I’m a roofer – do these 9 checks NOW to avoid forking out £10,000 this winter

THE harsh winter weather can be gruelling on your home, particularly your roof.

Roofing expert Daniel Osbourne shared his top tips for avoiding costly damage.

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Dan, who can be found at MyJobQuote.co.uk/roofer, spoke exclusively to The Sun about the measure you need to be taking now to protect your home throughout the winter.

“A new roof is likely to cost between £5,000 and £18,000, depending on the size and shape of your roof, the materials used, and the amount of scaffolding you need,” he explained.

“This isn’t a small sum, so it can be tempting to put the work off.”

However, the expert pointed out that since your roof is “an integral part of your home” it needs to be up-kept with care.

From weatherproofing your home to reducing dampness, there are countless benefits of a good quality roof.

And with the cold winter weather setting in, the insulation provided by a properly kept roof is also invaluable.

According to Dan, there are nine key signs, both interior and exterior, that you need a new roof.

Sagging ridge

Referring to the highest point of a pitched roof, the ridge should form a straight, horizontal line.

However, if it looks as though it’s sagging in the middle or at one end, there’s likely a structural issue.

“Typically, sagging is caused by the deterioration of the timbers underneath,” the pro explained.

“This may be due to the age of the roof, or it may be caused by rot or water damage.”

Whatever the cause, the expert recommends getting your roof looked at if you notice any sagging.

Lots of slipped or missing tiles

“As a roof ages, the nails and clips that hold the slates and tiles in place start to rust and corrode, making it easy for wind and heavy rain to dislodge them,” Dan explained.

He revealed that “a lot of tiles slipping out of place” on a roof is a “sure sign” it is “past its best”.

You should take immediate action if you notice this or a lot of tiles missing.

Contact a professional roofer for an evaluation of your home.

Cracked tiles

Your roof tiles also bear the brunt of harsh weather conditions, which can lead to them degrading and becoming brittle over time.

And when this happens, roof tiles can start to crack.

Cracks can also be a sign that something has hit your roof and damaged it.

Regardless of the cause, you should address cracked tiles as soon as you notice them.

Heavy moss and lichen growth

While moss and lichen growth on your roof isn’t necessarily a problem, you should definitely keep an eye on it.

Common with older roofs in shady locations, moss and lichen can become an issue if there is significant growth that’s been there a
while.

This may be hiding a deeper problem with your roof.

The presence of moss and lichen can also indicate potential
drainage and moisture-retention issues in your roof.

Needing frequent roof repairs

If you find yourself frequently dealing with leaks or lead flashing or repairing slipped tiles, this could be a sign that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.

“Rather than constantly paying out for small repairs, it might be more cost-effective to replace your roof,” suggested the expert.

Water Damage Inside the Home

If you’ve spotted yellow or brown stains on your upstairs ceilings, this is another common sign that your roof is no longer watertight.

If you’ve ruled out a leak in the plumbing, the water is most likely to
be coming in from the roof.

“Where staining is extensive or in more than one location, it’s
probably more than a single slipped tile or overflowing gutter that’s at fault,” advised Daniel.

Daylight visible through the roof

And if you can see shafts of daylight streaming through the roof when you are in your loft, this indicates a gap in your tiling and a hole or tear in your felt.

You should always remember, where daylight can get through, so can rain.

“It’s unusual for the tiles and felt to both become compromised in
this way unless the roof has suffered damage or has started to deteriorate,” the expert explained.

So this is not something you should ignore as it can cause costly damage to your home.

Old roof felt

A clear sign that your roof is more than a few decades old is if it has what looks like brown felt material on the underside.

Old sarking felt was used from the 1930s to the early 1990s and is made from bitumen-coated hessian.

And this type of lining does degrade, so it’s unlikely to be doing a good job of channelling water away from your timbers, according to the pro.

Condensation in loft

“Around 30 to 40 years ago, a reinforced plastic membrane was used to line roofs instead of sarking felt,” the expert said.

“Although this material is very durable, it isn’t breathable like the membranes used today.”

Because of this, it tends to cause problems with condensation.

So if you spot what looks like grey plastic sheeting on the underside of your roof and have noticed significant moisture, it might be time to get your roof upgraded and resolve these issues.

More on winter prep

Plus, an £18 buy from The Range that will keep your whole family warm.

An energy expert broke down the top ways to keep your home warm this winter.

And a completely free way you can keep your house warm, and it only takes minutes.

A luxury gadget will cocoon you on winter nights, and only costs 4p to run.

Plus, a £7 drying gadget from Dunelm will leave your clothes crease-free.

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