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. This page explains what we see on Kingswood roofs and how we can help with yours.
From mining village to busy suburb
Kingswood grew as a mining and boot-making community long before it joined the city's sprawl. Many of its older homes are Victorian and Edwardian terraces built from local Pennant stone, usually with slate roofs and chimney stacks shared between neighbours. Some cottages are older still, with roof lines that have settled over the years.
In the twentieth century, large estates filled the land around the old village, mostly inter-war semis and post-war council housing. Those homes mostly carry concrete tiled roofs, and many have extensions or garages with flat roofs of their own.
What we see on Kingswood roofs
Older slate roofs here suffer from nail sickness, where the iron nails rust through and slates slip one by one. Shared chimney stacks lose their pointing until the lead flashing around them gives up. On post-war homes, concrete tiles become porous and brittle with age, and ridge tiles bedded in mortar work loose.
Flat roofs are a constant theme. Felt over kitchen extensions and garages cracks and blisters after a couple of decades, and once water gets beneath it the timber deck starts to rot.
Common roof problems in Kingswood
- Slipped slates on older terraces where nails have corroded.
- Porous concrete tiles on post-war homes.
- Leaking flat roofs on extensions and garages.
- Worn chimney stacks with failing flashing.
Slipped slates and loose tiles are everyday roof repairs for us. Leaking extension and garage roofs are a job for our flat roofing team, who strip the old felt and lay a modern covering. Where boards have rotted and gutters leak, we fit new uPVC fascias and guttering that will not need painting again.
Repair first, replace when it makes sense
Our first question is always whether a repair will do the job. A few slipped tiles and a loose ridge on an otherwise sound roof are best repaired. When tiles crumble at the touch and the battens beneath have softened, replacement becomes the better value.
Where both are realistic, we price them side by side and explain how long we would expect each to last. That way you make the decision with the facts in front of you, without any pressure from us.
Pennant stone terraces
Kingswood's stone terraces need a careful approach. Chimneys and parapets built from Pennant stone are best repointed with a mortar that suits the stone. Lead flashings should be cut neatly into the mortar joints rather than stuck to the face of the stone. When slates are replaced, we match them in size and colour so a repair blends in with the original roof.
Rear outriggers are common here too, each with its own small roof. The joint where that roof meets the main wall is a frequent source of damp in back bedrooms, and we check it as a matter of course on any terrace we visit.
Moss and gutters
Kingswood has plenty of trees, from Kings Chase to the parks and gardens around the town. Shaded roofs grow moss that holds water against the tiles, and leaves fill gutters each autumn. Clearing both keeps rainwater flowing off the roof and away from the walls.
Hilltop weather
Kingswood sits on high ground east of the city, and some streets are exposed to wind from several directions. Ridge tiles and verges take the brunt of it, and older mortar bedding gives way after years of weather. When we refix tiles in exposed spots, we use clips and mechanical fixings, and a dry ridge or dry verge system can stop the problem returning.
Exposure also dries out felt flat roofs faster in summer, so extension roofs on higher streets can wear out sooner than those in sheltered spots. We will tell you honestly how much life your flat roof has left when we look at it.
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 without jargon. 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 Kingswood homeowners choose us
- Bristol based. Our Shirehampton base gives us easy reach across the city.
- 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.
“From start to finish they were polite, reliable and punctual. JD's quote was a good price and a clear solution… Team who did work were pleasant, efficient and tidy.”
Getting to Kingswood from Shirehampton
We cross the city via the ring road or come through Fishponds and Staple Hill to reach Regent Street. Kings Chase and the Kingswood Heritage Museum are handy landmarks.
We also work regularly in neighbouring Staple Hill and out towards Pucklechurch.
Kingswood roofing FAQs
My slate roof is losing slates. Does it need replacing?
Not necessarily. A few slipped slates can be refixed. If it is happening across the roof, a strip and relay may be the better choice, and we will advise honestly.
My garage roof leaks. Should I repair or replace it?
If the felt is old and cracked across the roof, replacement usually makes more sense. We check the deck and give you an honest recommendation.
Do you work on Pennant stone houses?
We do. We use mortar that suits the stone and match slates so repairs sit comfortably with the original work.
Can you replace rotten fascias?
Yes. We replace rotten timber with uPVC and can fit new guttering at the same time.
Do you clear moss from roofs?
Yes. We remove it by hand and treat the tiles, and we clear the gutters while we are on the roof.
Do you repair shared chimney stacks?
We do, and we are happy to explain the work to neighbours who share the stack.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are completely happy with it.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Kingswood is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Kingswood roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or ask for a free quote.