How Often Should You Get Your Roof Checked in the UK?
- Daniel Cunliffe
- Oct 19
- 8 min read
Roofs do their work quietly in the background. They keep the weather out, the heat in, and most of the time you don’t give them a second thought – until something goes wrong.
For a lot of Lancashire and Greater Manchester homeowners, the first sign of a roof problem isn’t a missing tile you can see from the street. It’s a damp patch in the bedroom, a musty smell in the loft, or a leak that appears in heavy rain and disappears again just as quickly.
By the time those symptoms show up, the damage has often been building for months.
This guide explains how often you should get your roof checked in the UK, what you can safely keep an eye on yourself, and when it’s time to bring in a professional roofer or book a proper roof survey.
Key Takeaways
Most UK homes benefit from a basic roof check at least once a year, and ideally twice – in spring and autumn.
Older roofs, flat roofs and properties in exposed or tree-lined areas often need more frequent attention.
Regular checks are less about finding “excuses” for work and more about catching small issues before they turn into leaks, damp and rotten timbers.
You can do simple ground-level checks yourself, but detailed inspections and safe access should be left to a qualified roofer.
If you’re seeing repeated damp patches, missing tiles, or planning to buy/sell a property, a professional roof survey is usually the most sensible route.
Why Regular Roof Checks Matter
A roof rarely fails overnight. Problems tend to start small:
A couple of slipped tiles after a storm
A cracked ridge tile letting in wind-driven rain
Blocked gutters pushing water back under the eaves
Lead flashing that’s started to split or pull away
Left alone, those minor defects turn into:
Rotting timbers and damaged felt
Internal damp, mould and ruined plaster
Heat loss and higher energy bills
In the worst cases, structural problems and costly replacement work
Regular checks give you a chance to deal with the “cheap fixes” – a bit of repointing, a few replacement tiles, a gutter repair – before you’re forced into major works.
How Often Should You Check Your Roof in the UK?
There’s no single rule for every roof, but there are sensible guidelines that work well for most homes in the North West.
General Rule of Thumb
For a typical tiled or slate roof in decent condition:
Do a basic visual check yourself:
Twice a year – once in spring, once in autumn
And after any major storm with strong winds or heavy rain
Arrange a professional inspection or roof survey:
Every 3–5 years for a relatively modern roof with no history of issues
Every 1–3 years for older roofs or properties that have had leaks in the past
The aim isn’t to have someone constantly trying to sell you a new roof. The aim is to keep on top of small defects so you never reach the point where you have to replace everything in a rush.
How Roof Age Affects Inspection Frequency
Under 10 years old
Usually low risk if properly installed
Ground-level checks and gutter maintenance are often enough
Book a professional inspection if you spot anything unusual or after severe weather
10–25 years old
Components like mortar, flashings and felt can start to show wear
Ground-level checks twice a year
Professional inspection every few years, or sooner if problems are suspected
25+ years old
More likely to have slipped tiles, brittle mortar and ageing underlay
Annual professional inspection is sensible, especially if you’re seeing any signs of damp or past patch repairs
Local Factors That Mean You Should Check Your Roof More Often
Living in Lancashire and Greater Manchester brings its own quirks. Some homes need more frequent checks than others.
You’ll want to be more proactive if:
You’re in a very exposed spot
Properties up on hillsides, edges of moors or open valleys take a beating from wind and driving rain. Storms are more likely to lift tiles or damage ridge details.
You’re surrounded by trees
Moss growth, blocked gutters and debris build-up happen faster. Valleys and flat sections can hold water where it should be draining away.
You have a flat or low-pitch roof
Felt, GRP and rubber roofs don’t shed water as quickly as a steep tiled roof. Ponding, UV exposure and damage around outlets and upstands are all more common and need regular checks.
Your roof has complex details
Dormers, valleys, chimney stacks and roof windows all add joints and flashings – and every joint is a potential weak point.
If any of the above sounds like your property, leaning towards twice-yearly checks plus storm follow-ups is usually a good idea.
What You Can Safely Check Yourself
You don’t need to be a roofer to notice when something looks “off”, and you definitely don’t need to be on the roof to spot many of the early warning signs.
From ground level or an upstairs window, you can look for:
Missing, slipped or cracked tiles and slates
Ridge or hip tiles that look loose or poorly aligned
Gutters that are overflowing, sagging or permanently full of debris
Staining or green growth on fascias and soffits
Moss-heavy areas where water might be held against the roof
Any obvious dips or sagging areas in the roofline
From inside the property (especially the loft):
New damp patches or water staining on ceilings or rafters
Daylight visible through the roof where it shouldn’t be
Musty smells or black mould on timbers and plaster
Very cold draughts through gaps around chimneys or roof windows
If any of these are showing up, it’s usually a sign you need more than a quick look – you need a roofer to investigate properly.
When You Should Get a Professional Roof Survey
There’s a difference between a roofer having a quick look and a proper roof survey.
A professional roof survey is worth arranging when:
You’ve had repeated leaks or damp patches in the same area
You’re buying a property and want to understand future costs properly
You’re considering major work – for example, fitting solar panels or converting a loft
The roof is clearly aged and you’re not sure if repair or replacement is the sensible route
Insurance or a mortgage lender has asked for specialist roofing advice
A good roof survey will usually include:
A thorough visual inspection from outside and, where safe, inside
Photos of any defects found
A clear explanation of what’s urgent and what can be monitored
Repair or replacement options with realistic timescales
It shouldn’t be a scare story followed by “you need a full new roof” as the only option.
An honest roofer will separate what’s essential from what’s cosmetic or long-term.
Roof Checks vs Gutter Maintenance – Why They Go Hand in Hand
In a lot of homes we attend, the first problems we find aren’t tiles at all. They’re:
Blocked gutters
Leaking joints
Downpipes that are backed up or discharging in the wrong place
When gutters are overflowing or water is running behind them, it can:
Soak the fascia and soffit boards
Track back under the bottom row of tiles
Saturate brickwork and cavity insulation
Start damp patches that only show up inside weeks or months later
That’s why regular roof checks and regular gutter cleaning are really the same job: keeping water flowing where it’s meant to go, rather than letting it creep into the structure.
In Lancashire’s climate, combining annual gutter cleaning with spring or autumn roof checks gives most homes a solid basic maintenance routine.
How Often Should You Check Your Roof After Storms?
Big storms are the moments when marginal roofs fail.
You should always have a look after:
Very high winds
Heavy, prolonged rain
Storms that have brought down branches or debris in your area
From the ground, walk around the property and check:
For any tiles or pieces of ridge on the ground
Whether any parts of the roofline look “different” to how they did before
If gutters are now overflowing or misaligned
If anything looks suspicious – or if you simply can’t see clearly from the ground – that’s the time to ask a roofer to check properly. A short visit after a storm is usually cheaper than ignoring damage until it becomes a full claim.
Avoiding “Cowboy” Roof Inspections
One of the reasons people avoid roof checks is simple: they don’t want to invite a pushy salesperson onto the property.
A trustworthy roofer carrying out an inspection or survey should:
Turn up when agreed and explain what they’re going to look at
Take photos or short videos to show you what they’ve found
Talk you through the condition of the roof in plain English
Explain which issues are urgent and which can simply be monitored
Give you options – repair where possible, replacement only when genuinely needed
What they shouldn’t do is try to rush you into a decision, refuse to show evidence, or insist that a whole roof needs ripping off without a clear explanation.
If you feel pressured or something doesn’t sit right, get a second opinion.
How Daniel Roofing And Guttering Approaches Roof Checks
At Daniel Roofing And Guttering, we see regular roof checks as part of sensible home maintenance – not a way to drum up unnecessary work.
For homeowners across Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley, Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Preston and the wider Lancashire and Greater Manchester area, we can:
Carry out straightforward roof inspections after storms or when you’re worried about a specific issue
Provide more detailed roof surveys when you need a written assessment and clear plan
Check gutters, fascias and soffits at the same time, so the full roofline is covered
Explain honestly whether a repair, partial renewal or full replacement makes most sense for your home and budget
If you’re not sure when your roof was last properly checked, or you’ve noticed new damp patches, missing tiles or gutter problems, it’s usually better to get it looked at now – while it’s still a small job.
FAQs – Roof Checks and Roof Surveys in the UK
If you’re trying to work out whether you really need your roof looked at, these are some of the questions we’re asked most often.
Do I really need my roof checked if it isn’t leaking?
Leaks are often the last stage of a problem, not the first. Loose tiles, failed mortar, blocked gutters and minor flashing issues can all be present for months before water shows up inside. An occasional check is about staying ahead of those issues, not waiting until water is already coming through.
How long should a tiled roof last in the UK?
As a very rough guide, a well-installed tiled roof can often last 40–50 years or more, while a slate roof can go well beyond that. The weak points are usually the details and components – mortar, flashings, felt and fixings – which is why inspections focus on those areas rather than just the tiles themselves.
Should I go up on the roof myself?
We wouldn’t recommend it. Falls from height are one of the biggest risks in DIY. Most homeowners can get all the information they need from ground level, an upstairs window and a look in the loft. If something doesn’t look right, that’s when a roofer with the correct access equipment should take over.
How is a roof survey different from a general homebuyer survey?
A general homebuyer or mortgage survey will usually only carry out a basic visual check of the roof from the ground or nearby vantage points. A dedicated roof survey goes into much more detail: it focuses specifically on the roof structure, coverings, flashings, roofline and gutters, and gives you a clearer picture of likely repair or replacement needs.
How often should I book a professional roof inspection?
For many homes, every 3–5 years is enough if there are no known issues and the roof isn’t especially old. If your roof is 25+ years old, you’ve had leaks before, or you live in an exposed location, an annual check by a roofer is usually money well spent.
