If you have fallen into a position where you are worrying about your roofline then it is more than probable that your attention has been drawn to a problem that has set in. ‘How long will it last?’ maybe a question that lingers unanswered. Another, more concerning is ‘Is any damage being done now?’ is often one that will always be a certain ‘Yes’ in every case.
Truth is, Roofline should be water tight and solid. It is something that should be well and truly relied upon throughout the year – every year. If replacing fascia’s is daunting at present and you need to buy some time, whether you are waiting for it to be the ‘summer job’, or are just wondering on how a roofline will weather throughout the seasons – this brief breakdown can provide you with some insight.
SPRING
Positives – A fantastic time to undertake the project, as the fascias and guttering will have had the brunt of the winter. Any problems noticed in the year before will have been worsened over the months so leaving it any longer would be needless. Days are now longer and the temperatures during the day are not soaring.
Negatives – Birds are now starting to nest, so any exposures in your Roofline will be at threat. Felt can be damaged and any carcasses left behind will spread decay and attract vermin to the same area. If replacement uPVC fascias and bird comb are not installed then be prepared for the little early bird who catches the worm and wakes you up!
On a more serious note – You CANNOT commence work on roofline where nests are active and it is against the law to destroy eggs and young birds in the process. Even going near them can disrupt the bond between the young and parents. Replacing roofline should not be undertaken after birds have nested – so take a good look and listen well.
Rain is coming back with the April showers so any rot or flaking wood will be exposed. The damp mornings after the frosts will settle in every possible crevasse and linger for long periods of time. Gutter leaks return and, as always, roofline with brittle felt ends will be at risk.
SUMMER
Positives – The ideal time for everyone to start making improvements. The risk of rain is very low and the days are longer than at any point of the year. Working with uPVC is easiest as it is not as brittle as it would be in winter. Just make sure enough time is set-aside for it and no one wants you to do other things with the best days of the year!
Negatives – Wasps! Nests are made in mid – late spring and are near on impossible to stop. If one is found then it s best to call in a company or council to remove it as attempting it on a ladder is not recommended. An angered nest can become a very difficult situation to get away from whilst descending a ladder with care.
Birds are well and truly settled. Some nests can easily fill a plastic shopping bag – so that weight on top of felt or soffit can be very damaging. Decay and carcasses are left behind.
AUTUMN
Positives – Nests are emptying and wasps are getting docile. In my experience this is the second best time of the year to install replacement fascias. Temperatures are cooler, holidays are over and days are still relatively longer.
Negatives – Rain is a more common occurrence now, leaving rot and flaking paint exposed to the elements. Remains of infestations and nests can, in some cases, smelt through the walls. In more extreme cases of nesting there can be leaks into the interior walls where the birds have pecked through the felt or the weight of the nest has burst through. Winter is weeks ahead and a handful of weekends in which to do it in. This is the last chance so do not leave it any longer. Problems in the winter will be extreme and difficult to amend without experienced and professional help.
WINTER
Positives – In my experience – there are none.
Negatives – Water that is held in the gutters will freeze, adding incredible weight to badly fitted gutters. It has been known for cast iron and asbestos gutters to literally fall off in huge lengths because of being over-encumbered. Water expands while it freezes and can break gutter by the movement alone.
Tiles bear the weather and can become brittle and shale. When this happens, any water that gets inside and onto the felt can then enter the house and interior walls if the felt has the very slightest of punctures.
Rotted wood is a major weakness and extra weight of snow on tiles will definitely make the fascia droop – effectively making the gutter falls redundant for those spring showers. Although you see very little gutter leaks, this is the very season that creates them.
Nights are the shortest and even if any work is undertaken then it is highly recommended that no ladders are used in any way, shape or form. NEVER place a ladder on a frozen, icy floor and expect the reach the very top. Do not attempt to pour warm or hot water over an area where one will stand either. In my experience I have watched and seen warm water turn back into ice within a couple of minutes. Also, snow that attaches itself to the bottom of shoes will be passed onto the ladder rungs when climbed and with ice over, making every ladder run more slippery than a frozen, glazed lake.
Plain and simple, do not undertake any work in the winter unless you are a professional. Not even on scaffold. As mentioned earlier – spring is, in my opinion, the best time of year and it is only just around the corner – making it worth the wait.
If you would like a Free Quote on the work do it now, while you are thinking about it & before something else comes up & distracts you. Call Simon 01603-261481
