We are JD Home Improvements, a family run roofing company on West Town Road in Shirehampton, a short drive along the Portway from Clifton. Joe, our director, has more than 20 years in roofing, and he leads a team of over a dozen roofers alongside his son Tommy. This page explains what makes Clifton roofs different and how we can look after yours.
Roofs you cannot see from the street
Many of Clifton's finest buildings hide their roofs. Georgian and Regency terraces, such as those along Royal York Crescent and around Clifton Village, have a parapet wall along the front, with a valley or box gutter running behind it. From the pavement you see stonework and windows. Up top there is natural slate, with a lead-lined gutter carrying all the rain off the front slope.
Victorian villas further up towards the Downs and along Whiteladies Road are more visible, with steep slate roofs under tall chimney stacks. Mansard roofs, with their steep lower slopes and dormer windows, are common across the area and bring their own set of details to keep watertight.
Hidden gutters and the classic Clifton leak
Parapet and box gutters are the source of more Clifton leaks than anything else. Leaves and silt collect in them until the outlets block, and then water rises until it spills over the lead and into the building. Lead linings that have been in place for decades can also split along their joints, letting water through even when the gutter is clear.
Because these gutters are out of sight, problems often go unnoticed until a stain appears on a top-floor ceiling or water runs down an inside wall. Regular checks and clearing make a huge difference, and when the lead has failed we can reline the gutter properly.
Common roof problems in Clifton
- Blocked or split parapet gutters behind the front wall of terraces.
- Slipped slates where original nails have corroded.
- Worn leadwork on valleys and mansard details.
- Tall chimney stacks needing repointing and new flashing.
Gutter leaks and slipped slates are typical roof repairs for us in Clifton. Stacks on these period homes are often a job for our chimney repair team, while worn lead valleys and gutters may need relining as part of a larger leadwork and flat roof job.
Conservation areas and listed buildings
Much of Clifton lies within conservation areas, and many buildings are listed. That affects what can be changed on a roof. Like-for-like repairs, using matching natural slate and traditional lead, are usually straightforward. Changes to materials or the appearance of a roof may need consent from the council, which the owner normally arranges.
We are glad to explain what work we propose and supply details of materials, so you can check with the council if needed. Our aim is always to keep the character of the building while making the roof sound.
Flats and shared roofs
Many large Clifton houses have been split into flats. In that case the roof is usually shared, and responsibility for it sits with the freeholder or a residents' management company. If you own a flat, check who is responsible before booking any roof work. We are happy to quote for managing agents and residents' groups as well as individual owners.
Mansards and top-floor rooms
Mansard roofs give Clifton houses extra rooms at the top, tucked behind steep lower slopes. Those slopes are usually slate, with dormer windows set into them and a shallow upper roof above. Each dormer has lead cheeks and a lead or felt top, and every joint between them is a possible entry point for water.
When a top-floor room shows damp around a window, the dormer is the first place we look. Worn lead and tired felt are common causes, along with cracked mortar fillets. We repair or renew the leadwork and replace any slates that have slipped around the dormer, so the room stays dry without changing how the building looks from the street.
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. You receive a free written quote that sets out the work and the price.
Once you are ready, we agree a start date and keep you informed. Payment only comes when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Clifton homeowners choose us
- Minutes away. Our Shirehampton base is a short drive along the Portway.
- You pay when happy. We do not ask for payment until the work is complete to your satisfaction.
- Accredited team. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our roofers hold CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty on our roofing work.
“A first class job, men worked hard and bent over backwards to see that we got the expert finish we had asked for. Cannot praise them enough.”
Getting to Clifton from Shirehampton
We follow the Portway along the river, under the Suspension Bridge, then climb up into Clifton Village or head across the Downs to reach the streets near Whiteladies Road. Narrow streets and resident parking need some planning, so we talk through access and scaffold with you before the job is booked.
We also look after the Victorian villas of Redland and Cotham, just over the hill.
Clifton roofing FAQs
Do you work on listed and conservation area homes?
Yes. We match natural slate and traditional lead so repairs keep the character of the building. Any formal consents are arranged by the owner, and we are happy to supply details for that.
My top-floor ceiling is stained but the roof looks fine. Why?
On a Clifton terrace it is often a hidden parapet or box gutter overflowing or splitting behind the front wall. We can find the fault and repair or reline the gutter.
Do you do leadwork?
Yes. Lead valleys and gutter linings are a big part of roofing in Clifton, and we renew them with care.
Can you fit a rooflight on a period roof?
We can fit conservation rooflights that sit low against the slate to keep a traditional look, subject to any consent your building needs.
Who pays for roof repairs on a building split into flats?
Usually the freeholder or the residents' management company, depending on your lease. Check with them first, and we can quote directly for the building.
How often should hidden gutters be cleared?
At least once a year, ideally after the autumn leaf fall. Buildings near large trees may need more frequent checks.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Do you give free quotes in Clifton?
Always. Every quote is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Clifton roof needs attention, from a hidden gutter leak to a slate re-roof, we are close by and glad to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.