A roof does not fail overnight: materials age in the sun and rain, joints open up, outlets get blocked and, little by little, the water finds a way in. Refurbishing it in time costs much less than repairing the damage it causes later on.
Signs that a roof needs refurbishing
- Leaks or damp on the top-floor ceilings.
- Cracks, blistering or deformation of the surface.
- Worn, cracked or debonded waterproofing.
- Broken, slipped or mossy tiles on pitched roofs.
- Top-floor homes that are very cold in winter or very hot in summer.
What refurbishment includes
Every roof is different, but a complete refurbishment usually includes:
- Repairing or strengthening the substrate and damaged elements.
- Renewing the waterproofing with the right system.
- Improving the thermal insulation.
- Checking and renewing outlets, gutters, parapets and flashings.
- A new finish or new floor tiles on accessible roofs.
Tiled roofs
On old roofs with traditional curved clay tiles we try to preserve their character: we strip the roof, salvaging all the sound tiles, repair the substrate, lay an underlay beneath the tiles and relay the original tiles, topping up with reclaimed tiles where any are missing.
Roof insulation
A large part of a building’s heat is lost through the roof in winter, and that is also where heat gets in during the summer. Improving its insulation reduces heating and air-conditioning consumption, prevents condensation and makes the top floors much more comfortable.
We work with rigid boards, sandwich-panel systems and sprayed insulation, choosing the solution according to the type of roof. We always combine it with waterproofing, so that the insulation does not get wet.
Roof maintenance
The best way to avoid refurbishing is to maintain. We recommend inspecting the roof at least once a year and after every storm. Maintenance includes:
- Checking the general condition and the waterproofing.
- Cleaning surfaces, outlets and gutters.
- Removing debris, leaves and vegetation.
- Checking joints, flashings and junctions.
- Repairing minor damage before it turns into a leak.
For owners’ associations (comunidades de propietarios), property managers (administradores de fincas) and businesses we organise maintenance on a regular basis. From Viladecavalls (Barcelona) we work across Spain and on international projects.
Have a similar project?
We visit you, assess the building and give you a detailed, no-obligation quote.
Frequently asked questions
What does roof maintenance include?
Checking the general condition, cleaning surfaces, outlets and gutters, removing debris and vegetation, checking the waterproofing and flashings, and repairing minor damage before it turns into a leak.
How is a tiled roof refurbished without losing the old tiles?
By carefully stripping the roof and salvaging all the sound tiles. Then the supporting elements are repaired or strengthened, an underlay is laid beneath the tiles and the original tiles are relaid, topping up with reclaimed tiles where any are missing.
Does roof insulation reduce energy consumption?
Yes. A large part of a building’s heat is lost through the roof, and that is also where heat gets in during the summer. Insulating it properly reduces heating and air-conditioning costs and makes the top-floor homes much more comfortable.
