We are JD Home Improvements, a family run roofing company on West Town Road in Shirehampton. Joe, our director, has over 20 years of roofing experience, and he leads a team of more than a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. This page explains what we see on Backwell roofs and how we can help with yours.
An old village with newer neighbours
Backwell's oldest buildings sit around St Andrew's church and along the lanes climbing the hill, many of them built from local stone with clay tile or stone slate roofs. Through the twentieth century, the village grew down towards the A370 and the station, with semis and bungalows filling the land between.
Most of those later homes have concrete tiled roofs, often with garages and flat-roofed extensions alongside. Backwell Lake and the green spaces around it give the lower village a pleasant setting, while the upper lanes look out across the valley towards Nailsea.
Stone cottages on the hill
Older cottages need gentle handling. Their roof timbers may have settled into gentle curves, and new work should follow those lines rather than straighten them. Stone chimneys are best repointed with lime mortar, which lets the stone breathe and moves with the building. Reclaimed tiles help a repair blend in with the rest of the roof.
Some older buildings are listed or sit in a conservation area. Like-for-like repairs are usually straightforward, while changes to how a roof looks may need consent from the council. We can explain what we propose and supply the details you need.
Mid-century homes
Backwell's 1960s and 1970s homes have roofs that are now fifty or more years old. Their concrete tiles have weathered, and moss grows readily in the rough surface. Mortar along ridges and verges has cracked and started to fall away. At the eaves, the old felt often perishes, letting water run behind the gutter and rot the timber fascia.
Many of these roofs can be brought up to date without a full replacement. Dry verge and dry ridge systems fix tiles mechanically, while eaves protection carries water safely into the gutter. Replacing rotten fascias with uPVC finishes the job and removes the need for painting.
Common roof problems in Backwell
- Crumbling verge and ridge mortar on mid-century homes.
- Weathered stone chimneys on older cottages.
- Moss on concrete tiles and blocked gutters.
- Leaking flat roofs on garages and extensions.
Loose ridges and verges are straightforward roof repairs in most cases. Garage and extension roofs that leak are a job for our flat roofing team, who strip the old covering and lay a modern one. When a roof has reached the end of its life, a new roof with a breathable membrane and fresh tiles will protect the house for decades.
Weather on the hillside
Homes higher up Backwell Hill catch more wind than those on the valley floor, and their ridges and verges take more of a battering. When we refix tiles on exposed roofs, we use clips and mechanical fixings so they stay put in future storms. Lower down, near the lake, roofs stay damp for longer in winter, and moss is the more common issue.
Flat roofs on garages and extensions
Many Backwell homes have attached garages or kitchen extensions with felt flat roofs. Felt of that age has usually reached the end of its life. Cracks in the surface and puddles that sit for days after rain are the warning signs, and a leak into the ceiling below is rarely far behind.
We strip the old covering so we can check the deck and replace any soft boards. Then we lay a new covering to a fall so water drains into the gutter, with fresh flashing where the roof meets the house wall.
Loft conversions and roof windows
Roof windows are a neat way to bring daylight into a converted loft. We fit Velux windows into tiled and slate roofs with flashing kits that keep them watertight. On older cottages in sensitive settings, conservation-style roof windows that sit low against the roof can help keep the traditional look.
How we work
Call us and describe what you have noticed. We will arrange a visit and inspect the roof, then explain what we find in plain English. A free written quote follows, setting out the work and the price.
If you decide to go ahead, we agree a start date and keep you updated. Payment only comes when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Backwell homeowners choose us
- North Somerset coverage. Our Shirehampton base reaches Backwell along the A370.
- Pay when happy. We do not ask for payment until the work is complete to your satisfaction.
- Accredited roofers. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our team holds CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty backs our roofing work.
“All rubble cleared and taken away, no hassle for upfront payments, and only paid for the job when all work was completed and I was happy with work done.”
Getting to Backwell from Shirehampton
We cross the Avon at the Cumberland Basin and follow the A370 out past Long Ashton and Flax Bourton to Backwell. Nailsea and Backwell station and the church on the hill make easy landmarks.
We also cover neighbouring Nailsea and Long Ashton.
Backwell roofing FAQs
Do you work on old stone cottages?
Yes. We follow the existing roof lines and match materials, using lime mortar on stone where it suits.
Mortar is falling from my roof edge. What should I do?
Have the verge checked. We can rebed it or fit a dry verge that holds the tiles mechanically.
Does my 1970s roof need replacing?
Often not. Upgrades such as dry verges and new fascias can extend its life. We give you an honest view after looking at it.
Can you replace my garage roof?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the deck before laying a new flat roof.
Do you clear moss from roofs?
We do. We remove moss by hand and treat the tiles, and we clean out the gutters during the same visit.
Do I need permission to repair a listed cottage roof?
Like-for-like repairs may still need checking for a listed building. Speak to the council first, and we can supply the details they ask for.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Are quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Backwell is free and carries no obligation.
Can you fit roof windows on an older cottage?
Yes. Conservation-style roof windows sit low against the roof and suit older buildings, subject to any consent your home needs.
Do you check the roof for storm damage after bad weather?
We can. If you have spotted a slipped tile or heard rattling in the loft after a storm, ring us and we will arrange a visit to check the ridge and verges.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Backwell roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.