Roof Maintenance: A Winter Checklist
Most roof maintenance is looking, not climbing. Check the tiles, ridge, chimney and flashings from the ground, keep gutters and outlets clear, look in the loft after heavy rain, and get a roofer to check anything that has moved. Twice a year, in autumn and spring, is enough for most homes.
Roofs rarely fail all at once. A slipped tile, a blocked gutter or a crack in the chimney flaunching lets a little water in, and a North East winter turns that little problem into a ceiling stain. Half an hour with this checklist before the worst of the weather can save you a much bigger bill in spring.
01/Why winter is hard on roofs
Winter is when most roof problems show up. Strong winds lift tiles and slates that have lost their nails or bedding, driving rain finds any gap in flashings, and repeated freezing and thawing breaks down old mortar on ridges, verges and chimneys. Homes near the coast, from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth, take the worst of the wind, but exposed estates inland get it too.
02/What to check from the ground
You do not need to go up a ladder. Stand back on the pavement or in the garden, ideally with binoculars or a phone camera zoomed in, and work along the roof.
Tiles and slates
Look for gaps, cracked tiles or slates that sit out of line. One slipped tile is a small job now.
Ridge and hips
Check for missing mortar, loose ridge tiles or gaps along the top of the roof.
Verges
The gable ends take the most wind. Look for crumbling mortar or loose caps; see our dry verge guide.
Chimney
Look for leaning pots, cracked flaunching, missing pointing or plants growing out of the stack.
Flashing
The lead where the roof meets a wall or chimney should sit flat and tight. Lifted lead lets rain straight in.
Gutters
Sagging runs, water spilling over the front or plants growing in them all mean a blockage.
What to check in the loft
Go up on a dry day and again after heavy rain. Take a torch and look at the underside of the roof.
- Daylight showing through anywhere it should not
- Damp patches, drips or tide marks on the timbers
- Torn or sagging felt, especially down at the eaves
- Mould or droplets on the underside of the roof, which usually means condensation rather than a leak
If you are not sure whether it is a leak or condensation, our guide to damp lofts explains how to tell the difference.
04/Gutters and downpipes
Autumn leaves are the main cause of blocked gutters in Gosforth, Jesmond and anywhere with mature trees. Water that cannot get away spills down the wall, soaks the brickwork and can rot fascia boards. Clear them after the leaves have fallen, or get them cleared if they are out of safe reach. Our gutter cleaning cost guide covers prices.
05/Flat roofs
Flat roofs on extensions, garages and dormers need a slightly closer look. After rain, check whether water drains off within a day or two. Puddles that sit for days, blisters, splits in the felt or a blocked outlet are signs the roof needs attention before winter. If the roof is near the end of its life, an EPDM rubber roof is our usual recommendation.
| Task | When | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Check tiles, ridge and chimney from the ground | Autumn and spring | You |
| Look in the loft for damp or daylight | After heavy rain | You |
| Clear gutters and outlets | After leaf fall | You or a roofer |
| Check flat roofs for ponding | After rain | You |
| Close inspection of roof, flashings and chimney | Every few years or after a storm | A roofer |
What not to do
Do not climb onto the roof, especially when it is wet, icy or windy. Falls from ladders and roofs are one of the most common causes of serious injury at home. Avoid jet washing tiles, which can force water under them and strip the surface, and be wary of sealing problems with a tube of sealant: it rarely fixes the cause and can make the proper repair harder.
If tiles have come off or water is coming in, follow our storm damage checklist and be cautious of anyone knocking on doors offering to fix roofs straight away.
When to call a roofer
Call a roofer if you spot anything that has moved, cracked or come loose, or if you find damp in the loft or on a ceiling. Small roof repairs done before winter are almost always cheaper than fixing the damage a leak causes afterwards.
Getting a price
Not sure what you are looking at? We will check your roof, send you photos of anything that needs attention and give you a fixed written price for any work.
