Leaks, broken tiles, storm damage and flashing repaired on pitched and flat roofs
Roof repairs in Rotterdam start with one question: where is the water really getting in? A damp patch on the ceiling is rarely right below the leak, because water travels along timbers and membrane before it drips. We track down the source on the roof, whether that's a slipped tile, lead flashing that has lifted at the chimney or a split in the bitumen. Then we fix what's broken and leave the rest alone. After a storm, we make the roof safe and watertight first, then come back for the proper repair.
Report a leak or damage
- 1Describe the problem - a photo helps
- 2We come out and find the leak
- 3You get a price for the repair
Call us, or email a few lines on what needs doing and where you live. Photos of the roof, gutter or paving help.
- Free quote
- Price agreed in writing
- Roof and ground
- Painting & cleaning
- English & Nederlands
What we fix
Common roof problems in Rotterdam, and how we deal with them
It's rarely the whole roof that has failed. Usually it's one weak spot, and the job is finding it and fixing it properly.
Slipped and broken tiles
A strong gust or a falling branch can knock a tile out of line or crack it. We swap it for a matching tile, check the batten underneath and make sure the tiles around it still lock together as they should.
Lead and zinc at chimneys and dormers
A lot of leaks start where the roof meets a chimney or dormer. Lead or zinc flashing that has lifted or split gets refixed or replaced, with enough overlap that water runs over it rather than behind it.
Blisters and cracks on flat roofs
Bitumen is the usual covering on walk-up blocks and extensions, and it's where we see this most. It blisters when moisture is trapped underneath, and cracks when the deck below moves. We cut the blister open, let it dry where we can and torch a new patch of covering over the top.
Tracing the leak
A damp patch indoors tells you very little about where the water got in. We check both the roof and the loft, follow the trail and show you exactly where it went wrong.
Making safe after a storm
Storms coming in off the sea have little to slow them down before they reach the city. If one has left a hole in the roof or tiles in the garden, we cover it first with sheeting, membrane or temporary tiles. That keeps the inside dry until the permanent repair.
Photos of what we found
You get before-and-after photos of the damage. They're handy for your own records, and if you decide to report the damage to your insurer. What they pay out is their call, not ours.
Where it usually goes wrong
The weak points on a Rotterdam roof
On a row of housing blocks like these, the trouble tends to be at the joins. Where tiles meet a chimney or dormer there's lead or zinc, and over the years it works loose or splits. Ridge tiles can creep out of place. And on tree-lined streets, leaves pile up in the gutter until the water spills over and finds its way back under the tiles. So when we repair one spot, we also run an eye along those joins while we're up there.
- Loose, slipped or broken tiles replaced
- Lead and zinc flashing repaired at chimneys and dormers
- Blisters and splits in bitumen or EPDM patched
- Ridge tiles refixed
- Temporary weatherproofing after storm damage
Step by step
How a roof repair works with us
When the roof is leaking, you want to know where you stand, and fast. This is how we go about it.
- 01
You tell us what's happening
Send a message describing what you can see: a damp patch, a tile in the garden, water by the chimney. A photo from inside and, if it's safe, from outside helps us bring the right materials.
- 02
Safe and dry first
If there's a danger or water is coming in, we make the roof temporarily watertight before anything else. Loose tiles that could fall are taken off or secured.
- 03
Finding the cause
Then we look for the real source. We go over the roof, the flashings and the loft, so we're not sealing one spot while the water keeps coming in somewhere else.
- 04
Price, then repair
Before we start, you hear what's broken and what the repair will cost. Once you agree, we repair the tiles, lead, zinc or covering with materials that match what's already there.
- 05
Showing you the work
You get before-and-after photos. If we spot anything else on the roof that will need attention soon, we'll mention it, with no pressure to have it done now.
- →
What next?
Send us a message about what needs doing. A quote costs you nothing.
Ask for a quote →
Questions
Roof leaks in Rotterdam: what people ask us
Why isn't the damp patch under the leak?
Water takes the easiest route. It might get in at the chimney, run down the membrane or along a rafter and only drip through the ceiling a few metres away. That's why we follow the trail in the loft and on the roof before we open anything up.
What can I do myself after storm damage?
Don't go up on the roof yourself, especially in wind or rain. Put a bucket under the drip, move anything that could get wet and take photos of the damage inside and out. If a tile has landed on the pavement or something is hanging loose over the street, keep people clear and get in touch with us.
Will my insurance pay for the repair?
That depends on your policy and on what caused the damage, and the decision is your insurer's. Many policies treat storm damage differently from wear and tear or overdue maintenance. We can give you photos and a short written account of what we found and what we did, so your claim is well documented.
Can I leave a blister on my flat roof?
A small blister isn't a leak yet, but it does mean there's moisture or air trapped under the bitumen. Walk on it, or let it freeze, and the layer can crack. We look at how big it is and whether it's a one-off. If there are lots of them, we'll talk about whether a new roof makes more sense.
When is a repair no longer enough?
If the battens have rotted, there's no membrane under the tiles and it leaks in several places, or a flat roof is cracking across its whole surface, a repair usually won't last long. We'll tell you honestly when a new roof is the better option. Our roofing page explains what a replacement involves.
Service area
Roof repairs in Rotterdam and the area
From Spaanse Polder we're quickly in Spangen, Blijdorp and Overschie. We also fix roofs in Kralingen, Hillegersberg and Charlois, and outside the city in places like Schiedam, Vlaardingen and Barendrecht.
- Rotterdam
- Schiedam
- Vlaardingen
- Capelle a/d IJssel
- Krimpen a/d IJssel
- Barendrecht
- Ridderkerk
- Rhoon
- Berkel en Rodenrijs
- Bergschenhoek
- Maassluis
- Spijkenisse
Leaking roof or missing tiles after a storm?
Send us a message with a photo of the damage and we'll let you know when we can come and take a look.