Think you might need a new flat roof? Here are the signs you need to look for…

A flat roof can often be overlooked until it’s too late, and a quick repair can only do so much for so long.

We aim to explore some of the tale tell signs of when its time to get a new flat roof, and different types of flat roof you may consider.

Here are 5 key signs you may need a new flat roof:

Bubbling and blistering – Bubbling and blistering is a very common problem with flat roofs, often the result of trapped pockets of air and moisture within the roof’s membrane. When the roof’s felt is exposed to excessive heat, this then causes the pockets to expand under the felt, bursting though the felt and causing splits and cracks.

Tears, splits and cracks in the material and even exposed timbers – Visual damage such as tears, splits, cracks and exposed timber is a sure sign you are ready for a new roof. Leaving a flat roof in this state can cause serious damage to the structure of your roof, and risks causing the timbers to rot after over exposure to the elements.

Excessive ponding or pooling on the surface – What causes a pool of water to appear on a flat roof is a process called “ponding”. Ponding occurs when excess waters that is left on a rooftop after a downpour is unable to drain away and remains for 24-48 hours. Small puddles are often nothing to worry about, however large pools of water could cause damage if left untreated. Read our blog about the risks of pooling and when it can become a problem.

Moss and vegetation growth – Otherwise known as organic growth, moss and algae love to grow anywhere which is damp and shaded, making rooftops and gutters the perfect place to grow, particularly if there are overhanging trees nearby. This organic growth on the rooftop will often prevent correct drainage on the rooftop and retain water, causing excessive damage to the rooftop overtime as the water freezes and expands during the winter months. Read our blog about the risks of moss on your rooftop and what you can do to remove it.

Detachment from adjoining walls and upstands – The most important factor to consider when assessing the condition of your flat roof is ensuring the felt of the flat roof is properly chased into adjoining walls and sealed making it watertight. If gaps appear between the felt and the adjoining walls, you will need to consider a new roof rather than a simple repair.

How can my flat roof be replaced?

Traditional flat roof method

Glass fiber or polyester felts are a traditional method which can be laid with traditional pour and roll hot bitumen. This method is no longer used by many roofing contractors due to health and safety risks handling boiling hot bitumen.

Torch on felt is another traditional method, however, do not require pour and roll. Instead the bitumen is already manufactured onto the roll and heated prior to being rolled onto the decking making it much safer.

Newer flat roof methods

Newer methods of laying a flat roof include EPDM Rubber or single ply grp (fibre glass) roof systems.

New systems can cost more than traditional flat roof systems, however typically a contractor will give 5-10 years on a traditional felt roof, but over 20 years + on newer methods such as a EPDM rubber roof or a single ply grp as they are developed with new, more robust technology and materials.

It is always advisable to get a few quotes for different systems when considering replacing your flat roof.

Alternatively, you may consider converting your flat roof into a pitch roof, and speaking to your roof contractor to see if it is possible.

Send in the professionals!

If you need advice on your flat roof, and can’t decide on if you need a replacement or a repair, Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd can help! We can offer a free, no obligation quotation for any upcoming repair or replacement you have.

Tel: 01562 748270
Email: office@kidderminsterroofing.com
Or drop us a message on Facebook!

Clearing gutters and why it is important

Full or blocked gutters can go undetected and if not cleared correctly, can cause a lot of damage to your home.

Here at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd, after over 30 years’ experience in roofing, we have identified a number of reasons why it is important to keep gutters clear in preventing irreversible damage to a home.

What causes a gutter to become blocked?

A gutter or downpipe can become blocked for a number of reasons, including:

Falling leaves – Falling leaves from nearby trees can blow into gutters, where they begin to decompose and become blocked in a gutter or downpipe.
Moss build up– Moss build up on tiles or slates can slip down from the rooftop into the gutter where I can continue to grow and block the gutter or downpipe.
Animal waste – Animal waste such as bird excrement or even deceased birds, rodents or insects can often be the cause of a blockage in a gutter or downpipe.
Nesting birds – A common reason a gutters can block may be the result of nesting birds, however care must be taken to ensure nests are unoccupied before attempts are made to remove the nest as all bird nest are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

What are the risks of a blocked gutter?

A blocked gutter increases risks of leaks and water damage – When a gutter and downpipe becomes blocked the rainwater can no longer drain properly from the rooftop, causing water to overflow and even re-route, which may cause interior as well as exterior damage to your home.

Damage to the foundations – If water is unable to drain from the rooftop correctly and forced to re-route, it may find its way into the foundations of your home and become trapped. Overtime this trapped water can expand and freeze during cold weather causing cracks to appear in the foundations of your home which can cause a lot of structural issues.

Risk of rot – Wherever there is a risk of water damage to a roof, there is a risk to the structural timbers to the roof which if they become damp, risk rotting. Timbers damaged by rot cannot be repaired, and may result in your needing a full replacement which will cost you a lot of money.

Unwanted guests -Blocked gutters make an ideal home for many animals such as a variety of birds, rodents or insects which can cause an unpleasant infestation on a home if not rectified early.

The gutter twisting and losing it’s shape – When a gutter becomes full, water can become trapped in the pipe. During cold weather this trapped water can freeze ans expand causing the gutter to change its shape becoming twisted. Once the gutter has been twisted, the damage is impossible to rectify and water draining from the rooftop will become re-routed and will likely cause water damage to a property. In this case, your gutter would need to be replaced.

Risk of falling – An overloaded gutter can become heavy, and in some cases detach itself from the roof if can no longer handle the weight. A falling gutter could cause a significant amount of damage to property in its path, but could also risk hitting a bystander. A falling gutter can also become costly to you as the home owner as it will require re-fitting, or if the gutter becomes damaged in the fall, would require a replacement.

Send in the professionals

Its important to always ensure your gutters are checked and cleared every spring and autumn to reduce the risk of blockages which left untreated can cause significant damage to your home.

Not only should you ensure the interior of the gutters are cleared, however it is also important to make sure the exterior of the gutter is cleaned regularly to prevent moss from breaking down the gutter’s protective coating causing a discoloration to the gutter.

How can we help?

Need professional advice to help check your gutters? Here at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd, we can provide a free no obligation quotation for any roof maintenance such as gutter maintenance, repair or replacement request. Contact us today to see how we can help with you!
Tel: 01562 748270
Email: office@kidderminsterroofing.com
Or drop us a message on Facebook!

Birds Nesting In Roof Eaves

A common question we are asked at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd, is how to stop birds nesting in roof eaves on a house. Customers often complain about noisy birds in their roof eaves and ask if they can remove the nests.

The fact is that it is illegal to remove nesting birds once they have settled, however there are ways to prevent birds nesting in roof eaves the following year, provided the correct work is done during the months that birds are no longer nesting.

We aim to explore why birds may nest in your roof eave as well as explore different ways your might prevent birds from nesting in your roof eaves in the future.

Why do birds nest in roof eaves

According to the RSPB rooftops are vital sanctuaries for a lot of birds due to the loss of a lot of natural nest sites.

Birds that commonly nest on rooftops include:

House Sparrows.
Starlings.
Swifts.
Swallows.
Blue tits/Great Tits.
Jackdaws.

Why nests cannot be disturbed or removed

It is illegal to disturb or remove nesting birds from roof eaves once they have settled under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. This includes removing or blocking a nest’s access. Nests must be left with access until the young have had chance to develop and leave the nest.

The reason for this is conservation. The RSPB have identified many of these rooftop nesting birds are in decline. Swifts have declined with Starlings and House Sparrows now red listed, and House Martins and Swallows now amber listed.

When will I be able to have work done on my roof?

If you require work to be done on your roof that would risk disturbing a bird’s nest, you will have to wait to have the work done in the winter months when birds are no longer nesting (ideally between October and February).

This may be frustrating for both yourself and the client, however legally it is the correct thing to do.

What if I don’t have a choice?

You should always avoid roofing project if you are aware of birds nesting in a roof, however often, bird nests go undetected until major roofing projects or renovation projects begin.

If this happens and the roof cannot go untouched until the young have left the nest, one option recommended by the RSPB is to make an artificial nest box for Starlings or Sparrows by cutting a four-litre ice cream tub.

See the RSPB website for advice on building an artificial nest box.

Ways to discourage birds nesting in roof eaves

There are many recommendations you can help prevent birds nesting in your roof eaves in the future, such as:

Keeping on top of roof maintenance, ensuring to have your roof checked each winter by a professional roofer, (between October and February), ensuring to clean out and seal any holes or gaps as appropriate, to reduce the risk of birds entering to nest or becoming trapped.
Putting out bird houses, providing alternative nesting spaces for birds. By placing bird houses around your garden, you can create safe spaces for birds to nest year after year.

Get in the professional
Need professional advice to help prevent birds nesting in your roof? Here at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd, we can provide a free no obligation quotation for any roof maintenance, repair or re-roof request. Contact us today to see how we can help with you!
Tel: 01562 748270
Email: office@kidderminsterroofing.com
Or drop us a message on Facebook!