Domestic

Gutters and fascia’s are often overlooked when it comes to home maintenance, but they are actually an important aspect of keeping your home in good shape. It’s important to keep them clean, but this task can be time-consuming and difficult. That’s why investing in professional gutter and fascia cleaning services is a great idea. Here are the benefits you can expect from doing so.

Prevent Damages to Your Home
Your gutters and fascia’s play an important role in protecting your home from water damage caused by rain or snow runoff. When they become clogged or damaged, it can cause water to overflow which can lead to serious issues like roof leaks, foundation cracks, landscaping erosion, and more. Regularly cleaning your gutters will help ensure that these problems don’t occur. Professional gutter and fascia cleaning services provide a thorough inspection of your system and clear out any debris that might be causing blockages or other issues.

Prevent Unwanted Visitors
When gutters are not cleaned regularly, they become the perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, birds, wasps, etc. These unwanted visitors can easily find their way into your home if you don’t keep up with regular gutter cleaning services. Not only are these pests irritating but they can also carry diseases like West Nile Virus which is dangerous for both humans and animals alike. Investing in professional gutter cleaning services will help ensure that these pests stay away from your home while also providing peace of mind that everything is functioning properly.

Save Time & Energy
Cleaning out your own gutters is a time-consuming process – not only do you have to climb up on a ladder but you also have to manually remove any debris that has built up over time. Hiring professionals eliminates this hassle as they have the right tools and techniques for the job – meaning less time spent on ladders and more time doing other things! Plus, you won’t have to worry about accidentally damaging any parts of your house since the professionals have experience working with all types of systems.

Gutters and fascia’s may not seem like something that needs regular maintenance but it’s actually essential for keeping your home in good condition – both inside and out! Investing in professional gutter cleaning services will help prevent damages such as roof leaks or foundation cracks while also keeping unwanted pests at bay. Plus, it saves you time & energy since the professionals have all the right tools & techniques needed for the job! All in all, investing in professional gutter & fascia cleaning services is well worth it if you want to keep your home safe & sound!

If you want peace of mind knowing that your home is taken care of properly then get in touch with Keay Roofing Services Ltd –Your trusted local roofer for expert roof repairs, maintenance & replacement–to find out more about how we can help you with all things related to roof maintenance!  ​​​​​

Domestic

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home but how often do you think about maintaining your roof? Roof maintenance is a topic that most domestic home owners ignore.

It is very easy to forget about your roof because you cannot see it, but your roof is exposed to so many harsh weather conditions every day, especially in the winter. A combination of strong winds, continuous rain, hail, frost and sometimes even snow, can really take its toll and lead to serious damage and deterioration.

The number one cause of roof problems is in fact poor maintenance so you really should be getting your roof inspected on a regular basis. We understand that this is an expense you probably do not want, but regular visits from a Roofing Company are actually far more cost-effective in the long-run. Not only can they identify issues before they become a problem, if neglected, the lifespan of a roof can be dramatically shortened.

There is never a bad time to have your roof checked but why is this particularly important in winter?

It can prevent leaks from occurring  

 Leaks can be expensive to fix. Not only do you have to repair the roof, but also any damage caused to the inside of your house. They say prevention is better than cure and, in this case, nothing could be truer.

It is especially important to have maintenance checks in winter because the regular process of ice freezing and melting onto your roof can cause leaks in weakened areas. A roofing company will be able to check for any existing leaks or if there are any areas of concern which could potentially cause problems in the near future.

Your gutters may be blocked

 As the leaves begin to fall off the trees, they often settle in gutters which can easily lead to them getting blocked. If you have not checked your gutters since the beginning of winter, it is highly advisable to do this now because leaves may have been sitting in there for months or even years. A blockage means that your gutters will not be able to drain water away from your home which could cause damage.

roof, maintenance, gutter, blocked

If you do not have a safe way of gaining access to your gutters, please call a Roofing Company who will be able to help you.

Your vents may be blocked

Vents need to be kept clear at all times. If they are blocked or clogged, this can lead to poor drainage and bad smells lingering. It is highly unlikely that you would know if your vents are blocked so it is very important to get a professional to come in and take a look.

It can prevent pests making their way into your home

It is not just the winter chill that you are trying to keep out of your homes at this time of year, pests can be a big problem too. Freezing cold temperatures and scarce food supplies make winter a very difficult time for any wild animal so it is not uncommon for rodents to try and make their way into buildings.

Never underestimate how determined a hungry rodent can be. If they spot a potential entry point into your home, they will find a way in and believe it or not, not even your roof is safe. If you have trees surrounding your property, they will climb up them and onto your roof. Even if you do not have trees nearby, you are still at risk because rats can even climb up bricks.

Once on your roof, if there are any loose tiles or holes, rodents can make their way into the attic where you can guarantee they will make themselves right at home. You may think you would know about it if you had rats or mice but they will do everything they can to avoid human contact and if they are hiding in your loft, chances are you will not know about it. Typically, most people do not realise they have an infestation until significant damage has been caused.

Regular roof maintenance will ensure that there are no possible entry points on your roof which dramatically reduces the likelihood of sharing your home with unwanted guests.

For more information about roof maintenance or to request a free quotation, please contact Keay Roofing Services Ltd and we will be more than happy to help.

Keay Roofing Services Ltd

TEL: 01753-358267

E-MAIL: office@keayroofingservices.com

 

 

Domestic

Ventilation moves air through your home helping to reduce moisture levels and the build up of condensation and damp. If your roof is poorly ventilated, excess moisture will soon start to build up and start to cause problems such as rot and mould.  This can affect not only the structure of your roof, but also insulation material and personal items stored in your loft.

So if you start to notice any of the following signs of ventilation problems, now is the time to start taking some remedial action.

  • Wet or damp rafters
  • Musty smell
  • Mould build up
  • Swollen rafters
  • Rust to metal roofing components

To help set you along the right path of adequately ventilating your roof, here are just a few of the myths (and facts) you may face when tackling this task.

1. Ventilation Removes Warm Air During Winter

For some, the idea of ventilating the roof space can ring alarm bells as they believe they’ll lose  precious warm air which should be warming their home during winter. However, this should not be a worry if your roof is properly insulated.

If your roof is under-insulated and under-ventilated, excess moisture can build up in your attic without being able to easily escape. The result is a roof that is steadily reducing in efficiency.

2. The More Ventilation, The Better

Ventilation vents are an essential part of every roof, but like most things, you need to have the right amount for your home. Having too many vents in your roof can increase the chances of water leaking into your loft space and causing damage. Not enough and moisture won’t be able to escape, leading to problems associated with condensation build up. The amount of ventilation required is dependent on your roof size, shape and material. To help make an informed decision on what’s right for you, speak to one of our experts here at Keay Roofing on 01753 358267.

3. Roof Vents are Only Suitable for Warmer Climates

This myth stems from the same idea as the one that says ventilation allows warm air to escape during winter. Whilst ventilation is important to help keep a house cool in the summer, other factors such as tiles, insulation, colour and sun exposure are equally important.

But it’s actually colder climates that benefit the most from an effective roofing ventilation system. As we heat our homes, more hot air is trapped under the roof space thanks to improved loft insulation.  This means our roof spaces (above the insulating layer) are cooler than the rest of our homes, creating an environment that’s perfect for moisture and condensation to build up.   Adequate ventilation will move this moisture laden air away from your roof.

4. Vents Are the Same as Ventilation

Despite being called vent-ilation, simply having vents does not mean you are ventilated! Ventilation is a carefully designed system that allows air and moisture to move away from your roof. If the system is simply a combination of vents with no thought or design, you could actually do more harm than good.

The most common form of roof ventilation in the UK are eaves vents and running vents.

Running vents – these run the full length of the soffit boards and are typically installed at the time the house was built.

Circular soffit vents – are little plastic vents cut into the soft boards. These are usually retrofitted to properties as part of remedial work such as installing additional loft insulation or fitting PVC eaves cladding.

Ventilation tiles/slates – are another means of providing extra ventilation to a property which had restricted ventilation at the time of construction.

Whatever type of ventilation your loft has, or type of vent you intend to add, it’s important to ensure your roof has adequate cross ventilation to ensure the wind draught has a separate entrance and exit point.  This is usually achieved by fitting vents to opposite sides of your roof space.

For help with getting to grips with your ventilation system why not contact a member of our team? Please feel free to contact us on 01753 358267 or send us an enquiry.

Domestic

Up to 30% of a home’s heat can disappear through the roof. But by tackling the easy task of insulating your loft, this heat loss can be reduced by up to 20%. The insulation itself should last for a good forty years, during which time it will pay for itself many times over.  What’s more, you may also be eligible for a grant to pay for the materials. Whilst adding insulation is something that can be accomplished by a competent DIY-er, seeking professional help is recommended if you wish to board out your loft, or insulate a flat roof.

How Much Can I Save On My Roof?

By improving the insulation of your roof space, you can save cash and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. According to the Energy Saving Trust (2015), assuming a 270mm layer of insulation, a typical three bedroom semi will save about £140 in fuel bills a year. This also amounts to a saving of 590Kg of carbon dioxide a year.

In the case of a four bedroom detached house, you should be able to save £240 in bills and 1000Kg of carbon dioxide a year.

For a three bedroom mid-terrace house, the savings are approximately £135 in bills and 560Kg carbon dioxide a year.

In each case, you should get back the cost of installation in about two years (even without a grant).

Insulating a pitched roof

If you have a pitched roof and you can get in to the loft space, the easiest option is to lay rolls of insulation between the joists. Simply unroll the insulation and cut the roll to length with a large pair of scissors. This will help stop heat escaping from the living area of your home, but will leave the loft uninsulated.

Insulation should be placed over any water pipes or water tanks (to prevent freezing in winter), but under any electrical cables. If the insulation will not go under the cables, you will have to leave that part of the loft uninsulated. Do not put insulation over cables.

Rolls of insulation can be purchased made from rock wool or glass wool (this is the only type of insulation for which you can claim a grant) and come in a variety of widths to match your joist spacing. The first layer is laid between the joists and the next layer is laid at right angles to the first.

It is recommended that glass wool is laid to a depth of 270mm and rock wool to a depth of 250mm.

Most joists are 100mm (4 inches) deep, so you will need 100mm rolls for the first layer, and then lay 200mm rolls at right angles to bring you up to the recommended depth.

If you already have some insulation installed, this can be left so you only need to add extra to bring you up to the minimum depth.

Don’t forget to insulate the loft hatch, and put strips of draught excluder round the edge of the hatch to prevent draughts.

What do I do if I want to use my loft for storage?

If the loft has been insulated to a depth of 270mm, you won’t be able to fit floor boards as the insulation will be over the joists. To avoid compromising on the depth of insulation, and on storage space, plastic loft flooring legs can be purchased to raise the height of the floor by 175mm. Floor boards can then be laid over these.

If you do plan to board out your loft, make a point of using a felt pen to mark out the routes of any pipes or cables as you lay the floor, then you will know which ones to lift if you need to do any maintenance. You may also wish to avoid using tongue and groove boards, because if you do need to take one up, you’ll end up taking half the floor.

Converting a Loft Into Another Room

If the loft area is being converted into part of the living space, then you will need to insulate the roof itself, rather than the loft floor.

There are a number of options here, depending on the size and shape of the loft space. For example, insulation boards can be fitted between the rafters. These in turn can be covered in plasterboard.

Other options include polystyrene slabs fitted between the rafters, or expanding spray foam which can be used in the more inaccessible spaces.

It is important to leave adequate ventilation beneath the roof tiles, or else a build-up of condensation could cause the rafters to rot. Missing or slipped tiles should be replaced before any work is carried out.

Whilst carrying out this work yourself is possible, bringing in a professional roofing contractor will ensure that any changes are safe, sound and up to building regulations.  For more information on loft conversions, please visit our dedicated loft conversion page.

Insulating a flat roof

There are three types of flat roof insulation available, warm deck, cold deck or inverted roof.

Warm deck insulation is fitted above the main roof structure (the deck), but under the weatherproof layer. This can consist of a rigid layer of insulation board laid on top of the deck, with a new weatherproof layer on top. This is the method usually preferred.

Cold deck insulation is fitted below the roof deck, leaving a gap between the insulation and the deck for ventilation.

Inverted roof insulation is fitted above the weatherproof layer. This is generally finished with a layer of gravel. This method of insulation can prolong the life of the roof deck and weatherproof membrane by protecting against weather extremes and mechanical damage.

All new flat roofs must be insulated to comply with building regulations, so it’s advisable to seek the help of a roofing contractor at this time.

For more information on flat roofs, please visit our dedicated flat roof page.

If you’re looking to make changes to your roof to improve insulation and energy efficiency, please feel free to give us a call. Keay Roofing Services are Competent Roofer, NRFC and Which? Trusted Trader qualified.

You can contact us for any queries you may have about your roof on 01753 358267

Domestic

Winter is cold. As the sun gets lower and sets earlier, the wind can really start to put a chill in your bones. This is why having a roof over your head is so important, as it keeps heat within your house and stops it escaping. Your roof is also your first line of defence against horrible winter rain and storms. In short it has a pretty impressive list of jobs that it does to keep you comfortable.

The trouble is that years of weather cycles can take a toll on your home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of danger. Here are some tips to keep in mind regarding your roof this winter.

Problems Inside Your Home

If there is a problem with your roof, you will see some clear signs from within your home. Any leaks, water damage, or general dampness in your ceilings are a tell-tale sign that there is a broken or missing tile. The quicker you find the problem; the less damage will be inflicted so it is important to stay vigilant against any indication of damage.

Visual Check

This is where things can get a bit dangerous. Doing a full inspection of your roof yourself can be beneficial as you can assess any damages and make a decision yourself. Unfortunately, this can mean going on the roof which can be slippery, especially during the winter when rain is never far from the forecast. In these situations we always recommend bringing in a professional who has been trained and has the specialist equipment to carry out a safe assessment.

Most of the time you should be able to do an adequate visual check from the ground.   Signs to look for are things like animal damage, debris, and broken or missing tiles. You should also check the floor around your home for any signs of slipped or broken tiles, or moss, as this can be a sign on a problem with your roof.

Clogged Gutters

As autumn turns to winter and leaves start to fall, you may find that your gutters aren’t transporting water away from your home. This is probably due to debris and leaves from trees and bushes clogging up your guttering. This small issue can turn into a large one, as standing water will put stress on your gutters which may not be able to take the added weight. This could lead it to break, which will mean rain water will not move away from your home.

Keeping your gutters clear is an annoying job, but it is important that it is regularly attended too. You should also exercise caution and take proper safety procedures when using a ladder. Or call in the roofers to help clear your gutters safely.

Annual Roof Check

Having your roof inspected by a professional should be done before the winter comes around. It is much better to stop a problem before it starts than to fix one once it is too late. At Keay Roofing Services, our trained professionals will ensure that every nook and cranny of your roof is checked over for any faults. We can also repair any damage that we find right there and then. This gives you piece of mind and ensures that your home is safe from the winter.

Being pro-active in checking your roof is the first step to preventing water damage. This in turn could save you a lot of money in the long run. For more information about how to protect your roof this winter, please contact Keay Roofing Services on 0800 1577424 or send us an enquiry form.