What does a roof MOT check?

The outside of the roof

• Tiles and slates: slipped, cracked or missing. Which? notes that damp, staining or a leak inside often traces back to a cracked or slipped tile.
• Joins: Which? singles out the ridge, valleys and chimney as places to check for gaps. We look for cracked mortar, loose ridge tiles and worn valleys.
• Chimney: pointing, lead flashing, aprons and back gutters, and the pots.
• Edges: verges, fascias, soffits and gutters, including blocked or sagging runs.
• Moss: whether it is cosmetic or blocking drainage.

Inside the loft

A roof can look sound from the road and be failing underneath, so a proper check includes the loft.

• The felt or membrane: torn, brittle, or sagging at the eaves.
• Rafters and battens: damp marks, rot or daylight.
• Condensation and ventilation.
• How much loft insulation there is.

How often and when

Which? says it is "a good idea to have your roof and gutters inspected once a year", and that this matters more on a roof 25 years old or more. The best times are:

• Before winter, so small faults are fixed before the storms.
• After a big storm or high winds.
• Before you buy or sell a house.

Why it matters for insurance

The Association of British Insurers says regular maintenance helps prevent damage in bad weather, and that insurers distinguish real storm damage from wear and tear that a storm simply showed up. A dated set of photos from a recent roof check gives you a record of the roof's condition if you ever need to claim.

How our roof MOT works

1. We check the roof outside and in, taking photos as we go.
2. We go through the photos with you and explain what matters now and what can wait.
3. Small faults, like a cracked tile or loose pointing, can often be fixed there and then with your agreement.
4. Anything bigger gets a written quote, and there is no pressure to go ahead.