We are JD Home Improvements, a family run roofing company based on West Town Road in Shirehampton. Joe, our director, has spent more than 20 years in roofing, and he runs a team of over a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. If you live in Henbury, this page explains what we see on local roofs and how we can help.
Old village, newer estates
Henbury has two quite different characters. Around the church and along the old lanes near Blaise you will find stone cottages and Victorian houses, some with slate and some with clay tiles. Further out, the 1930s brought rows of semis along the main roads, and after the war the council built the large Henbury estate with its brick houses and concrete tiled roofs.
Each of those generations of housing has its own weak spots. Older cottages often have uneven roof lines and stone chimneys bedded in lime mortar, all of which need gentle handling. Inter-war semis tend to have hipped roofs whose ridge and hip tiles work loose over time. Post-war homes frequently carry tiles that have simply reached the end of their life, sitting on battens with no breathable membrane underneath.
Living next to Blaise
Blaise Castle estate and its woods give Henbury a lovely green edge, and Blaise Hamlet, the group of picture-book cottages looked after by the National Trust, is a reminder of how much character the area has. All those trees come with a price for nearby roofs. Leaves settle in gutters and valleys, and shaded slopes grow thick moss.
Left alone, moss lifts tile edges and holds water against the roof through winter. Eventually it washes into the gutters and blocks the downpipes, so rainwater spills down the walls instead. Clearing it by hand, then treating the tiles, keeps a shaded roof healthy without damaging the surface.
Roof problems we see in Henbury
- Loose ridge and hip tiles on inter-war semis, where the mortar bedding has cracked away.
- Porous concrete tiles on post-war homes that let damp through in prolonged rain.
- Leaking chimney flashing on older cottages and semis, showing as damp on a chimney breast.
- Failed felt flat roofs on rear extensions and garages.
Our roof repairs service deals with the first three every week. When a post-war roof has reached the point where repairs only buy a season or two, a new roof with fresh battens and a breathable membrane is usually the sensible long-term answer. Leaking extension and garage roofs are handled by our flat roofing team, who strip them back and lay a modern covering.
Looking after older Henbury cottages
Stone cottages need a different approach from a modern semi. Their timbers may have moved over the years, so new work has to follow the existing line of the roof rather than fight it. Lime mortar is often the right choice for repointing old stone chimneys, because it lets the stone breathe. Reclaimed slates or tiles can help a repair blend in.
If your home is in a conservation area or is listed, check with the council before any change to the roof covering. We are happy to explain what work is like-for-like and to supply the details you may need.
Roof care through the Henbury seasons
Autumn is when Henbury roofs need the most attention. Leaves from Blaise and the street trees settle in gutters and valleys, and the first heavy rain of the season shows up any blockage as an overflowing downpipe or a damp patch on the wall. A quick clear-out before winter saves a lot of trouble.
Winter storms then test the ridges and verges. If you hear rattling in the loft on a windy night, or see a tile lying on the drive, it is worth booking a check before the next spell of bad weather turns a small fault into a leak.
Spring and summer are the best times for bigger planned work, such as a full re-roof or a new flat roof on an extension. Longer, drier days make the job easier, and you go into the next winter with a roof you no longer have to worry about. We are happy to visit early in the year and give you a quote so you can plan ahead.
How we handle your job
When you call, we will ask a few questions about what you have noticed and then arrange a visit. We look at the roof properly, using a ladder or the roof itself where it is safe, and explain what we see. Afterwards you receive a free written quote with the work and the price set out clearly.
If you go ahead, we agree a start date and keep you updated. At the end we walk round the finished roof with you. You only pay once you are completely satisfied.
Why Henbury homeowners choose us
- Close by. Our Shirehampton base is a short drive from every part of Henbury.
- Payment at the end. We only ask to be paid once the job is finished to your satisfaction.
- Accredited and carded. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our roofers hold CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty stands behind our roofing work.
“Replaced gutter, fascias, down pipes. The work is always exceptional quality. His team are great, polite, professional and they tidy up after themselves.”
Getting to Henbury from Shirehampton
From West Town Road we head up through Lawrence Weston and along Kings Weston Road, dropping into Henbury past the edge of Blaise. Henbury Road and Crow Lane link most of the neighbourhood, so nowhere in the area takes long to reach.
We work just as often in neighbouring Southmead, beyond Brentry, and in the period streets of Westbury-on-Trym to the south.
Henbury roofing FAQs
Do you work on old stone cottages near Blaise?
Yes. New work follows the existing roof line with matching materials, and we use lime mortar wherever it suits the stone.
My hipped roof is losing bits of mortar. Is that serious?
It means the bedding under your hip or ridge tiles is breaking down. Those tiles can lift in a storm, so having them rebedded or mechanically fixed is worth doing before they come loose.
Can you tell whether my post-war roof needs replacing?
We can. We check the condition of the tiles and the timbers beneath them, then give you an honest view, with prices for repair and replacement where both are realistic.
Do you clear moss from roofs near the woods?
Yes. We remove it by hand and treat the tiles to slow regrowth, clearing the gutters while we are up there.
Can you replace the flat roof on my extension?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the deck before laying a modern flat roof that suits the size and use of the space.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are completely happy with it.
Are quotes free in Henbury?
Yes. Every quote is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Henbury roof needs attention, from a few loose tiles to a full replacement, we are close by and glad to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.