If you want to get rid of the lichens or moss on your roof a good place to start is by gently jetting the tiles with a pressure cleaner. In some cases brushing the roof surface is also enough to remove moss. However, any maintenance to the tiles on your roof should always be done with caution as you may do more harm than good if the tiles or shingles are already in a poor state of repair.

Why choose slate?

Slate is a naturally occurring material which is formed over many thousands of years and is mined in large quantities mainly now in the Far East. Scottish slate and Welsh slate is however very desirable and can obtained for your build if this is what you stipulate.

One of the main benefits of slate is that it is so long lasting. Roofs covered in slate thus need little attention and can last for many years before needing any maintenance. Even when the roof needs some work, a roofer will commonly use most of the original slate on the roof with a little of the new product to complement it.

Although lack of maintenance and durability are two of the things slate has to offer, perhaps the best reason to use slate is its looks. Slate’s aesthetic qualities make it one of the most well respected building materials currently available. Slate is available which show blue and green colours and even pink-red hues. Each slate has its own individual characteristics, which when added together only serve to increase the beautiful look of your roof.

Using a pair of binoculars you can quickly look at the general state of the tiling, the flashing on the roof, the condition of the mortar holding the ridge tiles, the pointing around the chimney, the condition of any valleys and also roofing components such as the soffits and bargeboards and the guttering and downspouts. A quick look in your loft is also a good idea to visually check for any leaks.

Keeping on top of your roofing maintenance is always a good idea, as it’ll stop any costly repair bills that you may incur if the roof falls into an unserviceable state of repair. Checking the condition of your roof becomes even more imperative if you have a flat roof or if you live in a part of the UK which sees frequent inclement weather.

Common problems with chimneys include:

Chimney flashing damage - The flashing around your chimney must be in a good state of repair and be bedded in correctly into the chimney mortar. Any flashing that has come away from the chimney is a potential leakage point, so must be dealt with as soon as possible

Chimney mortar damage - Your chimney sees a good deal of weathering over the course of its life and because of this, the mortar between the bricks on your chimney can degrade and become loose. You chimney mortar needs checking to make sure it’s sound on a regular basis.

Chimney pot damage - The sand/cement mix on the top of your chimney which holds the chimney pots in place can deteriorate with time. A roofer need to check this on a regular basis so no leaks can enter your home via this route.

How to identify a roofing problem

Identifying where the problem lies is usually the first port of call for any roof repair. If you have a leak, it’s usually easy to see where this is coming from in the loft. Otherwise you can use a pair of binoculars to look at the roof more closely.

You should try to look over the following parts of your roof:

• The chimney and flashing
• The gutters
• The tiles
• Pitched roof valleys
• The ridge tiles

Things to consider

Most roofing repairs can be completed quickly with the minimum of fuss, especially if you have given the roofer a comprehensive list of the items that need attention. However, in some instances the overall condition of the roof may be such that the roof needs to be completely retiled. Your chosen roofing contractor will be able to discuss this with you.

Using roofing felt

Most people only consider using roofing felt on flat roof extensions, but as technology moves apace, the amount of people using this material on standards roofs is increasing exponentially. Where once roofing felt was deemed to be an inferior roofing material this is most definitely no longer the case.

In the past a roof fitted with roofing felt usually had a life span in the region of 10 years before the felt would need to be replaced. However, the new torch-on roofing felts currently available mean the time between refelting has increased. And now most torch-on roofing felts come with a much longer guarantee, especially when they are used with a torch-on roofing felt underlay.

All a competent installer needs are the right tools to complete the job successfully. However, working on any roof can be extremely dangerous, so if you are in any doubt you should contact a roofing specialist.

One of the most common extensions is a loft extension. A loft extension can give you at least one extra room and in many instances also an extra bathroom or a shower room can also be accommodated into the design.

When you have a loft extension, one way to get the most from the space is to add a dormer extension to the roof. This creates more height in the loft over a greater space and can give the room a larger appearance than just settling for a pitched loft design. A dormer cuts into your roof line and usually has a flat roof and uses shingles to weather proof the exterior.

If you are thinking of adding a loft extension, don’t just settle for adding a couple of Velux windows, why not look at a dormer extension? You may need planning permission, but the extra space will be worth it.

Velux windows come in huge range of styles and designs, ranging from a simple centre opening small window to a huge double window that’s able to be opened from the top or side, creating a balcony space for the homeowner.

The main thing Velux windows bring to the home is of course more light; which can make a home bright and airy. But, in the winter, you might not want the glass on the windows to be exposed. And because of this there is now a huge range of Velux window blinds that you can use to cover your windows. The blinds are made to measure and simply click into place on the window. From roller blinds to Venetian blinds to even blackout blinds, there’s a wide choice available that can be operated easily via the pull of a cord or the flick of a switch.

There are a range of different roofing options

There are quite a few options available when you are looking for a suitable roofing material for your home. Each of these options can be classified depending on their lifespan and the material from which it is made. For example, some materials may last longer but will be more expensive, whereas some materials may be manmade and others will be cut from the ground such as slate.

Some of the available roofing options include:

• Concrete tiles
• Slate
• Wooden shingles
• Metal sheet roofing
• Clay tiles

The most popular method of roofing a home is tiling. Tiles are easy to handle and can be replaced individually if any are damaged, making them a great choice for the homeowner who keeps on top of their roof maintenance.

Water may come into the roof through damaged or faulty flashing, cracked or broken tiles or even through faulty mortar on a side elevation. When you are trying to find the source of a leak, it’s much easier if you can gain access to the roof space. If you can’t do this, the job becomes infinitely more complex.

Assuming you have access to the roof space, it’s first important to find the point at which the drip is leaving the rafters or joists. If the damp patch is at the edge of a room, the water may even be running the whole length of the rafter before coming into contact with the ceiling. If you find a drip, follow the tell-tale damp line back to the point of entry. You will usually see some staining which can help in your investigations.

When you locate the leak, you can take appropriate action to replace the faulty tile or fix the flashing. Or you can even just phone a qualified roofer who’ll use the right roofing supplies to fix the problem.