The homeowner of this classic period terrace in Fishponds contacted TD Roofing Contractors after discovering damp patches spreading across their front upper-bedroom ceiling.
Our initial visual inspection identified multiple points of failure on the front gable pitch above the bay window. The original underlay felt had rotted, turned brittle, and torn over decades of exposure. Rainwater driven under loose tiles was no longer being channeled down to the gutters; instead, it was soaking directly into the timber rafters and tracking through the ceiling plaster. Furthermore, the traditional mortar on the ridge line had cracked and loosened, leaving the crest vulnerable to storm uplift.
A quick patch repair on perished underlay is only ever a temporary band-aid. To solve the problem permanently, we specified a full strip, re-batten, and re-tile of the affected pitch.
We erected safety staging and scaffolding over the front bay to ensure a secure, compliant working platform. Our team stripped away the old roof covering and deteriorated timber battens right down to the bare rafters. We inspected the structural roof timbers for dry and wet rot—confirming the main rafters remained structurally sound.
Directly over the exposed rafters, we laid Proctor Air breathable roofing underlay. Unlike old bitumen sarking felt that traps moist interior air, Proctor Air is a vapour- and air-permeable membrane that provides complete water resistance against driving rain while allowing attic condensation to escape naturally without additional roof vents.
Over the breathable membrane, we measured, aligned, and fixed new BS 5534 factory-graded, pressure-treated timber battens. Graded battens ensure absolute structural load-bearing capacity and exact tile gauges, preventing future dips or sagging in the roof plane.
We installed new, heavy-duty interlocking concrete profile tiles, precisely cut to follow the pitch and adjoining valley. Where the gable meets the main roof slope, we dressed Code 4 lead flashing into the valley trough, creating a smooth, weather-tight channel to shoot rainwater directly into the gutterline.
Rather than re-bedding the apex tiles in sand-and-cement mortar (which eventually cracks and washes out under Severn Estuary winds), we installed a mechanical dry-fix ridge kit. Each ridge tile is mechanically anchored with weatherproof union clips, delivering high wind resistance and zero maintenance for decades to come.
The front pitch is now completely watertight, fully ventilated against loft damp, and protected by a zero-maintenance mechanical dry ridge system. The project was completed on schedule, leaving the site tidy and the homeowner protected by our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
If your roof is leaking, your underlay has perished, or your ridge mortar is crumbling, call Thomas Doherty directly.
TD Roofing Contractors are your local roofing contractors in Bristol, providing 20+ years of expert service. From emergency roof repairs to new slate installations, we cover all BS postcodes with quality and integrity.
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