Water marks or damp patches inside
Brown stains on a ceiling or a patch of damp in an upstairs room or loft are classic signs of water getting in. The leak itself is often some distance from where the mark appears, which is why tracing the real source is a job best left to a roofer.
Slipped, cracked or missing tiles
After a storm, or simply with age, tiles and slates can slip, crack or disappear altogether. Even one missing tile leaves the layers beneath exposed to the weather, so it is worth dealing with promptly.
Debris in the gutters
- Granules or fragments of tile collecting in the gutters can point to ageing covering.
- Overflowing gutters in heavy rain may mean a blockage that is sending water down the walls.
- Plants growing out of the gutter are a sure sign it needs clearing.
Sagging or daylight in the loft
A roofline that dips, or daylight visible through the roof when you are up in the loft, suggests a more serious problem with the structure or covering and should be looked at without delay.
Flashing and mortar problems
Cracked mortar around ridge tiles or chimneys, and lifted or corroded flashing, are common weak points. They are usually straightforward to put right if caught early, before water has had a chance to track inside.