The roof and guttering must be kept in a good condition to enable a
property to remain weatherproof. Ineffective covering can lead to
expensive work to the underlying timbers and any decorative finishes,
which will deteriorate rapidly in damp conditions.
Different roof coverings have varying life spans. The materials used,
the quality of the workmanship and the exposure to the elements will all
be contributing factors to the effective life of the roof. There are
some that last for a hundred years or more, while others deteriorate
after 40 years, some are only guaranteed for 20 years reliable cover.
You may only realise that a repair is needed on the roof when ceiling
stains are noticed in a room after rainfall. This indicates that water
is leaking into the roof space. Always repair damage as soon as possible
to stop further rainfall damaging the fabric of the house.
Chimney stacks should be checked regularly for any potential problems.
By keeping an eye on their condition or change of condition, repairs can
be carried out as soon as they are required, preventing further dampness
penetrating.
Flashing is used around the base of the stack to seal and weatherproof
the stack to the roof surface. It is also used where a roof meets a wall
or around a dormer window. It can be a mortar, tiled or metal flashing,
such as lead, zinc or copper. Metal flashing is available in sections,
made for use around a chimney stack or can be purchased in rolls, of
varying widths and materials.
The purpose of guttering is to efficiently channel rain water from the
roof towards a downpipe which in turn carries it down to ground level
and then into the drainage system. This system helps to stop the walls
of the house becoming saturated and causing problems with
dampness.
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