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 runs a team of more than a dozen roofers alongside his son Tommy. This page explains what we see on Horfield roofs and how we can help.
Two generations of housing
Horfield's southern streets, close to Bishopston and the Memorial Stadium, are lined with Victorian and Edwardian terraces built from red brick or Pennant stone. These usually have slate roofs over the main house, with rear outriggers that carry their own small roofs. Many of those stacks have been capped, though the brickwork still needs looking after.
North of Horfield Common the character changes. Roads such as Wellington Hill West and the streets around Muller Road were mostly built in the 1920s and 1930s, with semi-detached houses under hipped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. Loft conversions and rear extensions have become common on both sides of the area.
What we see on Horfield terraces
Slate on Victorian terraces is often original. The slate itself may be sound, but the nails that hold it rust over time, letting individual slates slip down the roof. Outrigger roofs meet the main back wall at a lead or mortar joint, and when that joint fails, damp shows up in a back bedroom or above the kitchen.
Chimney stacks are a constant theme. Exposed to weather on all sides, their mortar wears away until the flashing finally gives up. A neglected stack can let water into the house for months before anyone traces the source.
Common roof problems in Horfield
- Slipped slates on Victorian terraces caused by corroded nails.
- Leaking outrigger roofs where the flashing against the main wall has failed.
- Worn chimney stacks needing repointing and new lead.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles on inter-war semis.
Our roof repairs team deals with slipped slates and outrigger leaks every week. For stacks in poor condition, our chimney repairs service covers repointing and fresh lead flashing, with rebuilding where needed. When a slate roof has slipped across a whole slope, a new roof or a full strip and relay is often better value than piecemeal repairs.
Loft conversions and dormers
Horfield homes have embraced loft conversions, and you will see dormers and roof windows on many back slopes. Roof windows bring daylight into a converted loft with minimal disruption, and we fit them into slate and tiled roofs with proper flashing so they stay watertight.
Older dormers deserve attention too. Their flat tops and tile-hung cheeks are common leak points, particularly where a dormer was added decades ago with felt that has since worn out. We repair or replace dormer coverings and renew the flashing around them.
Rear kitchen extensions with felt flat roofs are everywhere in Horfield. When the felt cracks or starts to hold water, we strip it back and lay a new covering suited to the size and use of the roof.
Matchdays and access
Streets near the Memorial Stadium get busy on matchdays, and parking anywhere close to Gloucester Road can be tight. We take that into account when planning a job, and we will talk through access and parking with you before anything is booked.
Many Horfield terraces have no rear access, so scaffold for a back roof sometimes has to go through the house or over a neighbour's garden. We explain the options before the job is booked so you know exactly how the work will be reached.
How we work
Call us and describe the problem. We will 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.
If you go ahead, we agree a start date and keep you informed. Payment only comes at the end, once you are completely satisfied with the work.
Why Horfield homeowners choose us
- Close by. Our Shirehampton base is a short drive across north Bristol.
- You pay when happy. We do not ask for payment until the job is finished to your satisfaction.
- Accredited team. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our roofers hold CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty backs our roofing work.
“Despite torrential rain, arrived on time and work was excellent!”
Getting to Horfield from Shirehampton
From West Town Road we cross north Bristol via Southmead or Henleaze to reach Gloucester Road. Horfield Common sits at the centre of the area, with the Memorial Stadium to the south, so most streets are easy to find from either landmark.
Next door, the Victorian terraces of Bishopston and the inter-war roads of Filton are also regular areas for our team.
Horfield roofing FAQs
Several slates have slipped on my terrace. Do I need a new roof?
Not necessarily. A few slipped slates can be refixed. If the problem is widespread, stripping and relaying the slope with new fixings may be better value, and we will advise honestly.
My back bedroom is damp near the ceiling. What could it be?
On a Horfield terrace, the joint between the outrigger roof and the main wall is a likely culprit. We can check the flashing and repair it if it has failed.
Do you repair chimney stacks?
Yes. Stacks can be repointed and given new lead flashing, and if one has become unsafe we can rebuild it.
Can you fit roof windows in a slate roof?
We can. We use flashing kits designed for slate so the window sits neatly and stays watertight.
Do you repair dormers?
Yes. We repair or replace the flat tops and cheeks of dormers and renew the flashing around them.
Can you work on a terrace with no rear access?
Usually, yes. We plan scaffold through the house or from the street, and we explain the arrangements before the job begins.
When do I pay?
Only once the job is finished and you are completely happy with it.
Is the quote free?
Yes. Every quote in Horfield is free and carries no obligation.
Can you replace the felt on my kitchen extension roof?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the boards underneath for rot. Once the deck is sound, we lay a new covering and renew the flashing where the roof meets the house.
Do you work on Pennant stone terraces?
We do. Pennant stone homes often have slate roofs and stone chimneys, and we match materials and use suitable mortar so repairs sit comfortably with the original work.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Horfield roof needs attention, we are close by and happy to help. Ring 07717 610410 or ask for a free quote.