Roof damage and leak repair in Peterborough

Where roof leaks really come from

Water runs along battens, rafters and underlay before it drips, so a stain on the bedroom ceiling may start several metres away. That is why patching the obvious spot often fails. These are the causes we find most often in Peterborough homes:

• Valleys: worn lead or cracked mortar-bedded valleys carry a large volume of water and fail first.
• Chimney and wall flashings: lead that has split, lifted or been replaced with mortar or sealant.
• Slipped or cracked tiles, often after high winds.
• Perished underlay: older bitumen felt becomes brittle and tears behind the tiles.
• Blocked gutters and outlets that back water up under the eaves.
• Condensation in poorly ventilated lofts, which can look like a leak.

Will insurance pay?

Most home insurance covers sudden damage, such as a storm or a falling tree, but not wear and tear or a leak that has developed gradually. Insurers will want evidence of the cause. Which? advises photographing the damage, contacting your insurer as soon as possible and keeping receipts for any emergency work. Our written reports set out the cause and extent of the damage so your insurer can assess the claim quickly.

Don’t ignore a small leak

Even a slow drip can rot battens and rafters, damage insulation, stain plaster and encourage mould. The sooner the cause is fixed, the smaller the repair.