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 runs a team of over a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. Here is what we know about Fishponds roofs and how we can help with yours.
From Victorian terraces to inter-war semis
Fishponds grew in stages. The Victorian and Edwardian terraces closest to Fishponds Road and Lodge Causeway came first, many built of Pennant stone with slate or clay tile roofs. Between the wars, rows of semi-detached houses filled the land towards Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills, usually with hipped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. Later decades added more homes and plenty of extensions.
Each era of building brings its own roofing needs. Older terraces have rear outriggers and shared chimney stacks, while inter-war semis have hips and ridges that rely on mortar. Many homes on both sides have converted lofts or flat-roofed kitchen extensions at the back.
Trees and the Frome valley
Fishponds is lucky to have green space on its doorstep, with Eastville Park at one end and the wooded Frome valley around Snuff Mills and Oldbury Court at the other. That greenery means mature trees in many streets and gardens, which drop leaves into gutters and valleys every autumn. Shaded roofs near the valley grow thick moss that holds water against the tiles.
Blocked gutters are one of the most common sources of damp we see. Water spills over the edge onto the brickwork, and over time it can rot the fascia board behind the gutter. A yearly clear-out after the leaves fall prevents a lot of that damage.
Common roof problems in Fishponds
- Slipped slates and tiles on older terraces where the fixings have failed.
- Loose hip and ridge tiles on inter-war semis.
- Moss and blocked gutters on shaded roofs near the valley.
- Leaking felt flat roofs on kitchen extensions.
Slipped tiles and loose hips are straightforward roof repairs when caught early. Older roofs that have reached the end of their life may need a new roof, with fresh battens and a breathable membrane under new tiles or slate. Leaking extension roofs are a job for our flat roofing team, who strip back the old felt and lay a modern covering.
Outriggers and back bedrooms
On Fishponds terraces, the narrow rear section of the house, known as the outrigger, has its own small roof. Where that roof meets the main wall of the house, a lead or mortar flashing keeps water out. When the flashing cracks or lifts, rain runs down inside the wall, and damp appears in the back bedroom or above the kitchen.
Because the damp shows inside rather than on the roof, it is easy to blame condensation or plumbing. We check the flashing and the valley between the outrigger and main roof first, since that joint is so often the cause.
Repairs before replacement
We always start by asking whether a repair will do the job. A few slipped tiles and some fresh mortar on the ridge can give a roof many more years. When tiles crumble at the touch and the loft shows widespread damp, replacement becomes the better value. Where both options are realistic, we price them side by side and explain how long we would expect each to last.
Lofts and modern additions
Fishponds has plenty of growing families, and many houses have been extended at the back or converted in the loft. Those additions bring new roofs of their own, from flat roofs over kitchens to dormers and roof windows on the rear slope. Each one creates extra joints where the new work meets the old house.
When we look at a roof with additions, we check those joints as carefully as the main slopes. A neat flashing at the junction keeps water out, and a poorly finished one is often the hidden cause of a leak that seems to have no obvious source.
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 without jargon. 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 with it.
Why Fishponds homeowners choose us
- Bristol based. Our Shirehampton base gives us easy reach across the city.
- Pay once you are happy. We only ask for payment once the work meets your approval.
- 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 was extremely helpful when he came around to quote for the work and took time to explain our options. Barry who came to actually carry out the work was great too, explained everything and was very professional.”
Getting to Fishponds from Shirehampton
We cross the city via the ring road or through Horfield, then head down to Fishponds Road. The library and the shops along the main road make easy landmarks, and most streets are a few minutes either side of them.
Our team also works regularly in neighbouring Downend and Staple Hill.
Fishponds roofing FAQs
My back bedroom is damp near the ceiling. Could it be the roof?
On a Fishponds terrace it often is. The flashing where the outrigger roof meets the main wall is a common cause, and we can check and renew it.
Do you remove moss from roofs near Snuff Mills?
Yes. We remove moss by hand and treat the tiles to slow regrowth, and we clear the gutters while we are up there.
Can you rebed loose ridge tiles?
We can rebed them in fresh mortar or fit a dry ridge system that fixes them mechanically.
My kitchen extension roof is leaking. Can you replace it?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the deck before laying a new flat roof suited to the space.
Do you work on Pennant stone terraces?
We do. We match slate or tiles and use suitable mortar so repairs sit comfortably with the original stonework.
How do I know if I need a new roof?
Crumbling tiles and widespread damp in the loft are common signs. We will look at the whole roof and give you an honest view.
When do I pay?
Only once the job is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Are quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Fishponds is free and carries no obligation.
Can you fit roof windows for a loft conversion?
We can. We fit Velux windows into tiled and slate roofs, with flashing kits that keep the join watertight.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Fishponds roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.