Roof Repair Costs

Like with many things, roofs will inevitably need repair (and on occasion, replacements), and the downside of this is that roof repairs can be costly when not researched properly. There are a variety of roof repairs that may need to be analysed and outlined in order to fully understand the core problem of the repairs. 

For example, replacing a feature of the roof such as the tiles can often start at £200 on average, while lead flashing repairs can cost around £250 per metre. 

The cost can be highly dependent on the type of damage that happens within or around your roof, and this blog will outline the different types of damage that your roof can endure, the cost of repairs and the ways you can mitigate the damage in order to save money.

What Causes Roof Damage? 

There are 3 main causes of roof damage that can severely break parts of your roof. 

Extreme Weather Conditions 
Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains, storms, heavy winds and snow is something we cannot control, and can gradually damage your roof over time. The damage can come from natural causes or even debris (such as tree branches or other debris) that the wind carries around. Heavy rain can also contribute to this, as leaking roofs are a common sign for a damaged interior within your roof.
 

Age
Like with a lot of things, a roof will eventually show signs of tear and wear. It’s mostly common that roofs can stay standing for 10 to 15 years if not damaged severely. However, roofs can also age which means that the integral structure of a roof can disintegrate over time. 
 

Poor Installation 
Householders should consult professional roofers when installing a roof, as poor installation can be a massive factor in determining your roof’s lifespan. Roofs are in need of constant maintenance, and it’s important to consistently check your roof for cracks and leaks for further damage.

What Can Happen If Your Roof Is Damaged

Failing to look after your damaged roof can lead to damage to your own home. The effects can vary heavily, but simple damage such as a leak or crack can also damage the insulation, making your home colder or let the water run through your roof and into your home.

Signs Of A Damaged Roof

There are many signs that a roof is damaged. By paying attention to these signs, you can save yourself some money by watching out and being prepared to care for these signs.

Ceiling Stains

Ceiling stains can be indicated through water stains that show up on your ceiling. These stains are typically described as brownish (or greyish) coloured, and tells you that there is probably a leaky roof on the other side. 

Seeking out the cause of the leak can be a difficult task and can often prove the most complex part of fixing the problem. It should be noted that fixing this damage should be a priority among other things as failure to fix this impairment as soon as possible can lead to bigger problems such as mould, destroyed insulation, and more.

Cost

The typical cost of repairs will depend on the number of patches on your ceiling. On average, you can expect to spend around £15 per patch. 
 

Damaged Shingles

Shingles are simply tiles found on the top of your roof. The main purposes of these shingles are to ensure water drops down from the roof of your home, which also ensures fewer leaks coming from the top of your house! A broken shingle is essentially a leak about to happen. 

Cost

A professional tile replacement tends to be around £150 or more. This also depends on the number of tiles that need to be replaced!

Mold

Mould can grow within the interior of your roof whenever moisture can’t escape, meaning that in rainy and humid weather. Mould grows during these times because of algae and can take hold/to grow quickly on your roof if not properly maintained.  

Cost 

Depending on where the mould is, the price can cost up to £800 if the mould has spread severely. 
 

Rust

Rust can spread quite fast (almost as fast as mould), and when rust spreads, it can cause a lot of damage that can affect your home in a severe way. Rust often shows itself when certain features of your roof begin to corrode (this could be from gutters to other materials), creating unwanted holes in your roof. 
 

Cost

Rust is not as expensive to remove as the other entries, but the prices can vary depending on the extent of the damage - going up as high as £1600 for larger-scale rust removals, or £16 for small-scale repairs.
 

What Can I Do To Prevent These?

Roof repairs can be a relatively expensive investment. Luckily, roof damage can be preventable once you know how to properly maintain your roof. If you need a roof repair, the worst course of action is to delay repairs or neglect further maintenance until the damage grows worse. 

We have outlined 5 of the most effective methods that homeowners can use: 

Investigate your attic
If you have an attic on top of your home, it’s important to thoroughly examine this area to prevent roof damage. While you are investigating your attic, look for any stains, discolouration on any plywood and the state of the beams of the attic floor. Identifying any defects regarding these features can help you prevent any potential damage to your roof. 
 

Clean your gutters
Cleaning your gutters can help dispel water which can prevent greater issues such as water saturation, and most importantly, leaks that lead to rotting wood and mould. The task can be time-consuming and unpleasant, but the payoff of less damage to your roof is worth the price.
 

Prepare for any potential harsh weather conditions
To better protect your roof from harsh weather conditions, you must look into preparing for conditions that can damage your roof. This could be from obtaining shingles along the eaves, to adding roof cement underneath shingle tabs.
 

Clear any snow
Snow in the UK can be arguably rare, which makes preparing for snow difficult for each resident. However, snow can be heavy for your home which can increase the risk of your roof collapsing. So with this, we highly recommend your clear any and every snow that piles up on top of your roof.
 

Inspect any defects
Extending the life of your roof comes down to taking immediate action once you identify a problem. Watch for any alterations on your roof, such as any cracks, mould, or anything that looks out of place. 
Thinking of ways to optimise your roof? UK Flat Roofing holds a variety of roofing supplies to ensure that your roof is at its best. Browse through our bespoke GRP roofing or Liquid roofing systems to learn more.