Archive for October, 2008

Should You Call a Professional or Fix Your Roof Yourself?

Posted by Anthony on October 31, 2008
roofing / No Comments

There are some people who just love fixing things around the home and saving money is just one small factor for many DIY enthusiasts.  Most of them love the satisfaction that comes from fixing the home on their own without any assistance.  There are some projects, however, that should be left squarely in the hands of the professionals.  Roof repair can be a daunting undertaking and you should call in a professional to at least determine any damage or problems on your roof.  You can find a roofing contractor in the UK that will help you make sure your roof is in good condition, keeping your family safe.

One area where you will want to call in a professional is the repair and inspection of your chimney.  If you have a working fireplace in your home, you will want to be sure that it is safe and will not cause a fire in your home.  The roofing contractor who you hire can often help you with this important job.  Keeping the chimney clean is also an important consideration when you are using your fireplace frequently as it can be a source of fire in your home if it is not kept in clear working order.  Contact a local roofing contractor in London to find one that can help you keep your chimney and home completely safe from problems.  The inspection of your chimney should occur at least once a year and if you use your chimney more than three times a week, the cleaning should happen at a bare minimum of twice a year.

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How to Hire a London Roofing Contractor

Posted by Anthony on October 20, 2008
roofing / No Comments

When you are hiring someone to work on your roof, you will want to be sure that they are the best in the business.  There are some questions that you should ask every time you are looking for a roofing contractor in the UK.

The first thing that you should do is ask for recommendations from friends and neighbours.  This is not typically something that is done on your home very often, so finding a roofing contractor is not a daily occurrence.  Knowing that your friends or neighbours had a good experience with their London roofing contractor can ensure that you will be hiring someone that is experienced and provides good quality work.

A good roofing contractor will take the time and sit with you and explain all of your options for your roof.  There are companies that will drive past your house and leave you an estimate without ever taking the time to talk to you.  You want to hire someone who gives you choices and explains the process to you so you know what to expect.  They should also give you some samples of the materials that they will use so that you can make your own choices for your roof.

Price should not be your only factor when you are making your choice of a London roofing contractor.  It is the lowest priced quality bid from an experienced roofing contractor that should get the job.

Finally, go with your instincts when you are discussing your options with the contractor.  You can tell a lot from how the contractor treats you when they are explaining their estimate.  You may not know everything about roofing, but you may be able to tell when a roofing contractor is not experienced or is bluffing their way through the interview.

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Flat Roof Repairs

Posted by Anthony on October 14, 2008
roofing / No Comments

Flat roofs require a lot of regular maintenance to ensure they last a long time and avoid water infiltration. If it is repaired routinely by a professional roofing contractor, you can ensure a long, healthy and dry life for your roof. Flat roofing isn’t typically as glamorous as copper roofing for example but they still require the same levels of TLC to keep them in top shape.

How does a flat roof work?

A flat roof provides a waterproof sheet over a building consisting of multiple layers of hydrophobic materials, over a deck with a vapour barrier between. Flashing intersects the sheet to prevent water infiltration. The water is directed to drains or guttering through a slight pitch of the roof. Roll asphalt is the most durable and most expensive flat roof type available.

How long does it last?

Flat roofs that have copper elements may need them replacing due to holes that develop from acid rain and areas of metal may need to be re-soldered at times.  Flat roofing made with asphalt will typically last around 10 years and is the most durable type of roofing. Because the seems are usually covered with a roofing compound such as ballast which is a mixture of coarse and fine aggregate, it makes it difficult to get to the seams for inspection and repairs.

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Winter Roof Damage - Fix your roof!

Posted by Anthony on October 08, 2008
roofing / No Comments

Will your roof survive this winter, or does it already require some tender loving care from a qualified UK roofing company? A leaking roof is a common ailment suffered by many London homeowners as we do inherently suffer from an especially rainy country. There are many problems that can arise from your roof leaking including mould and mildew, foundation damage and staining.

When you discover a leak in the roof don’t forget to remain calm. It can be easily dealt with if you contact a quality professional to help you. In fact, noticing one  leak is a good thing since you will able to check out the entire roof and ensure you get it all up to scratch before you are woken from rainy weather inside your house.

It is always a good idea to stay on top of your roof repairs, it’s not as expensive as you might think so long as you stay on top of it and fix those leaks when you find them. Leaving your roof un-repaired for too long can cause further and more serious problems, all resulting from wear and tear and thus not covered on your insurance policy. That means if you don’t carry out regular roofing repairs, when your roof does finally give in, you’ll have to foot the very large bill that arises from it.

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