It is a fact that over time many older properties will develop issues with the roof. This is a common issue as roofing materials deteriorate due to the elements so if you own an older property or are considering buying one it is important to check that the roof is in good repair. If roofs are left to deteriorate it can result in costly repairs being needed so it is important to repair and damage or wear as quickly as possible. This may mean replacing broken tiles and repairing damaged or missing flashing from under the tiles.

Examining a roof on a property can be difficult without specialist equipment and it may be necessary to ask a neighbour whether you could view the roof from their garden so that you can get a clearer view. Pay particular attention to the ridge and hip tiles as the cement that holds them in place deteriorates over time, but it is usually quite easy to see if these tiles are missing.

As well as examining the outside of the roof it is important to look at the underside of the roof in the loft for any signs of wear or evidence of water ingress. Hopefully, any problems can be addressed before further damage to walls and ceilings of the rooms occur.

When looking for a roofing company you need to try and find one that is reliable and that know exactly what they are doing. You may be approached on your doorstep from time to time by someone who asks if you have any roofing work that needs doing. Sometimes these people work for a larger organisation and other times they are self-employed. IT is up to you to check that they have the experience necessary to carry out any roofing job you give them. Never agree and pay any money on the doorstep, always ask for a quote and then give yourself time to do some research before agreeing. If they are part of a company, you should be able to find a website for them or possibly social media profiles. These will often have reviews on. You could also ask on any of the social media local groups to see if anyone has used them before. If you are in doubt then it may be better to go to a company that you know have a good reputation. Sometimes people use someone that they have never heard of before and then after the work is done, if a problem develops, they have no way of getting back in touch with them to ask them to come and rectify it.

IF you are considering having a new roof installed you may want to try and put it on hold until the spring / summer time. Not only can new roofs be expensive (which is the lats thing anyone wants in the run up to Christmas) but they can also be a bit of a nightmare to complete if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Roofing work may not be able to be completed if there is heave rain, wind or snow. This is more and more likely as we head in to winter and you may find that the roofing company are able to start your project but not finish it due to a change in the weather. This can be very disruptive and can make it hard to keep your home warm if part of the roof has been removed and replaces with plastic sheeting.

Waiting until spring or summer will often mean you are likely to run in to less problems, but having said that if you are ok with take a bit of a risk and understanding that it may take longer then you thought, then you can often secure yourself a great price as roofers are usually in need of work this time or year and so will offer you a special deal.

If you suddenly find yourself with major problems with the roof of your property many people hope that they will be able to claim on their house insurance but unfortunately many house insurance policies only cover damage due to weather events or an accident for example if a tree falls on the roof not for general wear and tear. It is important to remember however that any internal damage that is caused by the roof leaking is covered under most household policies.

It is important to keep the roof in good repair as not only will it minimise the risk of problems with the roof but also in the event of a claim on the policy the assessor will be able to see that the roof has been adequately maintained not left in disrepair. Keep evidence of any remedial work that has been carried out on the roof in the form of receipts and photographs.

Once the roof damage has been assessed it is important to get the repairs completed promptly to avoid further damage to the interior of the property. The insurance company may have their own contractors who can arrange the necessary repairs to be carried out as soon as possible.

One of the most important parts of any building is the roof as a roof that lets in rainwater can cause a number of issues with the rest of the property such as damp and mould therefore when you buy a new property it is vitally important that the integrity of the roof area is checked before you buy. This is especially pertinent if the property is an older one or has been empty for a period of time. Should the roof and guttering on a house be damaged and rainwater is able to enter, it can cause extensive damage to the interior of the property which may result in expensive repairs being needed.

It is a sensible idea to employ a surveyor who should be able to identify any major problems with the roof and give you an idea of the work needed to rectify any issues. A reputable builder and roofer will be able to give an estimate for the cost of repairing or even in some cases replacing the roof so this can be reflected in the value of the property.

Should the whole roof need replacing rather than simply replacing broken tiles it may be a worthwhile investment as it can prevent further problems in the future.

So many people have to deal with leaking roofs day in day out and often we put the repairs off until it becomes so bad, we have no other option. It may be that your roof only leaks during serve weather or when the rain is blowing in a certain direction.

Delaying repairs may mean that it ends up costing you more as more damage has been done or the repair is now irreparable.

When it comes to leaks on older roofs you do need to think carefully as to if it is worth repairing the roof or whether you are better to replace it. Replacing a roof will cost more but you often get a guarantee with it so if you find you are having to repair the roof more often then over time the cots of replacing it will probably work out financially better.

If your roof contains asbestos then you will need to factor this in to the cost as removing the roof will cost more as it requires specialist equipment and people who are trained to be able to do the job correctly. 

Do not be tempted to skimp on the price of a roof as you may end up paying for it down the line.