Roofer in Redcliffe Bay and Nore Road
Roof repairs and re-roofing on the north-west facing slopes above the estuary, from Nore Road down to Redcliffe Bay and across to Kilkenny Fields and Raleigh Rise.
The side of Portishead that faces the weather
Portishead’s Community Character Statement describes Nore Road and Redcliffe Bay as a coastal, north-west facing hillside, looking out over the Bristol Channel towards Wales. It is the view that sells the houses. It is also the reason roofs here work harder than those tucked down on the valley floor behind the ridge.
The Met Office describes south-west England as one of the more exposed parts of the UK, with the strongest winds nearly always coming from between south and north-west. On a slope facing the water, there is nothing between the weather and the roof. That shows up as loose ridge tiles, lifted verges, slates sliding where old nails have corroded, and rain driven up under laps that would be fine on a sheltered roof.
Typical roofs and problems
Mostly post-war, some Victorian
The character statement records that most of Nore Road and Redcliffe Bay was built after the 1950s, with some Victorian houses among it. Roofs are mainly pitched, in slate or pantiles.
Ridges and verges
On the most exposed roofs, mortar-bedded ridges and verges are the first thing to go. Converting to a dry-fix system is often the better long-term repair.
Split-level houses
Kilkenny Fields and Raleigh Rise sit on an almost north-facing hillside, and the character statement notes homes that look single-storey from the road but drop three or four levels on the downhill side. Access for those back slopes needs planning.
Fixings on exposed slopes
Re-roofs here should be fixed to BS 5534 for the site’s exposure, which usually means more mechanical fixing than the original roof had.
Gutters a long way up
On the downhill side of split-level houses, gutters are high and easily forgotten. Overflows here soak a lot of wall.
Fedden Village
The former Nautical School on Nore Road, built in 1905 and now apartments, is a listed building. Work there goes through the management and may need consent.
Further along the coast and over the ridge
Down Road runs along the top of the ridge, with estates and cul-de-sacs from the 1950s onwards and roofs in slate or concrete tile. On the other side lies the flat-bottomed Gordano valley. We cover all of it, along with Woodhill and West Hill and the Marina.
Need a repair? See roof repairs, or for storm damage, emergency callouts.
Sources: Portishead Community Character Statement, areas A, B and C; Met Office, South West England climate; Historic England list entry 1220438 (Portishead Nautical National School).
Roof taking a battering on the seaward side?
Free inspection and a written quote.