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 alongside his son Tommy. This page explains what we see on Cotham roofs and how we can help with yours.
Victorian Cotham
Cotham grew in the mid to late Victorian period, when the hillside above St Michael's Hill filled with substantial houses for Bristol's professional families. Cotham Road and the streets around Cotham Gardens are lined with stone-fronted villas and tall terraces. Many have three or four storeys, with steep slate roofs and big chimney stacks.
Over the last century, a large share of those houses have been divided into flats, especially close to the university and the hospitals. That means many Cotham roofs are shared between several owners, and decisions about repairs involve more than one household.
Tall houses, exposed roofs
Cotham's position on the hill means roofs catch the wind from several directions. Tall buildings with high ridges are more exposed than lower terraces, and slates near the ridge and verges take the brunt of it. Chimney stacks, often serving a whole column of fireplaces, stand proud of the roof and weather quickly.
Getting to these roofs safely takes planning. Scaffold on a four-storey house is a bigger undertaking than on a two-storey semi, and narrow streets with resident parking add to the challenge. We plan access carefully and talk it through with you before a job is booked.
Common roof problems in Cotham
- Slipped slates where original nails have corroded.
- Weathered chimney stacks with crumbling mortar.
- Failed lead flashing where stacks and walls meet the roof.
- Blocked valley and parapet gutters on taller terraces.
Slipped slates and failing flashing are everyday roof repairs for us. Cotham's stacks often need our chimney repairs service, which covers repointing and fresh lead, with the top courses rebuilt where needed. When a whole roof is wearing out, a new roof in natural slate keeps the period look while giving the building decades more protection.
Working on shared roofs
When a house is split into flats, the roof usually belongs to the freeholder or is shared through a residents' management company. Repairs then need agreement from the people who share the cost. We make that easier by giving a clear written quote that sets out exactly what is needed and why, which can be passed round all the owners.
We are happy to deal with managing agents and residents' groups directly. If only one flat is affected by a leak, we still look at the roof as a whole so the real cause is found and fixed.
Strip and relay for Cotham slate
Many Cotham roofs still have their original Welsh slate, which can often be saved. A strip and relay takes the slates off and replaces the battens over a new breathable membrane. Sound slates then go back on with new fixings, and any broken ones are replaced with matching slate. The finished roof looks just like the original, with modern protection underneath.
Where the slates themselves have become soft or flaky, new natural slate is the better choice. We check the condition carefully before recommending either route and price them side by side where both are realistic.
Loft rooms and roof windows
Top-floor flats in Cotham often have rooms built into the roof space. Roof windows bring daylight into those rooms, and we fit them into slate with flashing designed for the job. We also replace older roof windows that have started to leak or rot.
Hidden gutters on taller terraces
Some of the taller Cotham terraces have parapet walls along the front, with a lead-lined gutter hidden behind them. Those gutters collect leaves and silt from the roof, and when an outlet blocks, water can rise over the lead and into the top floor. A stain on a top-floor ceiling near the front wall is a classic sign.
Clearing these gutters once a year prevents most of the trouble. Where the lead has split along its joints, we reline the gutter properly so it can carry water off the roof for many more years.
How we work
Call us and tell us what is happening. 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 cost.
Once you are ready, we agree a start date and keep you informed throughout. Payment is only due when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Cotham homeowners choose us
- Close by. Our Shirehampton base is a short drive across the Downs.
- You pay at the end. We only ask for payment once you are happy with the work.
- Accredited team. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our roofers hold CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty on our roofing.
“The owner/partners Joe and Tom were friendly, personable, competent and thorough. Very helpful, as were all of the workers.”
Getting to Cotham from Shirehampton
From the Portway we climb across the Downs and down through Redland to reach Cotham Road. Cotham Gardens and the top of St Michael's Hill are good landmarks if you are giving directions.
We also look after roofs in neighbouring Redland and among the terraces of Bishopston.
Cotham roofing FAQs
I own a flat. Can I book a roof repair myself?
That depends on your lease. The roof often belongs to the freeholder or residents' company, so check with them first. We can quote directly for the building.
Can you work on a four-storey house?
Yes. Taller buildings need more scaffold and careful planning, and we explain the access arrangements before the job is booked.
Can you save my original slate?
Often, yes. A strip and relay puts sound slates back on new battens and membrane, keeping the original look.
My chimney stack looks loose at the top. Is it dangerous?
A loose stack should be checked promptly. We can inspect it and repoint or rebuild the top courses to make it safe.
Water is coming in near the chimney breast. What could it be?
Failed lead flashing around the stack is a common cause. We can renew the flashing and repoint the brickwork above it.
Do you fit roof windows in slate?
We do, using flashing kits made for slate so the window stays watertight.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Cotham is free and comes with no obligation.
Can the cost of a shared roof repair be split between flats?
That is decided by your lease or management company rather than by us. We provide a clear written quote that can be shared with every owner so the decision is easier to make.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Cotham roof needs attention, we are close by and glad to help. Call 07717 610410 or ask for a free quote.