At some stage in a pitched roof's life it is going to need more than just minor roof repairs. (See Pitched Roof Problems And Roof Repairs for details on individual repairs). A well constructed pitched roof can last 50 years and longer but if a couple of lead valleys have gone, a few ridge tiles have cracked, some individual tiles or slates have slipped and there are leaks or … [Read more...]

In the days before roofing felt, torching or lime mortar was used on the underside of tiles or slates to keep them in place and to prevent strong winds from getting under the tiles and lifting them. Over the years this torching can crumble and break, normally falling with a thud on the floor of the roof space during the middle of the night! Whilst this may be alarming, unless … [Read more...]

Condensation in roofs has become more of a problem as we introduce more insulation and eliminate draughts in our homes. It is often linked to older style impermeable roofing felt which has been around since the 1930s although breathable membranes, which were introduced in the 1980s, are not immune in some circumstances. Both of these materials perform a number of … [Read more...]

Roofing felt was introduced in the 1930s. It served two main functions. It acted as a protective barrier  to the house before the main roof covering was constructed. It also functioned as a secondary barrier to wind driven rain and snow which penetrated under the roof covering  as well as potential pests like insects and birds. Roof felt is impermeable to water and if … [Read more...]