We are JD Home Improvements, a family run roofing company on West Town Road in Shirehampton. Joe, our director, has more than 20 years of roofing experience, and he leads a team of over a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. This page explains what we see on Bradley Stoke roofs and how we can help with yours.
A modern town reaching middle age
Most of Bradley Stoke was built by volume housebuilders from the late 1980s onwards. Detached and semi-detached houses dominate, alongside terraces and some flats, laid out in cul-de-sacs off Bradley Stoke Way and the main spine roads. Roofs are mostly gable or hipped designs covered in concrete interlocking tiles.
When these houses were new, their roofs needed little attention. Thirty to forty years on, the picture has changed. Concrete tiles have lost their surface coating, and the mortar on ridges and verges has dried out. Original timber or early plastic fascias are often showing their age too.
What goes wrong on 1980s and 1990s roofs
Ridge tiles on many Bradley Stoke homes were bedded in mortar, as were the verges at the gable ends. That mortar cracks and falls away over time, often landing in the garden or on the drive. Once it has gone, tiles can lift in strong wind and rain can get underneath.
Concrete tiles themselves gradually become more porous. Their surface roughens until moss takes hold, and the gutters fill with debris washed down from above. Underneath, most homes of this age do have a membrane, though older bitumen felt can sag or tear where it meets the gutter, letting water run behind the fascia.
Common roof problems in Bradley Stoke
- Crumbling verge and ridge mortar dropping onto paths and drives.
- Moss on concrete tiles blocking gutters and downpipes.
- Tired fascias and soffits that have cracked or rotted.
- Leaking flat roofs on garages and porches.
Loose ridges and verges are quick roof repairs, and we often fit a dry verge or dry ridge system that fixes tiles mechanically so they no longer rely on mortar. Moss build-up is handled by our roof moss removal service, which clears the tiles by hand and treats them. Garage and porch roofs that leak are a job for our flat roofing team.
Dry verge and dry ridge systems
Mortar on verges and ridges was the standard approach when Bradley Stoke was built. Modern dry systems use plastic caps and mechanical fixings instead. They hold tiles firmly in place and need far less maintenance, because there is no mortar to crack and fall away.
Fitting a dry verge along a gable end or a dry ridge along the top of the roof is usually a quick job with a tower scaffold, and it is one of the best ways to bring a 1990s roof up to date. We will explain whether it suits your roof and give you a clear price.
Rooflines and guttering
Many homes in Bradley Stoke have their original fascias and soffits. Timber boards may have rotted behind the paint, and early plastic boards can become brittle and discoloured. Replacing them with modern uPVC gives a clean finish that does not need painting, and it is a good moment to fit new guttering too.
Looking after a newer roof
A roof from the 1990s is a long way from the end of its life, yet a little maintenance now saves a lot of expense later. Checking the ridge and verges every few years, along with clear gutters, is usually all it takes to keep these roofs in good order.
Flat roofs on garages and porches are the exception. Felt laid when the house was built has often reached the end of its life by now, and those small roofs are the most common source of leaks we see in Bradley Stoke. Replacing a garage roof with a modern covering is usually a short job, and it removes a worry for many years.
If your home is newer still, check whether any builder's warranty applies before arranging work. Where it does not, we are happy to help.
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 language. 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. You only pay when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Bradley Stoke homeowners choose us
- North Bristol coverage. Our Shirehampton base is a short run up the M5.
- Payment at the end. We only ask to be paid once you are happy with the work.
- 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.
“Joe's team members were very punctual, hardworking and efficient. They did an excellent job and we are very pleased with their services. Highly recommended.”
Getting to Bradley Stoke from Shirehampton
We head up the M5 past Cribbs Causeway and come into Bradley Stoke from the west, or cut across via Patchway. The Willow Brook Centre and the Three Brooks nature reserve are handy landmarks for directions.
We also work regularly in neighbouring Stoke Gifford and Patchway.
Bradley Stoke roofing FAQs
Mortar keeps falling from the edge of my roof. What is happening?
The mortar on your verge or ridge has broken down. Those tiles can lift in wind, so it is worth fitting a dry verge or rebedding them before they come loose.
What is a dry verge?
A dry verge uses plastic caps and mechanical fixings along the gable end instead of mortar. It holds the tiles firmly and needs very little maintenance.
Is my 1990s roof due for replacement?
Usually not yet. Most roofs of that age need maintenance rather than replacement, such as new verges or ridges and some moss removal. We will give you an honest view.
Can you replace my old fascias and soffits?
Yes. We replace them with uPVC and can fit new guttering at the same time.
My garage roof leaks. Can you fix it?
We can repair or replace garage flat roofs, depending on the condition of the covering and the deck beneath it.
Do you fit roof windows?
We do. We fit Velux windows into tiled roofs for loft conversions, with flashing kits that keep them watertight.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are completely happy with it.
Are quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Bradley Stoke is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Bradley Stoke roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.