Winter is when roofs get tested. More rain, stronger wind and frosty nights find out every weak point. Many roof leaks that show up in winter began as small faults that could have been spotted earlier.
This checklist covers simple things you can check from the ground, from windows and from the loft. None of them need you to climb a ladder or go onto the roof. Please don’t.
Before winter: from the ground
With binoculars, walk round the house and look at:
- slates or tiles that are slipped, cracked or missing
- ridge and hip tiles that look loose or out of line
- chimney pots, flaunching and pointing
- flashings around chimneys and along walls
- moss build-up, especially in valleys and gutters
- gutters full of leaves or plants.
Take photos so you can compare them after storms. Pick the same few spots each time, such as the back garden, a front window and the street, so the pictures line up. A record like this also helps if you ever need to show an insurer what the roof looked like before a storm.
Gutters and downpipes
Autumn leaves are the main cause of blocked gutters. Watch the gutters during heavy rain. Water spilling over the edge, dripping from joints or pouring from a hopper all point to blockages or leaks. Check that downpipes discharge into gullies that are clear. Hidden valley and parapet gutters need special attention because they overflow inside. See gutter and downpipe problems.
In the loft
If you can get into the loft safely, standing on boards or joists:
- look for daylight through the roof
- check for damp patches on timbers or underlay
- look for water marks or wet insulation
- check that any water tank and pipes are lagged
- make sure insulation isn’t blocking airflow at the eaves.
Droplets on the underlay on cold nights may be condensation rather than a leak. See condensation or a roof leak.
Want a roof surveyed? We cover London and the South East, with written reports and photos from £150 including VAT. Book a survey or call 07833 053749.
Flat roofs
From an upstairs window, look at flat roofs on extensions, dormers and garages. Signs to note are standing water that stays for days, blisters, splits, debris and moss. Make sure outlets aren’t blocked by leaves. Our guide to flat roof problems explains what each fault means.
After a storm
Once it’s safe to go outside, check from the ground for:
- slates, tiles or ridge pieces in the garden or on paths
- gaps in the roof that weren’t there before
- lifted flashings or flat roof edges
- damaged chimney pots or aerials.
Take dated photos and note the date of the storm. If there’s damage, contact your insurer. Many policies have conditions about storm damage, and wear and tear is usually excluded. Our guide to storm damage and insurance explains more. A storm damage roof report gives you an independent record of what’s damaged.
When to get the roof looked at
Book a survey if you see slipped or missing coverings, damp in the loft or on ceilings, cracked chimney flaunching, or gutters that overflow even when clear. A roof survey checks the whole roof and gives you a written report with photos and recommendations by urgency. Surveys take place on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Quick answers
Is it safe to go on the roof to check it?
No. Roofs are dangerous, especially in wet, icy or windy weather. Do your checks from the ground, from windows and from the loft.
Should I clear my own gutters?
Only if you can reach them safely without climbing onto the roof. Many people use a gutter cleaning firm with the right access equipment.
How often should I check my roof?
A quick look from the ground before winter and after every big storm is a good habit. A survey every few years helps on older roofs.
Related services
More advice
- Storm Damage to Your Roof: Evidence for a Claim
- Gutter and Downpipe Problems That Cause Damp
- Condensation or a Roof Leak? How to Tell
- Moss on Roofs: Harmless or a Problem?
- All advice
This guide is general information about roofs and roof surveys. It isn’t legal, insurance or structural engineering advice; for those, speak to a suitably qualified professional.