Service
Autumn and Winter Roof Checklist
Almost every emergency call-out we take in January was visible and cheap to fix in October. This is the list we'd work through on our own houses.
- Clear gutters after leaf fall, not before
- Look for slipped or lifted tiles from ground level
- Check ridge and verge mortar for cracks
- Look in the loft on a wet day
- Check flashings around chimneys and abutments
- Trim back overhanging branches
Outside, from the ground
Walk right round the house with binoculars if you have them. You're looking for tiles that are out of line, gaps at the ridge, mortar missing from the verge, sagging gutter, and green staining down a wall where a gutter overflows. Any of those is a cheap autumn job and an expensive January one.
- ▸Tiles out of line or missing
- ▸Cracked or missing ridge and verge mortar
- ▸Sagging gutters or staining down walls
- ▸Loose or lifted flashings at the chimney
Inside, in the loft
Go up on a wet day with a torch, lights off. Daylight through the covering, wet patches on the membrane, damp timber or a musty smell all tell you something. Even widespread droplets on nails point at ventilation rather than a leak — worth acting on either way before winter sets in.
Before the storms
Clear the gutters once the leaves are actually down. Trim branches that overhang or rub the roof. Secure or remove anything on a flat roof that could move in high wind. And if something has been on your list since last spring, book it now — after the first named storm of the season everyone is booking at once.
FAQs
When should I clear gutters?+
Late November for most Buckinghamshire properties — after the leaves have finished dropping. Earlier and you'll be doing it twice.
I can see one slipped tile. Is it urgent?+
It's cheap now and it exposes the felt to wind and UV if left. It's also often a sign that the fixings nearby are going the same way.
What should I do in a storm?+
Stay off the roof and stay clear of any area below loose material. Call us once it's safe — we'll make safe first and quote the repair after.
Related reading
Other pages homeowners usually look at alongside this one.
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