Roofs are the reason we have buildings...

At the risk of sounding soft, my cold surveyor’s heart can occasionally be melted by something consistently undervalued and neglected….

Yes, the roof is something that we build, forget and only tend to remember when something goes wrong.

However, roofs are actually the reason we have buildings.  Because before we had a need for en-suite bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes, streaming sound systems or basement cinemas, we just wanted shelter.  And the best looking properties in the world wouldn’t provide it without anything to keep the rain out.

But as our love affair with property has grown, we’ve got so immersed with its potential to amuse, impress and assist us that we’ve forgotten that the original purpose of walls was simply to hold-up the roof.

Perhaps it’s because we can’t easily see it, but once a roof is constructed and it works, we tend to ignore it.  Like the engine in a car, the hard drive in a computer or the spokes of an umbrella, roofs only tend to get discussed when things go wrong.

As a surveyor, my mission in life is to avoid things going wrong.  I’m constantly aware that a damaged roof can create mayhem.  I’ve encountered many residents who will happily invest hundreds of thousands of pounds into the refurbishment of the internal common parts of a building, but will resent a small piece of maintenance at the very top of their building.

So I spend a lot of time on top of buildings looking down, trying to ensure that the worst doesn’t come to the worst.

As a result, I have put together Earl Kendrick’s TOP TEN TIPS to make the most of your roof and these are contained in this month’s edition of Flat Living Magazine (see our Press page for a copy).

We have also put together Earl Kendrick’s Guide to Roof Replacement, which is available from the Downloads section of our website.

If you are suffering from a small leak, or contemplating major roof replacement works and require surveying expertise, please do not hesitate to give me call.

Julian Davies MRICS– 0203 667 1510
Managing Director