A roof survey is a visual inspection of your roof, inside and out, to find out what condition it is in and what is causing any problem. A roofer checks the tiles or slates, ridges, hips, verges, valleys, flashings, chimneys, gutters, fascias and any flat roofs, then looks in the loft at the underlay, timbers and ventilation. Afterwards you should get a clear explanation, ideally with photos, and a written quote for any work.
Before the survey
A little preparation helps the roofer find the problem quickly.
- Note what you have seen: where water appears, when it happens (heavy rain, wind from one direction, after frost) and how long it has been going on.
- Take photos of stains, damp patches or anything you have spotted on the roof.
- Clear access to the loft hatch, and to the garden or side of the house if possible.
- Find any paperwork, such as details of previous roof work or building control certificates.
What is checked outside
The roof covering
The roofer looks for slipped, cracked, missing or porous tiles and slates, and for signs that the fixings are failing across the roof. They will also note the type of tile or slate, which matters for matching repairs.
Ridges, hips and verges
These are the edges and top of the roof. Mortar cracks and falls out with age and weather, and loose ridge tiles are one of the most common causes of leaks after a storm. The roofer will check whether they are mortar-bedded or dry-fixed.
Valleys and flashings
Valleys, where two roof slopes meet, carry a lot of water. Flashings seal the joins between the roof and walls, chimneys, dormers and extensions. Split lead, failed mortar and blocked valleys are frequent sources of leaks.
Chimneys
The stack, the pointing, the flashing where it meets the roof and any flaunching on top all need checking. A chimney can let water in even when the roof itself is sound.
Gutters, fascias and soffits
Blocked, sagging or leaking gutters can send water into walls and roof edges. Timber fascias and soffits can rot, which lets water and pests in.
Flat roofs
On garages, extensions and dormers, the roofer checks for cracks, blisters, ponding water and soft spots that point to a rotten deck.
What is checked inside the loft
- Daylight coming through the roof
- Water stains and damp on timbers, underlay and insulation, which help trace a leak to its source
- The underlay: whether it is torn, perished, sagging or missing
- Roof timbers: rafters, purlins and battens, for rot, woodworm or movement
- Ventilation and condensation: whether air can move through the roof space, as condensation can look very like a leak
If there are signs that bats use the roof, the roofer should tell you. Bats and their roosts are protected by law, so you may need specialist advice before work goes ahead.
Permissions and regulations
A good survey also considers whether the work might need permission. That includes whether your home is in a conservation area or is listed, and whether a re-roof will need to meet the building regulations, including insulation upgrades. See our guides to planning permission for roof work and building regulations when you re-roof.
What you should get afterwards
- A clear explanation of what was found and what is causing any problem
- Photos of the problem areas, so you can see for yourself
- Options, where there is more than one way to fix it, such as a repair or a new roof
- A written quote setting out the work
What a survey cannot always show
A survey is a visual inspection, so some things only come to light once work starts. Rot in a flat roof deck may be hidden under the felt, and the condition of battens under a tiled roof is not always clear from the loft. A good roofer will tell you where there is a risk of hidden problems, and how any extra work would be agreed with you before it goes ahead.
If a roofer cannot explain the cause, or will not show you what they found, it is worth getting a second opinion.
In Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire
What a survey focuses on depends on the homes in your area.
- In Shenfield and Harpenden, large hipped roofs have many valleys, hips and chimneys, which is where most leaks start as lead and mortar age. We check every valley, ridge and flashing and show you photos.
- In Cambourne, newer roofs often show loose or cracked mortar on ridges and verges, slipped tiles and leaking flashing around extensions and dormers.
- In Northstowe, problems such as loose ridge or verge tiles and badly fitted gutters can show up on new homes. If your home is new, check with your developer first.
- In Wisbech, older buildings often have parapets, hidden gutters and lead valleys behind the front walls, which can block and leak without being seen from the street.
- In Berkhamsted, homes on the valley sides catch more wind, while wooded hillsides bring leaves and moss into gutters.
How First4Roofcare can help
Our surveys are free. We look at the whole roof, take photos, explain what we find and give you a written quote, whether you need roof repairs or a new roof. If you have a leak, our guide to why your roof is leaking covers the common causes. Book your free roof survey.