You cannot climb up and inspect a new roof, and you should not. But there is plenty you can judge from the ground, the loft and the paperwork. Here is what a good job looks like in Portishead.
Most people cannot see the work once it is done, so they judge the roofer instead. That is a fair instinct, but there are also clear signs in the finished roof itself. A good job looks tidy, lines up and leaves you able to describe exactly what was done and why.
Look from the ground first
Stand back and look at the roof line. Tiles or slates should sit in straight, even courses with no obvious gaps, lifted edges or odd colours. Ridge lines should look level and the verges and eaves neatly finished. Check that the gutters sit straight and the paths and garden are clear.
Look at the chimney and any wall junctions too. Lead should sit snug against the brick with neat, even joints, and nothing should be smeared with sealant to cover poor fitting. A tidy, deliberate finish tends to go with careful work underneath.
What the loft can tell you
From the loft hatch, a good job leaves clean felt, battens evenly spaced and no daylight showing through the covering. Any timber that was damp or rotten before should have been dealt with, not covered over. There should be no leftover debris or damp where there was none before.
- No daylight showing through the roof covering
- Felt laid cleanly, not torn or bunched
- No fresh damp patches on timbers or insulation
- Loft left tidy, with hatch closed properly
The explanation matters
You should be able to say what was done, in plain words, because it was explained and written down. A decent roofer will have told you the cause of the problem, what was replaced and what was left alone, and why. Vague answers or a changing story are worth questioning.
Weather is the real test
Heavy, wind-driven rain is the proper test of a repair, particularly in an exposed spot near the estuary. If a leak returns, ring the roofer promptly, note when and where it appears, and send photographs. A reputable roofer will come back and look rather than argue.
Questions to ask at handover
Ask what was found under the old covering, what has been replaced and what needs watching. Ask whether the site was left clean and how any waste was taken away. We work that way: describe it, show it, and tidy up. If something does not look right, say so before the scaffold comes down.
A few days later, walk round the garden and check the gutters. Stray nails, broken tile fragments and dust in the downpipes are signs the site was not cleared properly, and they are easy to raise early with the roofer while it is fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of a poor roofing job?
Uneven tile lines, lifted edges, mortar smeared messily, torn felt, debris left in gutters and a leak that comes back soon after are all warning signs. Vague explanations of what was done also count against it.
Should I be shown photographs of the work?
It is reasonable to ask. Photographs of what was found and what was done are especially useful on work hidden beneath the covering, such as rotten timber or felt. Good roofers are happy to share them.
When should I raise a concern?
As early as possible, ideally before the scaffold or access equipment is removed. Speak to the roofer directly, describe what you see and ask for it to be put right or explained. Most problems are easier to solve while the team is still there.
Talk to our team about general roofing services in Portishead
Every roof is different — the fastest way to get an accurate answer is a quick chat with our team.