The five checks worth doing before the cold arrives — and why roof problems that look benign in summer start leaking in January.
Roofs rarely fail in summer. The damage is done in winter, when driving rain finds every small opening, and the freeze-thaw cycle widens every crack a little more each night. An hour's attention in autumn saves a lot of money in January.
1. Check The Ridge And Verges
Look along the top ridge and the gable ends from the ground. Cracks or missing mortar there are the most common roof defect in Medway, and winter is exactly when they get worse — water freezes in the cracks, expands, and opens them further.
2. Clear The Gutters Before The Leaves Land
Blocked gutters in a hard freeze can crack, and the water that overflows will find its way behind the fascia. Get them cleared once the leaves have come down — and test the downpipes while the ladder's out.
3. Look At The Flashing
Lead around chimneys and dormers is where most winter leaks start. If it's lifting, cracked or the mortar holding it has washed out, it will let water in the first time conditions are bad enough.
4. Deal With Moss
Moss holds water against the tiles through the winter, keeping the roof wet for longer than it would otherwise be, and it sheds straight into the gutters. Autumn is the right time to treat it.
5. Look In The Loft
On a bright day, turn the loft light off and look for daylight. Check for damp staining on rafters and the underside of the covering. It's free, takes five minutes, and catches leaks before they reach the ceiling.
If any of those need attention, autumn is the cheapest time to get them done — before winter call-outs, when everyone with a leak is trying to ring at once.
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Costs and timings in this article are guides for Medway and Kent properties. Every roof is different — a survey is the only way to get an accurate figure.