Autumn roof checklist before the wet season
Almost every winter emergency we attend was visible and cheap to prevent in October. None of this checklist requires getting on the roof.
Clear the gutters and check the flow
After the leaves have dropped, clear the gutters and downpipes and watch water run through with a hose. Overflowing gutters soak walls and rot fascias faster than anything else.
Look along the ridge and hips
From the ground with binoculars: gaps in the mortar, tilted ridge tiles, anything that looks out of line. This is what lifts in the first serious gale.
Check the valleys
Valleys full of leaf litter dam the water and push it sideways under the tiles. Tree-lined streets need this every year without fail.
Do a loft check on a bright day
Torch off, look for daylight through the covering. Then torch on and look for staining, sagging underlay and damp timber.
Cut back overhanging branches
Branches abrade the covering in wind, drop debris into the gutters, and keep the roof shaded and damp so moss thrives.
FAQs
Late summer and early autumn — the weather is more reliable and you're ahead of the winter rush.
Only if you can do it safely from a properly footed ladder at low level. Anything at height or awkward is not worth the risk.
Yes, and it's frequently the cheapest preventative work you can book.
Related reading
More on maintenance & seasonal and the jobs that usually come with it.
- Winter roof leaks, frost damage and what to do firstMaintenance & seasonal
- Felt vs EPDM vs GRP: choosing a flat roof systemComparisons
- What actually happens during a roof surveyProcess & paperwork
Looking for something specific? See our roofing services, cost guides, common roof problems or the areas we cover.
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