Roof Repairs in Knowle
Leaks after a blow from the south-west, slipped tiles over a bay, a chimney that weeps into the back bedroom. Found, explained and put right by roofers who work the hill every week.
The repairs we do most often in Knowle
Slipped and broken tiles
Usually a nail or batten that has given up rather than the tile itself. We refix with the correct clips or nails, and match the profile so the laps seal properly instead of leaving a gap the wind can lift.
Ridge and hip tiles
Older ridges were bedded in mortar that cracks and washes out over the years. On a hipped semi there is a lot of ridge and hip line. We rebed it, or fit a dry ridge system where that suits the roof better.
Chimney flashings
The joint between a chimney and the roof is where many traced leaks actually start. We replace failed lead with properly chased, stepped flashing rather than smearing mastic over the problem.
Valleys and abutments
Where two roof slopes meet, or a roof runs into a wall, water is concentrated into one line. Lead or GRP valleys that have split or slipped are a common cause of damp in ceilings below.
Bay and porch roofs
Small roofs over bay windows and porches get forgotten until they leak. They are often covered in lead or felt, and the junction with the main wall is the usual weak point.
Earlier patch repairs
A tile of the wrong profile pushed into a gap, or a dab of sealant over a crack, can hold for a season and then fail. We take those out and repair the roof the way it was built.
From your call to a finished repair
You ring or send details
Tell us what you can see from inside and out. A photo from the garden or the street helps us bring the right materials first time.
We look properly
We find where the water is getting in, which is not always above the stain. On a hillside street that can mean checking the slope the weather actually hits.
Written quote
You get a written price for the repair, with what we will do and what we will use. No pressure and no charge for the visit.
Repair and tidy
We do the job, clear up, and show you photos of what was wrong and what we did. Repairs are covered by our written guarantee.
Four honest points before you book a repair
Most leaks are a repair, not a new roof
A single failed flashing or a run of slipped tiles is a repair job. We will tell you plainly if the roof is past repairing, and why, but it is not our starting assumption.
Exposed slopes fail first
Knowle takes its name from a rounded hill. The Met Office notes the strongest winds in this part of the country nearly always come from between south and north-west, so slopes facing that way usually show wear before the sheltered side.
Inside stains travel
Water can run along a batten or a rafter before it drips. The mark on your ceiling is a clue, not the answer, which is why we check the roof itself.
Ask what is being used
A good repair uses matching tiles, proper fixings and lead where lead belongs. Your written quote says which.
Roof repair FAQs
How quickly can you come out?
For a leak or storm damage we aim to be with you the same day where we can. For non-urgent repairs we will agree a time that suits you.
Do you charge to look at the roof?
No. The visit and the written quote are free, and there is no obligation to go ahead.
Can you match my existing tiles?
In most cases, yes. We match profile and colour as closely as we can. Where an exact match is no longer made, we explain the options before we start.
Will I need scaffolding?
Not always. Many small repairs can be done safely with ladders and roof ladders. Chimney work and higher roofs often need a tower or scaffold, and the quote will say so.
Is the repair guaranteed?
Yes. Our work is covered by a written guarantee. See our guarantee page for how it works.
Do you cover streets off the Wells Road?
Yes. We work across Knowle and the surrounding areas, including Totterdown, Brislington, Knowle West, Hengrove and Whitchurch.
Wind direction: Met Office, South West England: climate. Place-name origin: Knowle, from Old English for a rounded hill.
Got a roof problem in Knowle?
Ring us free or send a few details. We will tell you honestly what it needs.