A new roof can feel like a fresh start for your property – a clean slate, free from recurring leaks and constant repairs. But sometimes, that dream can be shattered when you notice water getting through your roof, despite it being just a matter of months old.
Don’t worry. You don’t necessarily have to fork out for more repairs. In this post, we’ll go through some of the steps you should take if your new roof is leaking.
Identifying the leak
If you suspect your new roof is leaking, the first step is to find out for sure. You wouldn’t want to go through the hassle of contacting your roofer for a false alarm – and it is possible.
If your old roof was leaking (often the case when roofs are replaced), you may have damp patches on your walls and ceilings from a previous leak. These patches can stick around, and you might not have noticed them until now.
Alternatively, you might have been well aware of the damp patches and redecorated after your roof was replaced to get rid of them. That’s not always enough to eliminate them though. If plaster and brickwork aren’t allowed to dry out fully before redecorating, moisture can stay in your wall or ceiling and show through new paint.
In short, a damp patch doesn’t always indicate that your new roof is leaking. It’s important to check whether your new roof is definitely leaking before getting in touch with the contractor that installed it. Even the friendliest roofers won’t take kindly to being called out for false alarms – and you always want to maintain a good relationship with your roofer.
Water dripping through your ceiling is an obvious sign, as well as darker damp patches which are clearly from a fresh leak. Alternatively, if it’s safe to access your loft or roof space, you can check for water getting in there to see the leak up close. Another test is to turn the lights off when it’s light outside and see if any daylight is passing through your roof – this is a tell-tale sign that there’s a break in your roof’s covering.
Why is it leaking?
There are a few reasons why a new roof could be leaking…
Poor workmanship
More often than not, a new roof that’s leaking has not been installed properly. Unfortunately, that doesn’t bode well for the repairs if your roofer comes back, though they might spend a bit more time on it to make sure future issues don’t occur.
Cutting corners
Alternatively, you might have agreed for your roofer to cut some corners to save money. Keeping old tiles or timbers, for instance, can shorten the lifespan of a new roof and cause issues sooner than you would expect them.
Nature
There are also some rare cases where nature can wreak havoc on a perfectly good roof. We’re not talking about heavy rain, which a new roof should be able to withstand. Instead, it’s those stray branches or other debris that can be carried by high wind and cause damage in a storm.
What can you do?
Minimise the damage
If your roof is leaking, the first step is always to minimise the damage caused by water getting in. If it’s a specific spot, place a bucket under the problem area to catch water as it comes in. Towels are also good for leaks around chimney breasts or splash zones around buckets you place down. Remember to replace buckets and towels as they become full or wet.
Contacting your roofer
Once you’re sure enough that your new roof is leaking, the best course of action is to contact the contractors that installed it. Firstly, because new roofs are usually guaranteed. Also known as a workmanship warranty, new roofs are typically covered for the first 5-10 years, so you can rest assured that roofers will be back in case any teething problems arise.
However, even without a guarantee, most roofers will feel morally obliged to sort out your roof – given that it’s their fault it’s leaking. After all, it’s their reputation on the line. In this case, a guarantee is just a formality to give you more assurance – it’s later on when it will become more important.
What if they don’t fix it?
Unfortunately, not all roofers have a commitment to high standards of roofing or customer care. Some will be difficult to contact, while others will refuse to fix their poor work without extra payment.
This is where your guarantee is crucial. Without it, that extra payment might be your only option to get your new roof fixed. However, we’d advise finding another, more reputable roofer to fix it if you’re going down this route. That way, you’re not throwing good money after bad.
If you do have a guarantee, the roofer in question is legally obliged to correct their poor work without extra cost. Before taking any other action, you must offer them the option to redo the work at their cost. As well as phoning them, be sure to send an email or letter so you have proof of correspondence in writing.
Getting in another roofer
If they decline or ignore you, it’s time to get another roofer in. Because the previous contractor has failed to honour a guarantee, you may be able to recoup some of the costs from them at a later date.
However, the current issue is fixing the leaking roof. Get a couple of inspections to assess the damage and quote for repairs, then pay a trusted roofer to fix it. You’ll then need to take the previous contractor to small claims court.
Roof repairs in Barnsley
With guarantees of up to 10 years on all new roofs, customers of DPR Roofing never have to worry about a leak on their roof replacement. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for every roofer in Barnsley and the surrounding areas.
If you need our help to remedy poor workmanship by another contractor, we’d be more than happy to help with long-lasting roof repairs. Call 01266 670 008 to arrange a quote or email [email protected].