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 leads a team of over a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. This page explains what we see on Keynsham roofs and how we can help with yours.
An old town that kept growing
Keynsham has been a market town for centuries, and the ruins of its medieval abbey sit beside the park. Along the High Street and Temple Street, Georgian and Victorian buildings carry clay tile and slate roofs, some with parapets and hidden gutters. Behind them, Victorian terraces and villas spread up the slopes.
After the war, and especially in the 1960s and 1970s, large estates were built around the town as Keynsham grew into a popular place to live between the two cities. Those homes mostly have concrete tiled roofs with garages and flat-roofed extensions. More recently, the Somerdale development on the old chocolate factory site has added hundreds of modern homes.
Period roofs in the town centre
Older buildings near the High Street need careful work. Slate roofs suffer from nail sickness as their original fixings rust through, and clay tile roofs can lose tiles as their nibs and nails fail. Parapet gutters behind front walls collect leaves and silt, and when the outlet blocks, water rises over the lead and into the building.
Chimney stacks on these older homes have weathered for a long time. Their mortar wears away until the lead flashing lifts, letting water down inside the chimney breast. Repointing and fresh lead usually put things right.
Mid-century estates
Keynsham's 1960s and 1970s homes have roofs that are now fifty years old or more. Their concrete tiles have weathered and the mortar ridges have cracked. At the eaves, perished felt often lets water run behind the gutter.
Many of these roofs can be brought up to date without a full replacement. Dry verge and dry ridge systems fix the tiles mechanically, while eaves protection carries water safely into the gutter. Rotten timber fascias can be swapped for uPVC at the same time. Where the tiles themselves have failed across the roof, a new roof becomes the better choice.
Common roof problems in Keynsham
- Slipped slates and tiles on older town centre roofs.
- Blocked parapet gutters behind front walls.
- Crumbling verge mortar on 1960s and 1970s homes.
- Leaking flat roofs over garages and extensions.
Slipped slates and blocked gutters are routine roof repairs for us. When an older roof has worn out, a new roof with a breathable membrane will protect the house for decades. Garage and extension roofs that leak are a job for our flat roofing team.
Conservation area care
Keynsham's historic centre lies within a conservation area, and some buildings are listed. Like-for-like repairs with matching materials are usually straightforward, while changes to how a roof looks may need consent from Bath and North East Somerset Council. We are happy to explain what we propose and supply details of the materials we plan to use.
Newer homes at Somerdale
Homes at Somerdale and other recent developments may still be covered by a builder's warranty for some faults. If something goes wrong on a newer roof, check the warranty first. For anything it does not cover, such as storm damage to a few tiles or a blocked gutter, we are happy to help.
Riverside damp and moss
Keynsham sits where the Chew joins the Avon, and the river valleys keep the air damp for long spells in winter. North-facing slopes stay wet, and moss settles readily on tiles and slates. Over time it lifts tile edges and washes into the gutters, where it blocks the downpipes.
Clearing moss by hand and treating the roof slows regrowth without damaging the surface. A gutter clean at the same visit keeps rainwater flowing away from the walls. Homes near the Memorial Park and the riverside paths, surrounded by mature trees, benefit most from a yearly check.
How we work
Ring 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. Payment is only due when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Keynsham homeowners choose us
- Bristol based. Our Shirehampton base gives us easy reach to Keynsham via the ring road.
- Pay when happy. We only ask for payment once you are satisfied with the finished job.
- 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.
“Replaced flat roof with new slate roof. I think the new roof is of better quality than the one on my house. Completed in record time. Polite, hardworking staff.”
Getting to Keynsham from Shirehampton
We cross south Bristol via the ring road and follow the A4 towards Bath, turning into Keynsham near the Memorial Park. The High Street and the park make easy landmarks.
We also work in Kingswood to the north and across south Bristol in Bedminster.
Keynsham roofing FAQs
Do you work on period buildings near the High Street?
Yes. We match slates and tiles and keep original features where they are sound, so repairs suit the building.
Water is coming in near my front wall. What could it be?
If your building has a parapet, a blocked or split gutter behind it is a likely cause. We can clear it and reline it if needed.
Does my 1970s roof need replacing?
Often not. Upgrades such as dry verges and new fascias can extend its life. We give you an honest view after looking at it.
My new build at Somerdale has a roof problem. Can you help?
Check your builder's warranty first. If the fault is not covered, we are happy to look at it.
Do you repair chimney stacks?
We do. We repoint stacks and renew lead flashing, rebuilding the top courses where needed.
Can you replace my garage roof?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the deck before laying a new flat roof.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Is the quote free?
Yes. Every quote in Keynsham is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Keynsham roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.