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 leads a team of more than a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. This page sets out what we see on Yate roofs and how we can help with yours.
A new town now coming of age
Before the 1960s, Yate was a village of farms and stone cottages near Chipping Sodbury. Then came rapid expansion, as estates of semis and detached houses spread out around the new shopping centre. More building followed in later decades, and new developments are still going up on the edges of the town today.
Most homes from that main period of growth have concrete tiled roofs, often at a shallow pitch, with timber fascias and boarded gable ends. Many have attached garages and flat-roofed extensions. Older cottages around the original village carry clay tiles or stone slates, and they need a gentler approach.
What fifty years does to a roof
Concrete tiles from the 1960s and 1970s were built to last, and many are still keeping the rain out. But their surface has worn, and moss now grows readily in the rough texture. Mortar on ridges and verges has cracked and started to fall away, leaving tiles that can lift in strong wind.
Underneath, roofs of this age usually have bitumen felt rather than a breathable membrane. At the eaves, that felt often perishes, letting water run behind the gutter and into the fascia. Timber fascias and soffits from the original build are frequently rotten by now, even if fresh paint hides it.
Common roof problems in Yate
- Crumbling verge and ridge mortar on 1960s and 1970s homes.
- Moss on concrete tiles blocking gutters and downpipes.
- Rotten timber fascias behind the guttering.
- Leaking flat roofs on garages and extensions.
Loose verges and ridges are straightforward roof repairs, and a dry verge or dry ridge system is a good way to stop them failing again. Moss build-up is tackled by our roof moss removal service, which clears the tiles by hand and treats them. Leaking garage and extension roofs are handled by our flat roofing team.
Bringing a 1970s roof up to date
Many Yate roofs do not need replacing yet. Instead, a set of targeted upgrades can add years to their life. Dry verges and a dry ridge replace failing mortar with mechanical fixings that hold tiles firmly. Eaves protection under the bottom row of tiles stops water running behind the gutter.
Replacing rotten timber fascias and soffits with uPVC removes the need for painting and gives the roofline a clean finish. Done together, these jobs make an older roof far more reliable without the cost of a full re-roof.
When a new roof is the answer
Some roofs have gone past the point where upgrades make sense. Tiles crumble when handled, and the felt beneath has failed across the roof. In that case, a new roof with a breathable membrane and fresh tiles is better value in the long run. We look at the whole roof before advising and price both options where each is realistic.
Older cottages around the village
Stone cottages in the old parts of Yate need care. Roof timbers may have settled into gentle curves, and new work should follow those lines. Lime mortar is often the right choice on old stone chimneys, and we match tiles so repairs blend in.
Garage and extension roofs
Yate's estates are full of attached garages and flat-roofed kitchen extensions. Felt laid when they were built has usually given up by now, and many have been patched more than once. Cracks in the surface and puddles that linger after rain are the warning signs, followed by a damp patch on the ceiling below.
We replace these roofs properly. The old covering comes off so we can check the deck and swap any soft boards. Then the new covering is laid to a fall so water drains into the gutter. Finished edges and fresh flashing against the house wall complete the job.
How we work
Call us and describe what you have noticed. We will arrange a visit and inspect the roof, then explain what we find in plain language. A free written quote follows, setting out the work and the price.
If you go ahead, we agree a start date and keep you updated. You only pay when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Yate homeowners choose us
- South Glos coverage. Our Shirehampton base reaches Yate along the M4 and M5.
- Payment at the end. We only ask to be paid once you are happy with the work.
- Accredited roofers. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our team holds CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty backs our roofing.
“I had been victim of a rogue trader who had left my roof in an appalling state… Work was carried out by friendly, polite tradesmen to a high standard, and I had a check up visit from the boss a few days after.”
Getting to Yate from Shirehampton
We usually head up the M5 and across the M4, coming into Yate from the south, or cut through via Bradley Stoke. Yate Shopping Centre and the station make easy landmarks.
We also cover neighbouring Thornbury to the north and Bradley Stoke to the west.
Yate roofing FAQs
Is my 1970s roof due for replacement?
Often not. Many roofs of that age need upgrades such as dry verges and new fascias rather than a full re-roof. We will give you an honest view.
What is eaves protection?
It is a strip of material under the bottom row of tiles that carries water into the gutter, so it cannot run behind the fascia where old felt has perished.
Mortar is falling off my gable end. What should I do?
Have the verge checked. We can rebed it or fit a dry verge that holds the tiles mechanically.
Can you replace timber fascias with uPVC?
Yes. We replace fascias and soffits and fit new guttering at the same time if needed.
Do you clear moss from concrete tiles?
We do. We remove it by hand and treat the tiles, and we clean out the gutters during the same visit.
Can you replace my garage flat roof?
Yes. We strip the old covering 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 Yate is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Yate roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.