The roof and guttering must be kept in a good condition to enable a property to remain weatherproof.
Ineffective covering can lead to expensive work to the underlying timbers and any decorative
finishes, which will deteriorate rapidly in damp conditions.
Different roof coverings have
varying life spans. The materials used, the quality of the workmanship and the exposure to the
elements will all be contributing factors to the effective life of the roof. There are some that
last for a hundred years or more, while others deteriorate after 40 years, some are only guaranteed
for 20 years reliable cover. You may only realise that a repair is needed on the roof when ceiling
stains are noticed in a room after rainfall. This indicates that water is leaking into the roof
space. Always repair damage as soon as possible to stop further rainfall damaging the fabric of the
house.
Chimney stacks should be checked regularly for any potential problems. By keeping an eye on their
condition or change of condition, repairs can be carried out as soon as they are required, preventing
further dampness penetrating.
Flashing is used around the base of the stack to seal and weatherproof the stack to the roof surface.
It is also used where a roof meets a wall or around a dormer window. It can be a mortar, tiled or
metal flashing, such as lead, zinc or copper. Metal flashing is available in sections, made for use
around a chimney stack or can be purchased in rolls, of varying widths and materials.
The purpose of guttering is to efficiently channel rain water from the roof towards a downpipe which
in turn carries it down to ground level and then into the drainage system. This system helps to stop
the walls of the house becoming saturated and causing problems with dampness.
The roof and guttering must be kept in a good condition to enable a property to remain weatherproof.
Ineffective covering can lead to expensive work to the underlying timbers and any decorative
finishes, which will deteriorate rapidly in damp conditions.
Chimney stacks should be checked regularly for any potential problems. By keeping an eye on their
condition or change of condition, repairs can be carried out as soon as they are required, preventing
further dampness penetrating.
The purpose of guttering is to efficiently channel rain water from the roof towards a downpipe which
in turn carries it down to ground level and then into the drainage system. This system helps to stop
the walls of the house becoming saturated and causing problems with dampness.
