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The Lowdown on Roofing Battens

Roofing is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. In fact, many accidents and injuries take place when cowboy builders and DIY hopefuls try to carry out roofing work without the experience or knowledge that is required.

Here at Valent Roofing, we believe that every property owner should always consult the help of a professional when it comes to roofing related queries. After all, guesswork almost always leads to mistakes! Read on to find out everything you need to know about roofing battens…

Definition

Also known as roofing lath, batten are horizontal slats of timber that provide a fixing point for a roofing material to be applied to. They are incredibly important in creating rigidity and supporting a roofing material which is why they should be installed by an experienced roofer who knows what they are doing.

Underlay

Although battens are important, an underlay should be installed first in order to provide a waterproof barrier between the property and the roofing material. In addition to this, they also add an extra layer of insulation that can improve energy efficiency. After the underlay layer has been applied, roofing battens can be installed on top using a nail that is at least 65mm in length.

Spacing

Since battens play such an important role in the overall appearance and weather protection of a roof, it is important to ensure that they are correctly sized and spaced before they are installed. The spacing, however relies on the span of the rafter and the material that is going to be mounted on top of them so there isn’t a one-glove-fits-all rule to follow. With this said, the guidelines suggest that they should be at least 1.2 metres long.

Roofing battens play an important role in the structure of a roof which is why they have to be installed using the correct materials and methods. After all, missing them out completely will deem a roof unsafe! As the experts in everything industrial roofing, the Valent Roofing team can help you with any questions you may have regarding battens. Get in contact today to find out more information!

The Benefits of a Flat Roof

In the roofing industry, flat roofing tends to have a bad reputation. After all, it is an untraditional design that can go either way depending on the building you are dealing with. In fact, warehouses and factories are often topped with a flat roof due to the sheer enormity of them, however, statistics show that more residential properties are beginning to invest in them too. Here are a few benefits that a flat roof can provide…

Energy Efficiency

The design of a flat roof means that there is less empty space for energy to be lost through. After all, a pitched roof, such as those found in traditional residential homes, comes with an attic and this space is where most heat is lost. Luckily, a flat roof turns a property into a rectangular shape which makes it much easier to heat and cool.

Versatile

A flat roof that is well reinforced can be utilised in a range of different ways. For example, the space can be turned into a garden, pool or even a place to store solar panels in order to generate environmentally friendly energy. In addition to this, there are dozens of different materials to choose from when it comes to flat roofing, only adding to the versatility of the roofing type.

Maintenance

Flat roofing may be vulnerable to damage such as pooling, however, they are incredibly easy to maintain. After all, they can be accessed very simply without the need for ladders, which means that property owners are less likely to put off maintenance and servicing requirements, therefore ensuring that any repairs are taken care of swiftly.

Although flat roofing is often overlooked in comparison to a traditional pitched roof, the experts suggest that they show great promise when it comes to longevity. In fact, a well-maintained flat roof can last for half a century, which makes them an incredibly cost effective investment! To find out more information, get in contact with the industrial roofing experts at Valent Roofing today.

How Roofing Maintenance Saves Money

The benefits of maintenance in every industry cannot be overstated. After all, routine servicing is a fool proof way to ensure that any problems are found and dealt with in a timely manner. Here at Valent Roofing we believe that maintenance is not only important, it can help you save money too. Read on to find out how…

Ventilation

Taking care of your roof involves more than the basics if you want to keep in it good condition for many years. In fact, many property owners tend to forget about ventilation because they think that it won’t extend the lifespan of their roof. In actual fact, heat and moisture will build up in your roof if you don’t invest in high quality ventilation and this can actually cause the materials to degrade much quicker, thus requiring costly repairs on a regular basis, whereas focusing on ventilation during maintenance will ensure that your roof stays in good condition.

Repairs

Maintenance is not only necessary to handle problematic areas of your roof, it is also there to ensure that any subtle repairs are carried out too. After all, a small problem can become a big problem if it is left to develop without being assessed by a professional. In addition to this, smaller problems are often more cost effective to fix which means that repairing them sooner rather than later can save you money in the long-term.

Longevity

A roof is a long term investment which means that it is in your best interest to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Many roofs require replacing before they have reached their guarantee due to a lack of maintenance and negligence which is why it is important to ensure that you provide your roof with the best care. After all, the last thing you want to be told is that you have to fork out for a full roof replacement.

As the experts in industrial roofing, the team here at Valent Roofing urge every property owner to invest in routine roofing maintenance. After all, a neglected roof is not only going to deteriorate, any issues you cannot continue to ignore will be very expensive to fix. To find out more information, get in contact with a member of the Valent Roofing team today!

Spotting a Roofing Conman

Here at Valent Roofing we believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that our clients are happy with their roofing results. After all, there are many cowboy builders that give legitimate roofers a bad reputation in order to make a quick buck. If you are considering having some repairs carried out on your roof it is important that you carry out some research before you hand over your hard earned cash. Here are a few ways to spot a roofing conman…

Documentation

When you a hire a roofer to carry out paid work it is important that you ensure they know what they are talking about as many conmen will learn the basics in order to sound convincing. If you have any doubts then you should ask the company for any relevant documentation that could help provide legitimacy. In addition to this, you should never hand over cash until the work has been completed as many cowboy builders will ask for full upfront payment then vanish without carrying out the job.

Reviews

Another way you can ensure that a company is qualified enough to carry out a particular job is to look at their reviews. After all, these will be able to tell you whether or not you should place your trust in a roofer or not as reviews from legitimate customers are often honest and straight to the point. A collection of negative reviews may be all the warning you need to find an alternative company to carry out the work.

Case Study

Most of the time it is vulnerable members of society who fall victim to cowboy builders. In fact, a 51 year old man from Birmingham was jailed in July 2018 after stealing hundreds of pounds from an elderly woman and telling her he would carry out repairs on her roof before disappearing without a trace. Police were able to track down the conman using CCTV and he was found guilty of fraud. In order to ensure that you aren’t victim of a similar type of crime, it is important that you carry out the checks above to help ease any suspicions.

The majority of roofers are qualified enough to carry out high quality work on your roof however there will always be those willing to tear down the entire industry and give us a bad name which is why the team here at Valent Roofing have put this blog together. After all, we are the industrial roofing experts that you can place your trust in! To find out more information about our credentials, get in contact with a member of the team today!

How Summer Can Affect Your Roof

Despite the increase in temperatures and social acceptance of spending an entire Sunday in a beer garden, summer can be a rather problematic season for roofing maintenance. After all, unusually high temperatures bring about a range of problems that you don’t have to deal with during winter. As the experts in the industry, the team here at Valent Roofing are on hand to help you with any woes and worries you may have about summer roofing care. Read on to find out more…

Moss Growth

Summer offers the optimum conditions for moss and algae to survive and thrive and this means that your roof can end up becoming a home to it. The issue with this is that moss is water based which means that the excess moisture can wreak havoc on your roofing materials and cause it to deteriorate. In fact, if you don’t keep on top of it then the only thing that may remove it is a pressure washer.

UV Rays

With global warming on the rise, summers are getting hotter than ever which means that many roofing materials become vulnerable. In fact, shingles are known to dry out and crack whereas metal roofing can warp under the intense UV rays. It is important that you regularly inspect your roof during summer for signs of heat related damage as it can lead to further problems such as leaking.

Unpredictable Weather

Whilst the summer season is known for heat waves, it is also possible for the odd storm to hit too. In fact, unpredictable weather conditions like strong winds and heavy rainfall can be much more damaging in summer than other seasons because they are overdue. This means that it is important to keep your roof healthy, so it isn’t vulnerable. If a summer storm takes place, it is important to have your roof inspected afterwards.

Owning a property comes with a range of responsibilities in order to keep it in tip top condition. In fact, the roof is considered the most important aspect of a building and maintaining it throughout summer is just as important as it is during winter. To find out more information, get in contact with the industrial roofing experts at Valent Roofing today to find out more information!

Maintaining an Industrial Roof

Often found within warehouse and factory designs, it is safe to say that an industrial roof differs from a residential roof considerably. After all, the space is much larger, the designs are essentially opposites and the materials are required for different purposes. Here at Valent Roofing, we like to think that our knowledge makes us an expert in the industrial roofing field, which is why we are going to go over a few ways you can ensure that you are following maintenance guidelines correctly…

Speedy Repairs

Keeping an industrial roof in tip top condition is all about your response to a problem. For example, if you ignore a minor leak, it is only going to get worse over time. By reacting swiftly and calling in the experts to kickstart any repairs, you can ensure that your industrial roof remains healthy and safe.

Regular Inspections

The roof is essentially the backbone of a property and regardless of whether it is residential or industrial, it is vital that you carry out inspections on a regular basis in order to ensure there are no hidden problems developing. With this said, industrial roofs are often flat which means that they are susceptible to more damage than a residential roof, making these inspections all the more important.

Professional

You should never leave the safety of your roof to chance by carrying out any repairs yourself. After all, DIY will never live up to the handiwork of a professional roofer and most of the time DIY is incorrectly or poorly executed. In order to maintain an industrial roof, it is essential that you consult the expertise of someone who knows what they are doing.

Maintenance is an essential part of property owner responsibilities. After all, the last thing you want to do is stumble upon months, if not years, worth of damage that was left to develop due to a lack of servicing and routine maintenance sessions. As the experts in the industrial roofing industry, the team here at Valent Roofing are the ones you want on your side! Get in contact to find out more information today.

Why Metal Roofing is Better Than Shingles

If you are considering updating your roof, it is important that you research every aspect carefully and ensure that you make an informed and educated decision. After all, there is nothing worse than spending thousands of pounds on a project and loathing the outcome. As the experts in the industry, the team here at Valent Roofing want to explain why metal roofing is superior than classic shingles…

Lightweight

Aluminium roofing metal is a material that doesn’t weigh very much which means that it can be installed incredibly easily. After all, heavy materials require a lot of man-power and labour which means that it can cost more for the installation. In addition to this, a heavy material can place unwanted stress on the roofing structure and that is something you want to avoid.

Lifespan

Shingles are often thought of as a temporary roofing material because they don’t last very long and will require replacing after a decade or two. On the other hand, metal roofing is incredibly durable and can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years, making it an incredibly cost-effective investment.

Weatherproof

In comparison to other roofing materials like shingles, metal roofing is the one that is able to stand up against the brutality of mother nature. From strong winds to heavy rainfall, the strength of a metal roof makes it practically weatherproof whereas other options would certainly suffer under the pressure.

Pro-Environmental

Taking care of the environment means recognising where changes are possible and that is why more and more companies are starting to craft metal roofing from recycled sources rather than depleting natural reserves. In addition to this, old metal roofing slabs can also be recycled and reused too!

When it comes to metal roofing, it is only right that the industrial roofing experts here at Valent Roofing put our knowledge to good use. After all, metal material is not just reserved for industrial buildings and are being implemented in more and more modern residential designs. To find out more information, get in contact with a member of the Valent Roofing team today!

How to Respond to a Damaged Roof

Discovering that your roof has been the victim of mother nature’s wrath can be a big shock. After all, whether it be a gaping hole in the shingles or a nasty leak, a damaged roof is a costly affair. Here at Valent Roofing we believe that calling in the experts to assess the situation is the most important thing you should do. With this said, there are many components involved when it comes to roof damage. Here is how to respond correctly…

Don’t Attempt D.I.Y

The biggest mistake that people will make upon discovering damage to their roof is presuming that they can rectify the issue with a bit of DIY. Your roof is the most important aspect of your property which means that there are important steps that must be followed in order to ensure that it is in a suitable condition. Attempting to fix the problem yourself can actually do more harm than good so it is vital that you call in a professional instead.

No Climbing

Sometimes it may not be possible to see the full extend of the damage from the ground and you may be tempted to dig out the ladders to try and get a better view. Not only is this incredibly reckless, it can be dangerous too. After all, a damaged roof is a weak roof and climbing onto it can cause further disturbance. In fact, simply leaning on a damaged roof from the ladders can be problematic.

Evacuate

Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be necessary to evacuate the property. After all, not all roofing damage is the result of a small leak and you would be surprised how often a fallen tree onto a warehouse roof is the culprit! If you have a giant hole in your roofing material, then the property is considered too dangerous to remain habitable and you should call in the experts immediately, so they can secure it.

Here at Valent Roofing we take damage very seriously. After all, it weakens the integrity of the structure so whilst a leak might not look so dangerous, the rotting wooden beams definitely are! If you happen to stumble upon roof damage, make sure you respond in the correct way by calling in the industrial roofing experts here at Valent Roofing! After all, there’s nobody more qualified to deal with your roofing worries and woes!

A Guide to Fireproofing Your Roof

When it comes to your roof, the last thing you want to be worrying about is the outbreak of a fire. After all, roofing comes with its own list of potential problems to prioritise and prevent. Here at Valent Roofing we believe it is our mission to ensure that every roof we consult on has the necessary fire prevention measures in place as the occurrence of a fire in your roof cavity is incredibly dangerous. Read our guide to find out how they can be prevented…

Electrics

Many homes have wires and electrics that are fed through the empty cavity that is your attic and it is important to regularly check that they are in good condition. After all, broken seals, surging and overheating are all aspects that can cause a fire to break out in a matter of seconds.

Chimney Sweeping

Whether you realise it or not, a functioning chimney and fireplace requires rigorous upkeep in order to prevent a chimney fire. After all, the chimney runs straight through the centre of your home and comes to a stop on the roof. This means that if you don’t keep creosote under control a chimney fire can devastate your entire home, starting with the roof.

Infestations

More creatures find their way into your home than you think but it is when they start making themselves comfortable that the danger forms. After all rats and birds are known to chew through wires inside your attack, exposing the cables inside and a spark is all it takes to set the roof alight. If you suspect an infestation, it is important that you consult a professional immediately.

Fire Protection Cladding

Here at Valent Roofing we believe that fire protection comes from many different angles. Our high-quality fire protection cladding is extremely resilient when it comes to stopping the spread of a fire in its tracks and we believe that every property should have it installed in order to guarantee safety at every level.

Science tells us that smoke rises which is why we are often advised to crawl to an exit during a fire as it reduces the amount of smoke that we will inhale. The problem with this is that smoke detectors on ceilings often won’t pick up the first signs of a fire inside the roofing cavity. This means that they often go unnoticed until the damage and danger is severe. By following our guide on how to fireproof your roof and prevent fire outbreaks, you can ensure that your property will never have to suffer the brutality of a fire. To find out more information, get in contact with the industrial roofing experts here at Valent Roofing today!

The Most Durable Roofing Materials

Investing in a new roof can be a stressful time. After all, the last thing you want to be dealing with two years down to road is repair bills and endless maintenance needs! That is why the team here at Valent Roofing have made it our mission to ensure that our readers choose a roofing material that will stand the test of time. Here are some of the most durable roofing materials on the market…

Aluminium

When it comes to metal roofing it is important to choose a metal that is able to adhere to aesthetic goals whilst providing a practical benefit at the same time. For example, aluminium can be purchased in several different colours however it is renowned for its corrosion resistance and lightweight features which makes it a great roofing material choice.

Slate

As a fine rock that is cut into roofing tiles, slate is excellent for places that suffer from regular rainfall. In addition to this, slate is a natural resource which means that you can form a green roof that has the durability to last for over a century when it is well cared for and correctly maintained as the process that is carried out in order to form the tiles does not result in any toxic chemicals being pumped into the atmosphere.

Clay

As a rather modern roofing material, ceramic is made from clay that has been dried and baked in a kiln. For homes looking to focus on aesthetics, clay ceramic tiles may just be the answer! After all, they do not discolour or fade and are incredibly durable when it comes to the ever changing weather in the UK, lasting between 75 and 100 years.

As the experts in industrial roofing, it is only right that the team here at Valent Roofing share our wisdom and knowledge when it comes to the durability of different roofing materials. After all, the roof of your property is its main form of defence against the brutality of mother nature. To find out more information, get in contact with a member of the Valent team today!