A roof is one of the most important, and often most neglected, parts of our home. Your roof protects you and your family from the elements, and, with proper maintenance, can last over 100 years. However, without regular checks, the lifespan of your roof can be easily halved and the amount you’ll spend on repairing it increased by up to 45%.

To give your roof the care it deserves, check out our guide on the essential checks you should carry out on a regular basis.

Exterior roof

Flashing

Your lead flashing is one of the areas most prone to wear and tear where they abut walls/chimneys, so look out for things like lifted lead and lead flashings that have slipped out of place.

Moss or lichen

Whether it’s on your flashing or your roof tiles, moss and lichen can be detrimental to your roof’s lifespan due to their water-retaining properties. Large amounts of either can cause water to soak under your roof slates/tiles and cause damage, so aim to have it cleared as soon as possible.

Gutters

If your gutters become clogged with leaves or debris, it will result in water pooling. overflowing the gutters and ultimately down your property walls. Try to have it cleared as soon as possible, especially during winter, and ensure that your gutter is designed at an incline to allow water to run down into your drains more efficiently.

Damaged tiles

Look out for any damaged tiles during your inspection, try using binoculars for a better view. It is not worth the risk of getting on to your roof, leave that to the professionals. These will offer very little resistance to bad weather, and should be replaced as soon as possible before costly internal damage is caused.

Weather damage

Although the UK is generally spared some of the world’s more extreme weather events, we do have to put up with long periods of rain and wind or even storms, especially during the winter months. These can result in missing roof tiles or even water seeping in through your roof. After any harsh weather, it always makes sense to check over your property inside & outside to make sure it has escaped any damage.

External additions

Satellite dishes, solar panels and skylights all put a strain on your roof which can potentially cause cracks and breakages, so endeavour to check the roof around any external additions during your inspection.

Interior roof

Signs of leakage

Look out for symptoms such as cracking, dark stains and discolouration of roof void timbers during your interior roof check. Whilst these can mean that the area directly above the stain is letting in water, the water may have also run down from other parts of the roof, making a thorough exterior check even more essential by a professional. To summarise, the point of water entry on your ceiling on roof timbers is not always the same place as the leak outside.

Mould and rot

Mould can be a sign of a long-standing leak that’s been overlooked, meaning that you could also have serious structural weaknesses as well as an obvious leaking roof. Make sure you check your roof trusses and rafters to identify any potential weak spots and, if necessary, take action to ensure that your roof is secure by calling a roofing specialist.

Get a professional roof inspection

When carrying out any inspections, you should seek help from a professional roofing surveyor at all times. Turning to an expert in the field will give you full confidence that you are putting your roof in safe hands, avoiding any risks from checking at height and you will receive a report that explains all the needs of your roof for complete peace of mind.

Need more help? For expert help and advice on roof maintenance or to arrange a professional roof inspection speak to our friendly team today. Call 01977 220016