We are JD Home Improvements, a family run roofing company on West Town Road in Shirehampton, a short drive from Lawrence Weston. Joe, our director, has over 20 years of roofing behind him, and he leads a team of more than a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. Below you can read about the roofs we see in Lawrence Weston and how we look after them.
Post-war homes on the hill
Most of Lawrence Weston was built in the late 1940s and 1950s, when Bristol needed new homes quickly after the war. That gave the area long streets of brick semis and terraces, along with maisonettes and plenty of garages grouped in blocks. Many homes have since gained a porch or an extension, each with a small roof of its own.
Main roofs here are mostly covered in concrete interlocking tiles. They were a sensible choice at the time, but seventy years on many have become porous and brittle. Underneath, the original felt or lack of any membrane can let wind-driven rain reach the timbers. Flat roofs on extensions and garages are often the first thing to fail.
Weather on the hill
Being higher than Shirehampton and open to the west, Lawrence Weston catches the wind coming in off the estuary. Gusts lift tiles at the eaves and verges, while rain finds its way under loose ridges. Trees around Blaise and Kings Weston shade some streets, and those roofs gather moss that blocks gutters every autumn.
Roof problems we fix in Lawrence Weston
- Leaking flat roofs on extensions and garages, where the old felt has split or pooled water.
- Slipped or cracked concrete tiles after windy weather, especially near the verges.
- Loose ridge tiles sitting on mortar that has crumbled over the decades.
- Overflowing gutters clogged with moss, sending water down the walls.
Slipped tiles and loose ridges are quick roof repairs in most cases. For a garage or extension roof that leaks every winter, our flat roofing service strips the old covering off and lays a new one built to last. Where rotten boards and split gutters are part of the problem, we replace them with low-maintenance uPVC fascias and guttering.
Living beside Blaise
Lawrence Weston is bordered by some of the best green space in Bristol. Blaise Castle estate lies to the east, and Kings Weston House looks out over the area from its wooded ridge. Living next to that much woodland is a real plus, but it brings leaves and seeds onto roofs and into gutters, and shade that lets moss settle on north-facing slopes.
Moss on its own rarely causes a leak. Trouble starts when thick clumps lift the edges of tiles and hold water against them through the winter. Later the moss washes down and blocks the gutters. We remove it by hand and treat the roof so it stays clear for longer, and we clean out the gutters while we are up there.
Homes on the more open streets face a different issue, which is wind. Tiles on exposed verges and ridges need to be properly fixed, and when we replace any we use clips and modern fixings so they stay put.
When a new roof makes more sense
Some Lawrence Weston roofs have reached the point where repairs only buy a little time. Tiles crumble when you touch them, and the battens underneath have gone soft with no breathable membrane to protect the loft. In that situation we will explain the case for a full re-roof and give you a clear price for both options so you can compare.
We never push a bigger job than the roof needs. If a repair will give you good years, that is what we recommend, and we will tell you roughly how long we expect it to last.
How a job runs
You call and tell us what is happening. We visit to inspect the roof, then explain what we find in plain language. You get a free written quote, and if you decide to go ahead we book a date that suits you.
Once the work is done we walk round it with you. Payment is only due when you are completely satisfied with the finished roof.
Why Lawrence Weston homeowners choose us
- Just down the hill. Our base in Shirehampton is a few minutes from any street in Lawrence Weston.
- You pay at the end. We only ask for payment once you are happy with the job.
- Accredited roofers. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and the team holds CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty on our roofing work.
“Excellent and professional work carried out. The workmanship was excellent and to a high grade. Joe and his men made a fine job, stress free.”
Getting to you from Shirehampton
From West Town Road we head up Kings Weston Lane or Long Cross, and within a few minutes we are at the shops on Ridingleaze. That makes Lawrence Weston one of the closest areas to our base, so a visit is easy to arrange.
Our vans are just as familiar in nearby Henbury, on the far side of Blaise, and down by the docks in Avonmouth.
Lawrence Weston roofing FAQs
Can you replace the flat roof on my garage?
Yes. We strip the old covering and check the deck underneath before laying a new flat roof. Many garages in block rows have their own small roof, and we can quote for yours on its own.
My concrete tiles look faded and chalky. Do they need replacing?
Not always. Faded tiles can still keep water out. We check whether they have become porous or brittle before suggesting anything more than a repair.
Do you work on maisonettes and flats?
We do, provided the right permissions are in place. Some blocks are managed by a landlord or housing association, so it is worth checking who is responsible for the roof first.
Can you fix gutters that keep overflowing?
Yes. Blockages get cleared and sagging runs realigned, and where sections are cracked or split we replace them, or the whole gutter line if it has had its day.
When is payment due?
Only when the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Quotes in Lawrence Weston are free and carry no obligation.
How do I know if my roof needs replacing rather than repairing?
Tiles that crumble when handled are one sign, and damp spreading across the loft timbers is another. A sagging roofline usually points to tired battens or rafters underneath. We will check all of that and give you an honest view, with prices for repair and replacement if both are realistic.
Do you remove moss from roofs near Blaise?
Yes. Shaded roofs near the woods are some of the mossiest we see. We clear it by hand and treat the tiles, cleaning out the gutters in the same visit.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Lawrence Weston roof needs attention, we are just down the hill and happy to help. Ring 07717 610410 or ask for a free quote.