Identify your roof damage
If you have noticed a leak appear after it rains, this could be due to a variety of problems, ranging from the age of the roof, to an unfinished roof repair, to a badly-fitted roof. The aim of this article is to help you identify the problem and is specifically created using advice from our Pontefract roofers.
Look for things that can damage your roof
These include bad storms, hail stones, ice, strong winds and of course falling objects. Many different circumstances can occur throughout the year that could have adverse effects on the state of your roof. So, in any of these situations, it would be advisable to check your roof for signs of damage in the following ways:
1. Look for obvious signs of water damage
Water spots, wet insulation, cracking paint and damp-looking framework are all physical signs of water damage that strongly imply the presence of a serious leak, so it we would strongly advise calling an expert in roof repairs to fix the problem right away to avoid further damage from occurring.
2. Look for signs of wind damage
Wind damage is much more obvious because of the severity of its appearance. Instead going through the arduous process of finding a leak, wind damage could possibly be apparent from absence or misshaping of entire rows of shingles or slate. Unless you know how to correctly install these items, you should contact a roofer for help.
3. Bring a ladder
Despite the fact that much of the roofing damage will be evident from the ground, it will occasionally be necessary to climb up to inspect the roof more closely. Again, if you’ve never had to deal with a problem like this before, we would recommend contacting a specialist for help.
Always exercise caution when using a ladder and never try and fix the problem during wet or icy weather. This is because the ladder will be more dangerous and the roof itself will be more slippery.
Keep in mind that tile roofs are the most vulnerable to damage, being susceptible to chips and breakage( especially when things like tree branches fall on top of them), as well as to hail damage.
If you live in Pontefract and found any of the aforementioned damage to your roof, Pontefact Roofs are here to help, so call now on 01977 220016.
It is important to check your gutters
The importance of checking your gutters has always been stressed by roofers but they are still thousands of people in the Pontefract area that still do not find time, or get them professionally check each year.
Gutters become blocked with leaves, rubbish and rubble and during periods of unsettled weather can cause damage to the roof.
In 2013, a company contacted us after a period of unsettled weather had caused water, which had been tipping out of their roof gutters, to gain access to the building and damage over £20,000 worth of stock. Some of those items that were damaged included electrical products and the main electric fuse board was positioned right under the major leakage point.
Upon surveying the roof, our Pontefract roofers discovered that the cause of the problem was the guttering. Debris, leaves and rubbish had built up over a period of months and years, so much so, that it had caused a blockage which prevented water from escaping.
Like most people however, this could not been seen and they did not realise there was a problem until it was too late. Luckily however, our team of roofers were on hand to clear the problem using water jets and by hand, as well as repairing the damp patches.
This is one example of how it can go catastrophically wrong and it could have been prevented. For only £300, we offer regular property maintenance where we check your gutters, roof tiles and much more and sort out any problems there and then. This can then solve the problem caused by blocked gutters which lead to blockages which cause the water to overflow.
So if you live in the Pontefract area, and are worried about your guttering or the damage a blockage could cause, please call 01977 220016.
Dealing with damp emanating from your roof
You will know doubt be aware that structural damp can be the cause of a great of secondary damage to a house which can quite literally take hold before you suspect a thing. Damp is quite often caused by leaks in inadequately maintained roofs and guttering.
Obvious signs of damp from your roof
Damp often manifests itself in blotchy patches on walls, wet and crumbling plaster, as well as in the presence of fungus that will be clearly visible and somewhat unsightly. In extreme cases, excess water will be present on the surface of the walls.
This type of leak can be caused by loose or absent roof tiles and overflowing guttering, but you should bear in mind that it can also be caused by poorly-fitted windows and doors.
A leak coming from the roof will very often cause ceilings to be stained, and is caused by the leaking downpipe in the roof. This dark–coloured staining is known as mildew, which unless treated will continue to seep through and be visible even if covered by multiple coats of regular emulsion paint.
How to fix the problem of roof-derived damp
Make sure that the root cause of the water leak is determined and fixed accordingly to help prevent any further problems. This will mean mending any faults in the structure of the roof, including replacing missing or damaged tiles and doing the same with faulty or damaged guttering or drainpipes.
To remove mildew, gently scrape the fungus from the ceiling and walls and then carefully sand down the affected area. Be sure to wear protective goggles to avoid getting any dust or other detritus in your eyes.
Then apply two coats of stain block, which comes in the form of paint or aerosol, and which despite being not especially eco-friendly, will provide an impermeable layer of protection for your ceiling from mildew. Once the stain block has dried after about ten minutes, you should apply a coat of regular emulsion and you will hopefully be damp-free from then on.
If you live in Pontefract and would like further advice on the issue of roof-derived damp in your home, please don’t hesitate to call DPR Roofing Services on 01977 220016.
Pontefract roofers urge homeowners to be aware
Leading Pontefract Roofers DPR are urging homeowners to be aware of rouge roofers after Trading standards officers warned households.
Apparently, there has been an increase in the number of people who have been calling at homeowner’s doors offering building work to repair roofs and other general repairs.
Apparently the recent bad weather which has hit the Yorkshire region, including areas of Pontefract, has meant home owners are looking for reassurances that their roof is ok, the perfect time for rogue traders to strike.
Officers in the Yorkshire and Humber region have already followed up on a number of complaints regarding rogue traders. The worst currently in the area is for roof repairs to ‘missing’ or ‘cracked’ tiles.
If you are approached out of the blue by someone at your door, be very wary. Often rogue traders claim work that needs to be done is urgent, but it doesn’t usually need doing. If you have any misconceptions, always seek a second opinion from a reliable tradesman you know of can find in a directory. Pontefract roofers will be happy to come out and check properties for people should they experience a cold call and are unsure what to do.
If you have any suspicions about rogue traders and cold callers, you are advised to call the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506.
Roofers flat out answering repair calls
DPR have been working long hours this week as they attending roofing repair jobs across the Leeds, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Wakefield areas after last week’s horrific storms.
Many homeowners have been ringing the company complaining of damage to their property, with missing tiles and broken gutters the main problems. Missing tiles have in turn lead to families coming to blows with damp patches, which has caused some destruction to the home.
Roof repairs are not always easy in these conditions either as the wind was still strong over the weekend, so our locally trained roofers have had to work effectively to solve the problems., This includes making sure no more damage can happen, and that the roof is watertight before the repair work can be carried out.
As DPR reported last week, the strong winds will find any imperfections in the roof structure, and coupled with driving rain, find any gaps to penetrate through. This week the winds have returned to more usual levels, with less strong gusts, allowing our team to repair the damage.
It is not only homeowners who have had problems however with local schools, businesses, and colleges all having differing levels of problems. Some were forced to shut whilst roof repairs were carried out. Fortunately for some schools this week is half term so roof repair work can be carried out in a safe environment.
Should you have an issue with your roof and still not had it repaired, please call one of our team to arrange for a survey and a repair. A damaged roof could cause problems at any time, so just because the issue might have stopped for now, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen again. It is important to seek professional advice as any water damage could lead to structural problems in the future.
For more information on the work we carry out, please view the roof repair sections on our website.
Yorkshire Churches receive grants to get roofs fixed
Some historically important Churches in the Yorkshire region have received funding to repair their crumbling roofs.
The funding comes from the National Churches trust charity, which are funding the repairs at 45 churches nationally, with six in Yorkshire.
Grade I listed St Martin in Womersley, Doncaster received the most funding of Yorkshires six, with £40,000 going towards urgent roof repairs to their slate roof, roof timbers and drainage. The roof has been in a poor state for over a year and has allowed water into the building and caused unsightly and unhealthy damp patches. The 12th Century Church is one of the most preserved examples of the Victorian Catholic revival in the North of England, and is a significant public building in the area after the local shops, post office and school have all closed since 2000.
Fellow Grade I listed church Epiphany in Gipton received funds to repair areas of the building that are no longer waterproof, whilst Grade II listed St Peter’s Church in Huddersfield can now carry out urgent glazing repairs.
Other roof repairs will take place at Grade II listed St James’s church in Clapham (N. Yorkshire) to repair broken sections of roof and repairs to the tower, whilst St Alban’s Church in Hull is hoping to finally repair their leaking roof after previous repairs could not solve the problem.
The Grant also allows for the final Yorkshire church in Hebden Bridge (Hope Baptist Church) to install new toilets, disabled access and a stair lift.
Historic repairs of this nature are often difficult with sections of the roof being extremely old, however DPR would like to express their delight that many of Yorkshire’s churches will now be water tight again.
Problems with Pontefract Roofs
The recent rain and wind has continued to cause problems to roofs in the Pontefract area with our team of Pontefract roofers busy repairing missing tiles and water damage to roofs in the area.
As we recently reported heavy wind and rain would cause damage, but the scale has only been large in some parts of West Yorkshire, with Pontefract affected badly, but not as bad as some areas in Leeds. Unfortunately, tiles have fallen off roofs and caused internal damage to home with damp patches forming, as well as guttering on some of the biggest commercial buildings in the area coming off.
Fortunately however there are a team of people out there who can help, called the Pontefract roofers. This experienced team are experts in quick roof repairs that get to the root of the problem and prevent it from happening again. From missing tiles to slipped guttering and more damage, this team can provide a comprehensive repair service all over the area, and for a very competitive price.
Not only do they deal with roof repairs, but they can also carry out flat roofing work, new roofs and massive commercial roofing projects, making them valuable assets to the community in Pontefract.
To do this, all have been trained locally with roofing specialists and obtain the highest levels of roofing qualifications. Through the DPR umbrella they also work hard to conform to all the current roofing accreditation regarding health and safety and use the latest techniques to ensure the quality of any roof work.
So should the wind and rain have caused problems to your Pontefract roof at either your home or business property, you do not need to live with the pain anymore as Pontefract roofers are here to help. A simple phone call to one of our team on 01977 220016 can set you on your way and they will respond quickly, ensuring your property is watertight once again.
Providing commercial roof repairs across Yorkshire
DPR are leading commercial roofers across the Yorkshire area, specialising in roof repairs and commercial flat roof repairs.
Over the past twenty years, we have built up a team of experienced roofers who not only work effectively to complete the work in the timescale required, but also adhere to strict roofing laws and guidelines set out by the governing bodies. This not only ensures the high quality of our work, but gives you the peace of mind that your roof, no matter how problematic it might be, will be fixed to the very highest of standards.
To do this, DPR have invested time and money into our workforce, ensuring that they are up to date with legislation changes and that they have the right equipment to do the job. Within our fleet, we have a high access boom which allows us to reach tricky areas as well as some of the largest commercial buildings in the Yorkshire region.
Last year alone, our team of commercial roofing specialists undertook work at Wilco Motorsave, White Rose Packaging, Gresham and many more. These not only put our roofers to the test in terms of challenges but also led them to showcase their skills proactively.
Commercial flat roofs are often a large job, with problems such as leakages and damp caused by many differing problems, such as felt missing, or even excess weight on the liner. Here at DPR we always offer the complete package so that even if there is a leak in one place, should our team feel there will be more, you can get everything sorted at one time. This not only helps you to keep your costs down, but also guarantee that problems such as joins between new and old parts of the roof are not a problem.
So for commercial roofing repairs in and around Yorkshire, consider DPR are our experienced team for your work. We are never too far away with teams covering the North, South, East and West of the region.
Merry Christmas from everyone at DPR
Everyone at DPR Roofing would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Guttering Issues in Yorkshire
Guttering can cause huge issues to properties all over the Yorkshire region, especially in the wet and windy weather like we have had in the last few days.
Blocked gutters, caused by leaves or twigs, prevent water draining away properly and can create pool of water that will damage your roof. This can lead to damp patches forming and on flat roofs especially, puddles of water causing excess weight on the felt.
One way to stop this is to get up and clear out your gutters of any debris, but should this not be a viable option, our professional team of roofers are on hand to carry out the work for you.
During high winds and rain, guttering can also take a battering and might become dislodged from the wall or even bend preventing water from running away. In this situation, professional expertise is need as the guttering will need to be replaced and then re-angled to make sure the water runs towards the direction of the downpipe.
Should your guttering just have lots of water collecting but no obvious debris, a problem may lie in you downpipe. If possible, get a hose or water jet nozzle and feed it up the downpipe, trying to blast apart any of the debris. You will know if this has worked as the water from the gutters will flow down the downpipe and into the drain.
Should there be a major issue resulting in damage to the roof or your property, please do not hastate as it will only get worse during the winter months. Please contact one of our team on 0113 335 0043.