Latest News

Maintenance and Protection tips for commercial roofing

Commercial roofing is an investment if done properly. It can give you years of maintenance free security, and will protect your buildings from rain, wind and other elements for many years. With regular maintenance minor issues can be resolved before they lead to major damage. There are several factors that need to be considered when maintaining and protecting a commercial roofing.

Weather Problems
Check for problems after extreme weather as rain damage such as standing water, can cause serious problems. If this is the case, flashing can be used to stop water and protects the structure of the wall and cover. Other than looking, always use a professional to carry out the work.

Regular Inspections
Inspections should be done at regular intervals in order to keep your roof in a good condition. Get any damaged areas repaired as soon as possible. Consult an experienced roofing contractor and get the best advice for your roof.

Water Damage
Water inside the roof can cause staining and discolour walls. Remove dirt and gravel as it can retain water which in turn can cause moisture and lead to serious damage. Remember, this is not curing the problem so seek professional advice.

Excess Light
Too much sunlight can affect commercial roofing in summers. Single ply and coating can protect the roof from damage as it helps decrease roof temperatures in the summer months.

Common causes of roof failure & the way we deal with them

Your homes Roofing is critical but can cause pain and expense if it fails prematurely. Although there is an expected lifespan for a roof, you can extend this with professional help. The 2 main causes for the early demise of a roof are either natural problems or installation/repairs by inexperienced professionals. We have been in the business since 1989 and are experienced in tackling almost any roofing problem – domestic or commercial. Here are some of the more common examples we come across:

Poor installation/repair
Having a installation / repair almost always leads to the early demise of the roof. Poorly installed products can give homeowners huge stress and leave them with no choice but resolving the issues at their own expense. We only install products we know, trust and are trained on.

Not having appropriate material
Great roofs require both conscientious installation and use of good materials. All of our jobs are carried out by roofers who are CSCS qualified and we use either traditional or modern high-tech materials depending on the requirement of the job. We work with the top companies like Marks & Spencer, Fort Dunlop, Sytner BMW, Rolls-Royce Rybrook as well as a number of historical churches and schools. We guarantee our work so you have peace of mind with your investment.

Don’t fall victim to these avoidable roofing problems. Let Superseal handle your roofing problems in Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Great Barr and surrounding areas.

Top Tips for Choosing a Roofing Contractor

If you are looking for a roofing contractor there are things to look out for and questions to ask that can help you make a good decision.

Any work to your property that involves significant outlay, time, and inconvenience should be a good investment – and for that you need to be sure you have the right team on board. Not all roofing contractors are reliable or will afford your job the care and attention it requires, but it can be hard to know for sure if you’ve found a reputable company before work begins. Thankfully with a bit of common-sense analysis there are some pointers that can act as a guide and help you make a more informed decision.

Our Top Tips are:

  • Make sure all work is guaranteed. Any good roofing contractor will have the confidence of an insurance backer and confidence in their own work, and will therefore be offering a service that is guaranteed.
  • Check who will be carrying out the work and only consider companies who use their own employees – this ensures accountability and quality control, as no firm can guarantee the workmanship of third party contractors.
  • Always ensure the firm carries public liability insurance, and a handy tip is to look out for £10m plus insurance as this is a sign the company is approved for work on schools and/or council properties.
  • The roofing contractor should be VAT registered.
  • If a contractor does not guarantee their work ask why – and if you have any doubts about their credibility, move on before any work begins.

Remember that making a poorly informed decision could lead to costly and avoidable repairs, so make sure you’re clued up before you begin.

Look for an established firm that meets the points above, and who in addition can provide references, recommendations, and full transparency. Get in touch with us at Superseal if you want to start your search with a roofing contractor that ticks all these boxes and more.

With a good roofing service, a leaky roof doesn’t have to mean a new roof

Roofs in our climate are subject to all kinds of weather throughout the year. From strong winds, rain, and hail, to freezing temperatures and then very hot temperatures. It’s no wonder that a construction like your roof, exposed to these challenges day after day may occasionally need some professional attention.

Roofs do leak from time to time, but if you discover a water incursion, don’t panic – there’s a good chance that with an expert roofing service, such as from Superseal, you can fix the problem, and won’t need a whole new roof.

If you find a leak in your roof:

Don’t: ignore it and hope it’ll go away. It won’t. And there are significant risks to you home attached to having moisture coming into the structure.

Only a professional roofer should work on your roof – unless you have the required skillset, roofing is not usually appropriate for DIY.

Do: find a reputable builder or roofer to assess the problem. Chances are work to the localised area will resolve the issue.

Many leaks are caused by tile displacement, so if you spot a tile on the ground, or even just after a particularly winding night, make sure you check for the chance to catch the problem straight away.

Finding the right roofer

Whatever your roofing problem, you need to find a contractor. Look for a company that is well established and can demonstrate a track record of quality work in your area.

Superseal are roofing and security specialists, and we provide the services that can get your roof back into top condition. We have been roofing locally since 1989, and bring a qualified and experienced team to every job.

Get in touch to find out more. Our team are happy to discuss any roofing problem with you, and a quick assessment will tell us how much work is needed.

Don’t Let The Rot Set in: Why It’s so Important to Check and Repair Your Roof

Dry rot is a good example of why it’s vital that homeowners and businesses take roofing seriously and conduct regular checks.

We know that as a roofer with many clients in the Lichfield, Solihull, and Sutton Coldfield areas, we do tend to go on a bit on this subject, but when it comes to rot caused by a leaking roof, we can illustrate perfectly the dangers of neglect.

What is dry rot?

  • Dry rot is a wood eating fungus that thrives where there is food (wood) and water (such as from a leaky roof).
  • Its name can be misleading because like all fungus and mould growths, dry rot does require moisture to grow.
  • Dry rot needs wood that is just damp to the touch to grow – a small sustained leak in your roof could provide the perfect conditions.
  • Spores are everywhere in wood and air of your loft or attic.

And why should I be so worried?

Dry rot is so destructive because it breaks down the fibres of the wood it consumes, totally destroying the structure of the timber – not good news where houses have timber supporting structure in the roof.

But dry rot can also spread throughout your home. Growing at an astonishing rate the fungus can send out fine fungal strands that will penetrate the fabric of your home, including brickwork.

How can it be stopped?

Only removing the source of moisture will stop the fungus, and then you’re left with the remedial work, replacing woodwork and treating infected areas.

Simply by ensuring your roof is watertight you can avoid the destructive potential of dry rot altogether – so make sure you start checking you roof, tiles and surrounding brickwork today.

If you want a roofer for professional advice, repair or other roofing work, Superseal are local roofers, established in Lichfield, Solihull, and Sutton Coldfield.

A Guide to Flat Roofing for Your Home

Roofs form an integral part of every building. It supports your home structure and gives it the necessary architectural support. They should act as a reliable shelter for buildings and provide a protective shield. There are different types of roofs, namely:

  • Pitched
  • Low-pitched
  • Flat

The basic structural system of any building tends to have a flat roofing system that can vary from approx 5 to 10 degrees. In other words this is the type of roofing most houses will use. It drains well and looks good too.

Flat roofs are highly suitable for the areas where there is hot and arid climate but can also be found in the UK. This results in keeping the building neat and dry all the season. People choose flat roofing systems for different reasons and can use built up roofs, modified bitumen, and membrane roofs.

Benefits of Flat Roofing:

Flat Roofing may provide its users with numerous benefits for home buildings such as:

  • It is extremely reasonable or affordable
  • It takes minimal workmanship or support to install for any kind of building or structure.
  • It is safe and secure to use for children and could be easily modified.
  • It may input flexible architectural design or set-up.
  • It offers a real worth for your time and money.
  • It requires minimal up keep or maintenance.

If you are looking to install an attractive yet solid flat roof design for your home, ensure that you engage a good roofing contractor. The engineer you hire for the install, repair or replacement of the roofing system must be skilled in order to give you the desired structural set-up and all at a reasonable price!

At 1st Choice Superseal Ltd we aim to provide our clients with a professional service that provides your home with a secure roofing solution. We install the best solutions to flat or pitched roofing in order to match your requirements.

Flat_Roofing

DIY – Glass Reinforced Plastic(GRP) roofing

A bit more about GRP roofing
If you have a flat roof you may have heard about GRP roofing. GRP stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic and is a small revolution in roofing for all kinds of roof.
Superseal have been providing all kinds of roofing to Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, and customers further afield for many years, and we see an increasing interest in this form of roofing, which can deliver durability and flexibility like no other material.
GRP might seem to be the natural solution for flat roofs – which have a legitimate reputation for being tricky to keep watertight using traditional methods – but this system can also have benefits for pitched roofs, and its ability to mimic other materials means its use is becoming more widespread.
GRP can be used to look like a traditional tiled or lead roof, is available in a range of colours and can be used to roof areas that include irregular features, such as balconies, or roof windows. Continue reading DIY – Glass Reinforced Plastic(GRP) roofing

When Should I worry about my Roof?

It’s so easy to take your roof for granted. Despite all kinds of weather in the Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and surrounding areas, it performs numerous vital functions, and most days of the year you don’t even have to think about it. Your roof protects your home from water and keeps it secure, it helps keep your family warm and dry, and protects the integrity of the structure from damp too. Continue reading When Should I worry about my Roof?