Spring Roof Inspection: Post-Winter Checklist for British Homeowners

Every year, I get a wave of calls in April and May from homeowners who’ve just discovered problems that started back in January. The leak that’s been dripping into their attic for three months. The slipped slates that let rain into the wall cavity. The blocked gutters that caused damp in the spare room.

Winter hammers British roofs. Spring is when we find out how much damage was done.

Here’s the inspection checklist I use on my own house every spring - and what you should be checking on yours.

Before You Start: Safety First

Let me be clear: I’m not suggesting you climb onto your roof. That’s dangerous work that requires proper equipment and training.

What you CAN do:

• Walk around your property at ground level
• Use binoculars to check the roof from a distance
• Safely access your attic through the hatch
• Check inside rooms for signs of damage

What you SHOULDN’T do:

• Climb onto the roof
• Lean ladders against gutters
• Walk on wet or moss-covered tiles
• Access steep or high roofs without professional help

If you see problems, call a professional. The inspection below identifies issues - it doesn’t require you to fix them.

The 15-Point Spring Roof Inspection

1. Ground-Level Perimeter Walk

Start by walking around your entire house. Look for:

On the ground:

• Broken slate or tile fragments
• Pieces of flashing or lead
• Gutter sections or clips
• Ridge tile mortar chunks

Finding debris means something came off your roof. Track back to find where.

Against walls:

• Green staining (algae from blocked gutters)
• Damp patches (ongoing water penetration)
• Salt deposits (sign of water carrying minerals through masonry)
• Paint peeling near roofline (water getting behind render)

2. Visual Roof Survey (Binoculars Recommended)

From a distance, scan each roof slope:

Look for:

• Missing slates or tiles (obvious gaps)
• Slipped slates (tiles out of alignment)
• Cracked tiles (visible breaks or splits)
• Ridge tiles at angles (storm displacement)
• Flashing lifting (metal edges not lying flat)

Winter storm damage often shows as:

• Multiple slates shifted in the same direction
• Ridge tiles rotated or lifted
• Lead flashings rolled or peeled back
• TV aerials bent or fallen (check fixings penetrating roof)

3. Chimney Inspection

Chimneys take the worst of winter weather. From ground level, check:

Stack condition:

• Mortar between bricks - crumbling or missing?
• Bricks themselves - any obviously damaged?
• Chimney pot - still secure and upright?
• Cowl - still in place?

Flashing:

• Lead stepped flashing - all pieces visible and lying flat?
• Apron flashing at front - any gaps visible?
• Back gutter (if present) - any visible damage?

Red flags:

• Black staining down chimney (water penetration carrying soot)
• White staining (salt deposits from water movement)
• Mortar debris on roof below chimney

4. Gutter Examination

Walk the full perimeter checking gutters:

Visual check:

• Gutters hanging properly (no sagging sections)
• Joints intact (no visible gaps)
• Brackets secure (none missing or bent)
• Downpipes attached (all clips in place)

Evidence of problems:

• Green algae strips on walls below gutters
• Splash marks on lower walls
• Pooled water stains on paving below
• Plant growth in gutters (visible from below)

5. Fascias and Soffits

Look at the boards where roof meets walls:

Signs of damage:

• Warped or buckled sections
• Paint peeling or flaking
• Visible rot (dark, soft-looking areas)
• Gaps between boards
• Bird or pest damage (holes, gnaw marks)

Particularly check:

• Corners (where two boards meet)
• Under gutter brackets (water pools here)
• Near downpipe positions

6. Valley and Hip Inspection

Valleys (where two roof slopes meet going downward) and hips (where they meet going upward) are vulnerable:

Valley checks:

• Valley lining visible and intact
• No tiles slipped at valley edges
• No debris accumulation visible
• No obvious moss dams

Hip checks:

• Hip tiles properly aligned
• Mortar visible between tiles
• No gaps or lifted tiles

7. Skylight and Roof Window Check

If you have Velux windows or skylights:

From outside:

• Frame seals intact (no visible gaps)
• Flashing properly seated
• No discolouration around frame

From inside:

• Open and close mechanism works
• No condensation between glass panes
• No water staining around frame
• Seals pliable (not cracked or brittle)

8. Vent Pipe and Penetration Survey

Every penetration through your roof is a potential leak point:

Check:

• Soil vent pipe - cap in place, lead collar intact
• Gas flue terminals - secure and sealed
• Extraction fan outlets - weatherproof caps present
• TV aerial mount - sealant around fixing points

9. Attic Internal Inspection

This is crucial. Get safely into your attic with a good torch:

Structure:

• Rafters - any cracks, splits, or sagging?
• Purlins - properly supported?
• Ridge board - straight and intact?

Water evidence:

• Dark staining on timber (current or historic leak)
• Active drips or wet patches
• Daylight visible through roof (shouldn’t see any except controlled vents)
• Water pooling on insulation

Ventilation:

• Eaves vents clear (not blocked by insulation)
• Felt/membrane condition (no tears or holes)
• Signs of condensation (water droplets, mould)

10. Inside Room Checks

Don’t forget to check from within your living spaces:

Ceilings:

• New stains or watermarks
• Bubbling or peeling paint
• Soft or sagging areas
• Cracks appearing or growing

Walls (especially near roofline):

• Damp patches in corners
• Mould in upper areas
• Wallpaper peeling near ceiling

Windows in roof-adjacent rooms:

• Condensation between panes
• Mould on frames or surrounds
• Drafts around frames

11. Moss and Vegetation Assessment

British roofs grow things. Check the extent:

Moss levels:

• Light coating (cosmetic only)
• Heavy growth (holding moisture, potentially lifting tiles)
• Moss in valleys and gutters (blocking water flow)

Vegetation:

• Plants growing from gutters
• Saplings in chimney or parapets
• Roots visible anywhere on roof structure

12. Flat Roof Specific Checks

If you have flat roof sections:

Surface condition:

• Cracks or splits in membrane
• Blisters (bubbles in the surface)
• Ponding (standing water 48 hours after rain)
• Debris accumulation
• Moss or algae growth

Edges and upstands:

• Edge trim secure
• Flashing to walls intact
• No lifting at corners

13. Lead Work Assessment

Lead flashings are critical and often damaged:

Check all lead:

• Chimney flashings (stepped and apron)
• Valley linings (if lead)
• Dormer cheeks
• Parapet cappings
• Around roof windows

Signs of problems:

• Lead rolled or peeled back
• Cracks in old lead
• Missing sections
• Lead pulled away from wall

14. Animal and Pest Evidence

Winter sees animals seeking shelter:

Look for:

• Bird entry points (under eaves, broken tiles)
• Squirrel damage (gnawed fascias)
• Wasp nest remnants
• Rodent access points

In attic:

• Droppings
• Nesting materials
• Scratches on timber
• Insulation disturbance

15. Previous Repair Assessment

If work was done before winter, check it held up:

• Patch repairs still intact
• Sealant still adhered
• Temporary fixes still holding
• Any deterioration around repairs

Creating Your Action List

After inspection, categorize findings:

Urgent (Fix Within 2 Weeks)

• Active leaks
• Missing slates/tiles in exposed areas
• Collapsed guttering
• Structural damage visible

Soon (Fix Within 1-2 Months)

• Slipped slates not yet leaking
• Cracked tiles
• Minor flashing issues
• Heavy moss affecting drainage

Planned (Fix Within 6 Months)

• Cosmetic damage
• Light moss growth
• Minor fascia/soffit wear
• Prophylactic repairs

Monitor (Watch Over Coming Year)

• Previous repairs holding
• Areas of concern but not problematic
• Aging materials approaching replacement

What Professional Inspection Adds

Your DIY inspection catches obvious problems. A professional inspection adds:

• Safe access to all roof areas
• Experience identifying subtle damage
• Understanding of British building styles
• Knowledge of what can wait vs. needs immediate action
• Accurate repair estimates
• Guarantee-backed assessments

I recommend professional inspection every 2-3 years, or after severe weather events.

Spring Inspection Timing

Best time for spring inspection:

Ideal: Late March to early April

• Winter storms have passed
• Before April showers
• Allows time to schedule repairs before busy season

Also acceptable: Any dry period March-May

• After a full week of dry weather (problems more visible)
• Before any planned outdoor work
• After clocks change (more evening daylight)

The Cost of Skipping Spring Inspection

I did a job last year where a homeowner hadn’t checked his roof in three winters. What would have been a £300 repair (two slipped slates) had become a £4,500 repair (water damage to rafters, felt, and internal plaster).

The 30 minutes you spend on spring inspection could save thousands.

Recording Your Findings

Keep notes of your inspection:

• Date of inspection
• Weather conditions
• What you found
• Photos of any concerns
• Action taken or scheduled

This creates a maintenance history that’s valuable when selling, making insurance claims, or tracking recurring issues.

Need Help With What You Find?

Spring inspection often reveals issues that need professional assessment. We provide free roof inspections to help you understand what needs attention and what can wait.

Call us: +44 89 981 9675

Or request an inspection online - we’ll assess your roof and give you honest advice on priorities.

Don’t let winter damage become summer disasters. Check your roof this spring.