Roofing in Santa Bárbara

In Santa Bárbara de Nexe the houses are on slopes and exposed to wind. The roof suffers most at the eaves and the ridges — the parts the wind lifts — and the gutters fill with whatever the trees on the slope drop every autumn.

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Santa Bárbara, as seen by the people who work there

Santa Bárbara de Nexe is villa country with a view — halfway up the slope between Faro and the barrocal, where a lot of people built the house they intend to stay in.

South-facing slopes looking out over the lagoon and the sea, large plots, and a mix of restored traditional houses and good-quality new build. Detached villas on generous plots, many with a pool and retaining walls because of the slope, and a good number with natural stone cladding on the façade.

In Santa Bárbara de Nexe we do a lot of outdoor work — stone, walls, pools and façade maintenance.

What we find in Santa Bárbara

Sloping ground means retaining structures

Almost everything built here sits on terraces. Poorly drained retaining walls are the most common structural problem we find in the area.

Natural stone façades needing treatment

Schist and local stone develop efflorescence and green growth on the exposed face. Washing them with the wrong product discolours the stone irreversibly.

Wind and southern exposure

The view has a price: south-facing façades take sun all year round and lower-grade paints lose their colour in two summers.

Roofing: what we do

Moss and lichen removal — Low-pressure washing, which cleans without cracking tiles or forcing water underneath them, unlike a pressure washer.
Replacing cracked tiles — Lifting the affected areas tile by tile and replacing with pieces compatible with the existing ones.
Anti-fungal treatment — A biocide that holds the moss off for several years.
Flashings, eaves and ridges — Redoing the ridge mortar and the junctions that are the most common source of leaks.
Gutters and downpipes — Clearing, repair and replacement, including checking the fall.
Terrace waterproofing — Bituminous membranes or liquid systems, with treatment of details and drains.

How the work goes

1
Roof inspection
We go up and see the real condition: tiles, structure, junctions and gutters. We photograph everything to show you.
2
Diagnosing the leak
Water gets in at one point and appears at another. Finding the source is half the job.
3
Proposal by priority
We separate what is urgent from what can wait, so you can decide with the facts.
4
Working safely
Scaffolding or a safety line as appropriate, and protection of what is below.

Work in and around this area

A roof brought back before the rains

Low-pressure washing, replacement of cracked tiles and ridge repairs on a roof that was already letting water in.

22 photographs

Cleaning a roof taken over by moss

Removal of moss and lichen built up over years without maintenance, with treatment to slow its return.

9 photographs

Frequently asked questions about roofing in Santa Bárbara

Do you actually work in Santa Bárbara, or do you travel in from elsewhere?

We work in Santa Bárbara regularly. We set out from Loulé and get there in about 20 minutes, which means we can come and look at the job without charging for the trip.

What usually goes wrong with this kind of work in Santa Bárbara?

Almost everything built here sits on terraces. Poorly drained retaining walls are the most common structural problem we find in the area. It is the situation we come across most often in Santa Bárbara, and it is why we look at the job before quoting.

Can I wash the roof with a pressure washer?

We strongly advise against it. High pressure cracks old tiles, strips the ridge mortar and forces water under the tiles — it fixes the appearance and creates the leak. We use low pressure with a proper product.

What is the best time of year to work on a roof?

Between May and October, in dry weather. Waiting for the first rain to call means risking weeks on a waiting list while the water keeps coming in.

How often should a roof be cleaned?

Every four or five years on an exposed house, less often if it gets little shade. Houses surrounded by trees grow moss far more quickly.