Winter Roof Checklist for Essex Homes

Every October we get the same rush of emergency calls — leaks from problems that had been building all summer but only showed themselves in the first proper downpour. Spending an hour on this checklist in autumn saves most of them.

1. Clear the gutters and downpipes

Blocked gutters back up, overflow behind the fascia, and rot the roof timbers within a season. Clear leaves, moss and grit — front, back and downpipe outlets. Run a hose through afterwards to prove the flow.

2. Check for slipped, cracked or missing tiles

Scan every slope from the garden and street. One missing tile is a £80 fix now — and often a £1,500 ceiling repair after Christmas.

3. Inspect ridge tiles and flashings

Ridge tiles along the apex should be tight and straight. Lead flashing around chimneys, valleys and skylights should be flat, not lifted at the edges. Both fail in high wind.

4. Look at chimney mortar

Any sandy grit in the gutters below the chimney means the mortar joints are opening up. Get it repointed before the first frost — freeze-thaw damage in winter accelerates the failure fast.

5. Cut back overhanging branches

Branches scrape tiles loose in gales and drop leaves straight into the gutters. Two metres of clearance above the roof is the target.

6. Check the loft on a sunny day

Turn the loft light off. Any daylight through the roof means a gap somewhere. Also check the insulation is dry and not being pushed aside blocking eaves ventilation.

7. Book a free winter roof check

We offer free 15-minute pre-winter roof inspections across Southend, Rayleigh, Benfleet, Basildon, Hockley and Chelmsford through September and October. Photos of every issue, no pressure, written quote only if something genuinely needs doing.

Book yours: 07928 888913 or via the contact form.