Autumn can be a useful time to take a closer look at the condition of your roof. You do not need to climb a ladder or get onto the roof yourself. There are several warning signs you can spot safely from ground level or from inside your home that may suggest it is worth getting professional advice before winter.
Take a look at your roof from ground level and see whether anything appears noticeably different. Slipped tiles, visible gaps or pieces of broken tile around the property can all be signs that part of the roof needs attention.
Problems can become more noticeable following windy or wet weather. Even if you cannot see any signs of water getting into the property, damaged or displaced roofing materials may be worth investigating before further bad weather arrives.
Chimneys create several junctions with the surrounding roof, including areas where flashing is used to help keep water out.
From ground level, look for anything that appears loose, cracked or different from the surrounding roof. Inside the property, damp patches or staining around a chimney breast can also indicate that further investigation is worthwhile.
The cause will not always be obvious from what you can see, so avoid trying to diagnose the problem solely from the ground.
Flat roofs over extensions, garages and other parts of a property can be easy to overlook, particularly when the roof surface is not normally visible.
Signs of water getting in, deterioration around visible edges or changes to an older flat roof can all provide reasons to have its condition checked.
If you know a flat roof has been in place for many years, autumn can also be a sensible opportunity to assess its condition rather than waiting for a problem to appear during prolonged winter rain.
Gutters and downpipes have an important role in moving rainwater away from your roof and property.
You may notice water overflowing during heavy rain, vegetation growing from a gutter, damaged or loose sections, or staining where water has repeatedly run down an outside wall.
These problems do not necessarily mean that the roof itself is damaged, but poor drainage can contribute to water-related problems around a property and is worth investigating.
Sometimes the first indication of a roofing problem appears inside rather than outside.
Water marks on ceilings or walls, damp patches following heavy rain or evidence of water entering the loft are all signs that should be investigated.
Remember that the visible damp patch may not be directly underneath the source. Water can travel along roofing materials, timbers and other surfaces before becoming visible inside your home.
You do not need to know exactly what is wrong with your roof to notice that something has changed.
Perhaps a tile looks different, a damp patch has appeared, a gutter is overflowing or you have spotted something following strong winds. Paying attention to these smaller changes can help you decide whether it is time to ask one of the Roofing Contractors in Eastbourne to take a closer look.
It is also important to avoid climbing onto the roof yourself. Many roofing problems cannot be properly assessed from ground level, and working at height brings significant risks.
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