Most roof problems start small — a slipped tile, a hairline crack, a bit of damp on the ceiling. Ignored, they turn into rotten timbers and £5,000+ repairs. Here's what to look out for.
1. Slipped, cracked or missing tiles
The most obvious sign. Storms, foot traffic and old nail rust cause tiles to slip. Any gap is a direct route for water to enter and rot your timbers.
2. Damp patches on upstairs ceilings
Brown staining or bubbling paint on a ceiling almost always means water is getting in through the roof or around a chimney flashing.
3. Granules from your tiles in the gutters
Concrete and asphalt tiles shed granules as they age. Large amounts in your gutters mean the tiles are near end-of-life.
4. Sagging roofline
A dip in the ridge line is serious — it usually means rotten timbers or structural movement. Get this looked at urgently.
5. Damaged lead flashing
Around chimneys, valleys and roof windows, lead flashing lifts or splits over time. Even a small gap will leak.
6. Moss build-up
Thick moss traps water against the tiles, accelerates degradation and blocks guttering. A yearly moss removal extends roof life significantly.
7. Higher heating bills
Poor loft ventilation or damaged underfelt lets heat escape. If your bills have jumped, a roof inspection is worthwhile.