5 Signs You Need to Hire a Professional Roofer

Spring is here and there’s no better time to inspect your roof and get ready for all the temperamental weather that the year will surely throw at you. Including torrential rainfall, heavy winds and the hottest summer in recent memory.

It’s important then, to know what to keep an eye out for so you can be sure your roof will be able to weather the coming storm. Keep in mind, most roofs are designed to last around 30 years. After this point, repairs will become essential.

Here’s 5 simple signs to keep a weather eye on.

1. Leaks & Damp

By far and away the most obvious (and potentially most harmful) signs is damp in your ceiling/walls or leaks. This will indicate that your roof tiles/slates are damaged or missing entirely and will require immediate attention.

If left alone, the damp will spread not only spread but can damage the structural integrity of your roof. If this risk of a collapse wasn’t serious enough, damp is also the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. Both of which can trigger respiratory infections or worse.

If you spot a leak, the first course of action is to prevent any unnecessary damage. This means putting a bucket or similar container under the source. Keep your furniture free and clear of the affected area and soak up any water that has already spread across your floor.

 If your ceiling has a dark or bubbling spot where water may be pooling, consider poking a hole to let the water drain and release any strain your ceiling may be under (take care to consult with a professional before doing this).

Finally, call your roofer. Even if you don’t yet know the source of the leak, getting a professional there ASAP is the best most important job you have. They will be able to identify the source of the problem and quote for a repair.

2. Colder Than Normal

Your roof plays a big role in your home’s thermal efficiency. With as much as 25% of the heat escaping through the roof, your insulation needs to be in peak performance. If it is damaged, missing or otherwise not slowing down this heat, getting it replaced will make the difference for your energy bills going forward.

Other reasons for this unexpected hike in your bills could be broken seals or even holes in your roof making t easier for hot air to escape. Either way, you will need to get a roofer to take a closer look to know for sure. If you haven’t considered replacing your loft insulation before, this is also an ideal time to do so.

Natural alternatives, such as sheep’s wool are becoming incredibly popular – being easy to fit yourself and completely safe to handle. Of course, foils and thinner PIR boards are also excellent choices, particularly in converted lofts with less space.

3. Stuffy & Hot

When summer comes knocking you may find that you have the opposite problem, with your roof providing little protection from the sweltering temperatures. Of course, this could also be because your insulation is underperforming but that’s only one of a number of potential causes.

Poor ventilation is another one. Whether it be your soffit vents, tiles vents, or eaves, a blocked or damaged vent will prevent proper airflow, making it harder for hot moist air to escape and for fresh, clean air to get in. Beyond a musty smell, this environment also makes damp and mould far more likely.

Whilst predominantly one of a number of symptoms for older roofs falling into disrepair, poor ventilation is all too common in newer roofs as well. If too many of your vents are damaged after all, it can cause your whole ventilation system to fail.

If you find that your summers are unbearable hot or notice an unusual musty smell, particularly if this has led to coughing or other flu-like symptoms, calling a roofer to take a closer look at your vents is the best course of action.

4. Excess Light

A far easier symptom to spot, damaged or missing tiles will naturally provide ample room for a beam of light to invade your loft. We suggest getting up and inspecting the space above your ceiling at some point this spring during the day to check for this (as well as other signs of damage).

If you’ve spotted this and have not noticed any signs of a leak yet, you’re in luck. This means you spotted the problem early and can prepare. Call a roofer ASAP, order some new tiles and with any luck you’ll be able to get the covering repaired before any more extensive damage occurs. Of course, remember to keep a bucket handy as well just in case it rains.

5. Sagging Roof

Now, we hope it never gets to this point, but the final sign to be wary of is a sagging roof. This means that the beams supporting your roof deck are comprised. Either damaged or, more likely, rotting.

Before this point you will have likely also spotted signs of damp or leaking, however, if the building has been unoccupied for some time, you may not have had the chance to get them repaired. 

Make no mistake sagging is the sign of a roof that is not longed for this world. To avoid a total collapse, it is imperative that you employ a roofer to repair the damage, install new beams and reduce whatever weight caused the problem initially – whether that be moss built up or debris.

If you leave it too long and are forced to replace your entire roof, you could be looking at anywhere between £7000 - £17,000 depending on whether you’ve for a hip or gable roof.

If you have any more questions about the state of your roof or need a hand picking out the best tiles or insulation to make a repair, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact our award-winning customer service team on 01295 565565 or using the handy live chat below.