How to spot problems on your roof

Millions of homes built in the post-war construction era are now reaching the end of their natural life and may need replacing. The CLG English Housing Survey shows as many as one in five roofs across the country are in need of attention.

First you can check the roof for potential problems by simply looking at the roof from a distance and scanning it with a pair of binoculars.

Repairing a roof can vary in cost depending on the size and extent of the damage to the roof, but typically runs into thousands of pounds. Here are some signs of damage to look out for:
• Are chunks of mortar falling off the roof? This is a sign that the mortar is failing.
• Are there missing tiles or slates? This is particularly important after storms and strong winds, which might have loosened or dislodged tiles.
• Is the roof sagging? Unless this problem is rectified promptly, this could lead to leaks, broken roof trusses and eventual roof collapse.
• Are there any problems with flashings? Make sure there are no leaks or missing parts of the lead, zinc or plastic sheet which provides a sealed joint between walls and porches or chimneys.
• Is the chimney stack leaning or is the parapet wall out of alignment? If your house has a chimney you should check this as old chimneys can move over time and, should it collapse, the consequences could be disastrous.
 

Take a look at our free downloadable roof health checker for more information to help avoid any unwelcome and costly roofing problems.