URL Source: https://redbrickproperties.co.uk/news/posts/5-common-roofing-problems
Published Time: 2022-03-01T17:00:22+00:00
Markdown Content:
5 Common Roofing Issues
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Ever wondered where those leaks come from? This blog highlights a few of the most common roofing issues we encounter at Redbrick Properties, and how we use our drone to identify how to repair roofing problems. A drone is also a great way of checking that our roofers have carried out roofing repairs correctly, for our landlords.
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5 Common Roofing Issues
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As a landlord, your rental property’s roof is the first line of defence against what can often be some very adverse weather conditions. And, as many of us have experienced, a problem with a roof can lead to a very expensive repair.
Here are the top **5 common roofing issues** we experience here at Redbrick Properties.
Pooling Water
Pooling water is often defined in the roofing industry as water that remains on the roof for longer than 48 hours after it has rained.
Flat roofs are prone to having problems, the life expectancy of a flat roof can be as short as 10 years. A common sign that a flat roof is coming to the end of its lifespan is when puddles of water start appearing on the roof. More modern and popular alternatives are rubber flat roofs that are less prone to problems than bitumen felt roofs.
Pooling water on a flat roof can cause various issues such as damaging leaks, and can also reduce the performance and life of the flat roof membrane.
Lead Flashing
Lead flashing is used to protect against weather and the ingress of water. Lead roof flashing is an important component of any roofing structure and chimney flashing is used to waterproof the joint between the chimney and the main roof.
Over many years the lead flashing can deteriorate and come loose. This can lead to rainwater seeping through the joints which commonly appears as moisture and brown plaster staining around the chimney breast in the attic rooms.
Once this is diagnosed and fixed, it must be left for many weeks to ensure it has completely dried, prior to any redecoration.
Clogged Gutters
Blocked gutter problems are all too common, so it is important to carry out regular cleaning, as they can get blocked with broken slates, tiles, moss, lichen and leaves. Believe it of not, they can even get blocked with wildlife such as birds and rodents.
What happens if gutters are blocked? In worse case scenarios, blocked and leaking gutters can cause the soil to erode next to the foundations of the house, which can cause subsidence.
Can blocked getters cause roof leaks? Absolutely! Failure to clean the gutters can lead to blockages therefore gutters overflowing and causing water to penetrate through the walls in the house. Some more common problems caused by blocked gutters include damp, mould & bacteria, damage to walls ceilings and insulation, and wood rot.
Damaged Roof Tiles
How do roof tiles become damaged? Over time, roof tiles take a battering from adverse weather conditions so it is no surprise that some will become damaged and come loose.
Slipped or broken tiles can cause holes to appear in the roof where rainwater may enter. This can cause damage to the plasterwork inside the property and potentially rot the timber structure. The most common cause of slipped slates is when the nail has rusted and eventually perished over many decades.
Does moss damage roof tiles? Moss on roof tiles can also be a problem, as moss retains water, and in freezing conditions it can cause roof tiles to crack.
Uncapped or Unventilated Chimney Pots
Chimney damp is a reasonably common problem and the signs of chimney damp are similar to that of normal damp. Chimney flues need to be able to breathe, otherwise, condensation can build up inside the flue. This commonly appears as damp patches on the face of the chimney breasts inside the house and staining on other walls near the chimney breast.
Another problem with open chimney flues is that the chimney pots are left open to the elements thereby rainwater enters the chimney flue. This also shows up as damp patches and staining on the chimney breast.
To overcome these problems ventilated caps must be fitted to the top of chimney pots to allow the flue to breathe while also preventing rainwater from entering.
Latest Articles
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Quality Control
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Until now, without actually climbing onto a roof, we have had to rely on the integrity of our roofing contractors to ensure they have completed a roofing repair correctly.
Now, using our drone, we can carry out a quality control check to ensure a roofing contractor has indeed done what it says on their invoice.
Whether it’s fiberglass roofing problems, onduline roofing problems, breathable roofing felt problems, or any roofing problems at all, we can ensure once the work has been carried out by a responsible roofer, their work is of the highest standard.
Have a Roofing Issue?
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Don’t worry! One of our experienced Property Managers can pop by to inspect your roof and let you know how to best resolve the probelm. Contact us today to see how we can help you…
