Damp and Roofing

As your property’s main barrier against severe weather conditions, it’s essential that your roof is well-maintained. This is because a damaged roof can allow water ingress, which can be detrimental to your home’s structure, resulting in the destruction of your equipment and assets. Regardless of your roof covering, as roofers in Leeds, we always recommend organising a yearly inspection, as you’re often unaware of roofing issues until it’s too late. A damaged roof can leave your home vulnerable to an array of issues, especially damp problems. Read on to discover the signs and types of roof damage, as well as the solutions.

Signs of Damp from Water Ingress

Damp isn’t always recognisable, particularly if it sits within the rafters of your property or the cavity walls. In many cases, it can take months and even years to identify damp problems in your home. By this point, the damp will likely have caused extensive structural damage to the building’s fabric. However, a musty smell is typically the first thing you recognise. Therefore, if your property has that distinctive fusty smell, don’t delay in taking action.

Aside from this odour, other signs of damp caused by a damaged roof include:

· Wet or damp roofing timbers

· Mould developing in corners or on edges

· Damp patches on the underside of the roofing felt

· Dampness in the ceiling and tide marks at the top of the walls

Tile Issues

It goes without saying that a cracked or damaged roof tile is penetrable since water can seep through the smallest of gaps. As soon as you notice a damaged or missing roof tile, the issue must be resolved as a matter of urgency. Not only do these defects often result in damp problems, but they can also cause leaks in your property. So, if you’re wondering, will my roof leak with missing ridge tiles? It almost certainly will.

Felt or Membrane Issues

When it comes to roof installation, a layer of felt will be laid under the tiles. The purpose of this roof felt patch is to direct any water that manages to seep through the tiles into the gutters. Since this layer is shielded by the tiles, it shouldn’t incur too much damage; however, it can sometimes disintegrate around the eaves. From this, water can often find a passage into your home, and this type of leak isn’t usually recognised in the early stages. After some time, you may notice a damp patch forming on your walls or ceiling.

Guttering Issues

The purpose of your guttering is to carry rainwater from your roof to the drainage pipes, and a clogged gutter can result in significant damp problems. This is because a leaky gutter allows water to collect on exterior walls, which can cause the pointing to deteriorate over time. Therefore, keeping your gutters clear is one of the simplest things you can do to prevent damp issues from presenting themselves.

Pointing Issues

Pointing along your roof’s ridge and around the chimney breast are some of the most susceptible areas to cracking. Once pointing cracks, it can be penetrated by water, which can result in vital surfaces getting wet, not only resulting in damp issues but expensive structural issues, too. As a result, problems with the pointing should be amended as soon as possible, preferably when the weather is dry and warm. These amendments should come in the form of new pointing; unfortunately, it’s not as simple as filling in the cracks.

Solutions for Damp and Damaged Roofs

If you’re concerned about your roof’s well-being, you should first get your roof professionally assessed to obtain a clearer picture of your roof’s condition. A professional roofer will be able to determine the extent of damage, repair costs, and how much time the repairs will take.

In some cases, they may remove the roof immediately in order to inhibit further deterioration from occurring. Most commonly, they’ll be able to replace flashing or tiles to waterproof a specific area.

As previously mentioned, indications of a damp roof aren’t something that should be ignored. Damp problems will never improve on their own; instead, they will only get worse over time. Despite this, there are measures you can take to limit the damage being done to your roof, including:

· Applying temporary repairs to facilitate the drying of the roof

· Checking drainpipes and guttering

· Applying anti-mould products

· Improving ventilation

Damp Proof Your Roof with Leeds & District Roofing LTD.

The structural integrity of your roof is essential to your property’s well-being. From roof surveys to roof repairs, we offer an array of services to ensure that your roof is well maintained. If you’re concerned about the condition of your roof, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can to arrange a site visit.