Quick and easy ways to avoid costly roof repairs

Attention Homeowners! Learn the 5 ways you can look after your roof and minimise repairs with rope access

As an Edinburgh based rope access company, we know all the common problems that lead to roof repairs so we have put together our top 5 hints at helping you look after your roof all year round and stop costly repairs further down the track.

1. Check your roof tiles

At New Town Rope Access we can easily come and check that your roof tiles are not broken or cracked, if left unchecked these slates can become soft and will be reaching the end of their use. We can also make sure that there are no slates missing on your roof, or none that have been dislodged due to corrosion of the original nail fixings. If left all of these can cause water ingress and leaks into the property.

Broken or loose slates if left can lead to lots of trouble down the track.

2. Look out for blocked gutters

In the run up to winter its very important to enlist a rope access company such as ours to remove a build up of leaves and other debris from gutters, if left they can often find their way into the down pipes clogging them, as well as causing damage to the roof as the water gets backed up.

3. Maintain Rooftop equipment

Items that have been affixed to roofs like television cables etc can after a long period of time lead to punctures and leaks, if the screws have corroded or fallen out, creating a potential entry point for water.

4. Inspect your chimney regularly

Cracks at the base of your chimney can cause water to trickle into the chimney itself and freeze thereby causing even larger cracks and more damage. Other issues can be that if moisture gets in it can cause flue tiles to be destroyed, and if left this can prove dangerous.

5. Revisit the roof valley

This is the V created where two sloping roofs meet, and can be punctured by other people or tradesman who have stepped on them incorrectly or if they have been neglected, if they are not maintained debris will build up here too causing water damage and leaks.

It is vital to maintain and inspect your roof regularly, particularly if you live in a property which falls under the Tenements Act 2004 and Common Repairs. Further information on that can be found at City of Edinburgh Council

Want to speak to us and find out how New Town Rope Access can help you stay on top of your roof repairs and other building problems?

5 tips to find a trusted rope access company

Finding a reliable and trusted tradesperson is vital to any home repairs you want to undertake. Here are those tips you should know before employing a rope access company

1.   Make sure you get a quote in writing

Always make sure that following an initial assessment/visit to discuss the project, you get a quote in writing. It is very important that you know from the beginning what the job is going to entail such as whats included/involved with the work. Confirm before work starts whether the quote is fixed or an estimate.

2.   Have you done a rope access project like this before?

Its very beneficial for the customer to check whether the company has experience in handling the type of work that needs done, and you can ask for testimonials/images of that work to help put your mind at rest. This is especially important when dealing with building or roof repairs that you may have no real knowledge of.

3.   Value professionalism

Tradespeople should not be exempt from being professional in the workplace including conduct, manner and appearance. Traits such as good timekeeping, tidiness and communication are to be highly valued. Find out our approach to work here.

4.   Request a completion date

Of course sometimes unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather can delay a project and as a rope access company, safety is always a priority, but apart from this, work should always be finished as near to the set out date as possible.

5.    Don’t compromise on insurance

Make sure that the company holds public liability insurance as this gives liability protection against third party injuries and property damage which is very important when dealing with external building repairs.