Norwich Roofers installs new roofs in Stalham and wants every customer to know how to look after one properly once the work is done.
Installing a new roof is a significant outlay. The materials and workmanship that go into a good installation should give you decades of trouble-free performance - but only if the roof is maintained sensibly along the way. Neglect is not dramatic. It is usually small, slow problems: a blocked gutter, a loosened tile, a build-up of moss. Left long enough, each of those small problems becomes an expensive one.
This page covers what to do - and what to look out for - once your new roof is in place. We install new pitched and flat roofs in Stalham and across the Norwich area, and we think the aftercare conversation is just as important as the installation itself.
Understanding what has been installed helps you maintain it correctly. A pitched roof consists of the primary covering (tiles or slates), the batten and counter-batten beneath them, a breathable underlay, the ridge and hip system, valleys, and all the lead flashings at junctions. Each of these has a different lifespan and different maintenance needs.
A flat roof - whether on an extension, garage or outbuilding - consists of the deck, the insulation layer, and the weatherproof membrane on top. Modern EPDM rubber membranes and traditional layered felt systems each behave differently as they age, and knowing which you have tells you what to watch for.
In the first twelve months after a new roof is installed, it is worth carrying out a simple visual check after any significant storm. You are looking for:
A small number of tiles may need minor adjustments after a hard winter in the first year - thermal movement and heavy wind loading sometimes reveals a tile that was not perfectly bedded. This is normal and straightforward to sort if caught early.
Blocked gutters are responsible for more water ingress and more structural damage than most homeowners realise. Leaves, moss and debris build up in gutterlines over the autumn and winter, and when water cannot flow freely it backs up behind fascias, overflows against walls and in some cases forces its way under the eaves course of tiles.
Clearing gutters once a year - ideally in late autumn after the leaves have fallen - is one of the most effective things you can do to protect any roof. Check that downpipes are clear at the same time. A blockage in a downpipe is less obvious than one in a gutter but causes the same problems. Gutter clearance is inexpensive compared with the repairs that blocked gutters eventually cause.
Moss grows on north-facing and shaded roof slopes, and on tiles that are approaching the end of their surface coating's effective life. A small amount of moss is cosmetic. A thick build-up holds moisture against the tile surface, accelerates freeze-thaw damage to the tile face, and can creep under tile laps and disrupt drainage.
The standard treatment is a biocide wash applied by a roofer who can also manually remove heavy growth. Pressure washing is often advertised as a solution but can force water into tile laps and dislodge pointing on ridge and hip tiles. It should be avoided on most pitched roof surfaces. On a new roof, moss growth in the first few years is a sign that the tiles may benefit from a biocide treatment, which is straightforward and inexpensive when done before the growth becomes established.
Lead flashings at chimneys, parapet walls, dormer cheeks and roof abutments are some of the most critical parts of any roof. They are dressed into the masonry above and lapped over the tiles below, creating a watertight seal at junctions that tile or slate alone cannot achieve.
Over time, the mortar that holds the top edge of a flashing in place can crack and open. This lets water behind the lead, and the first sign is usually a damp patch on the chimney breast or the wall inside. A periodic visual inspection - binoculars from the ground work well - and occasional repointing of the mortar chase is far cheaper than letting water track in over several winters.
Flat roofs need slightly different attention from pitched ones. The main things to monitor are:
EPDM rubber membranes are generally low-maintenance once properly installed, but they are not indestructible. Foot traffic, falling branches and sharp fixings can all puncture a membrane. Keep roof access minimal and use a proper walkway board if the roof needs to be accessed for maintenance of other services.
Rooflights installed as part of a new roof or re-roof have their own maintenance needs. The frame and kerb seal should be checked periodically - most rooflight failures are at the upstand or flashing detail rather than in the glazing itself. Keep the glass or polycarbonate panel clean to prevent algae from degrading the seal around the frame.
Some things are worth monitoring and some things need prompt attention. Call a roofer without delay if you see:
None of these will resolve themselves. Each one left unattended typically causes damage that costs more to repair than the original problem would have.
A periodic roof inspection - looking at the covering, the flashings, the gutters and the verges - can give you a clear picture of what, if anything, needs attention. It is the most cost-effective way to keep a new roof performing as it should.
If you have recently had a new roof installed in Stalham, or if you want advice on maintaining an existing one, call us to arrange a survey. We cover Stalham and the wider Norwich area.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
