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 Long Ashton roofs and how we can help with yours.
A village beside Ashton Court
Long Ashton stretches along Long Ashton Road at the foot of the hill, with Ashton Court estate and its parkland on one side and fields rising towards Dundry on the other. The older part of the village has stone cottages and houses, some of them centuries old. Later building added Victorian villas and inter-war semis, and newer developments have followed.
Older properties often have clay tiles or natural slate on timbers that have settled over the years, with stone chimneys bedded in lime mortar. Newer homes usually carry concrete tiles, often with garages and extensions alongside.
Looking after old stone cottages
Traditional cottages need a sympathetic approach. Their roof lines are rarely perfectly straight, and new work should follow the existing shape rather than fight it. Stone chimneys are best repointed with lime mortar, which lets the stone breathe and moves with the building. Reclaimed tiles and slates can make a repair almost invisible.
Part of the village lies within a conservation area, and some buildings are listed. Like-for-like repairs are usually straightforward, while changes to materials or appearance may need consent from North Somerset Council. We are happy to explain what we propose and supply the details you may need.
Living among the trees
Long Ashton is surrounded by woodland and parkland, and many homes sit among mature trees. That greenery drops leaves into gutters and valleys each autumn and shades roofs, letting moss settle on the tiles. Moss lifts tile edges and washes into the gutters, blocking downpipes until water spills down the walls.
Clearing gutters after the leaves fall, and removing moss by hand before it builds up, keeps a shaded roof healthy without damaging the tiles.
Common roof problems in Long Ashton
- Slipped tiles and slates on older roofs where fixings have failed.
- Weathered stone chimneys needing repointing and new lead.
- Moss and blocked gutters under mature trees.
- Leaking flat roofs on extensions and garages.
Slipped tiles and blocked gutters are routine roof repairs for us. When an older roof has reached the end of its life, a new roof with fresh battens and a breathable membrane will protect the house for decades, using materials that suit the village. Moss build-up is handled by our roof moss removal service, which clears and treats the tiles by hand.
Newer homes and extensions
Inter-war and post-war homes in Long Ashton have their own needs. Concrete tiles weather and become porous over the decades, and mortar on ridges and verges cracks with age. Flat roofs on kitchen extensions and garages wear out faster than the main roof. Fitting a dry verge and ridge, along with fresh felt at the eaves, can keep these homes dry for many years.
Loft conversions and roof windows
Many Long Ashton homes have converted their lofts, and roof windows are a neat way to bring daylight into those rooms. We fit Velux windows into tiled and slate roofs with flashing kits that keep them watertight. In conservation areas, conservation-style roof windows that sit low against the roof can help keep the traditional look.
The Balloon Fiesta and summer weekends
Every August, Ashton Court hosts the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, and the roads around Long Ashton get very busy. Summer is also a popular time for planned roofing work, so it is worth bearing the event in mind when choosing dates. If you are thinking about a larger job, talk to us early in the year so we can book it in at a time that suits you.
Spring and summer suit bigger projects such as a full re-roof or a new flat roof on an extension, because longer and drier days make the work easier. Autumn is the time for a gutter clear-out after the leaves have fallen from the parkland trees.
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 Long Ashton homeowners choose us
- Just over the river. Our Shirehampton base is a short drive away.
- 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.
“They explained everything they would do. No money upfront (unusual these days)… Cleared up all old material and left the place clean. Had a revisit and check all was happy before paying.”
Getting to Long Ashton from Shirehampton
We cross the river at the Cumberland Basin and follow the A370 past Ashton Court, turning into the village on Long Ashton Road. The church and the shops along the road make easy landmarks.
We also cover neighbouring Backwell and, back towards the city, Bedminster.
Long Ashton roofing FAQs
Do you work on old stone cottages?
Yes. We follow the existing roof lines and match materials, using lime mortar on stone chimneys where it suits.
Do I need permission for roof repairs in the conservation area?
Like-for-like repairs usually do not. Changes to materials or appearance may, so check with the council. We can supply the details you need.
Can you clear moss from my roof?
We can. We remove moss by hand and treat the tiles, and we clean out the gutters during the same visit.
Can you fit roof windows in a conservation area?
We can fit conservation-style roof windows that sit low against the roof, subject to any consent your home needs.
My extension roof leaks. Can you replace it?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the deck before laying a new flat roof.
Do you repoint stone chimneys?
We do, using mortar that suits the stone, and we renew the lead flashing where the stack meets the roof.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Long Ashton is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Long Ashton roof needs attention, we are just over the river and happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or ask for a free quote.