Preparing Your Roof for Winter: A Surrey Homeowner’s Checklist
Quick Summary
- Preparing your roof for winter means checking tiles, gutters, flashing, chimney lead work and loft ventilation before the first named storm arrives.
- Aim to finish by the end of November.
- Most checks can be done safely from the ground and from inside your loft.
- Small repairs now cost far less than emergency call-outs in January.
- Anything involving ladders, steep pitches or flat roofs should go to a qualified roofer.
Did You Know? Winter 2025/26 was one of the wettest on record for southern England. Rainfall in the south was 58% above average, compared with 17% in the north. A roof that coped with an average winter may not cope with a wet one. v2radio
Why a Surrey Winter Is Hard on Roofs
One dramatic threat rarely faces Surrey roofs. The damage is from repetition: rain, wind, then a frost overnight, then rain again.
Water enters through small openings in tiles, mortar or flashing. It expands about 9 % when it freezes , which makes the gap wider . With the next thaw more water flows in. And that freeze-and-thaw cycle is how a hairline crack turns into a ceiling stain.
Saturated ground and heavy rain also mean gutters and downpipes work harder. The Met Office noted that saturated ground left southern and central England more sensitive to further wet weather. irishnews
The cost of getting it wrong is rising too. ABI figures show storm damage to homes rose 32% to £244 million in 2025, with the average storm payout reaching £2,450. insurancebusinessmag
From over 20 years of roofing across Surrey, the pattern is consistent. The emergency calls we get in January are rarely about new damage. They are almost always a small fault that was already there in October.
The Roof Winter Checklist
Work through this list in order. It runs from the outside in.
Area | What to look for | Who should do it | Priority |
Roof tiles and slates | Cracked, slipped or missing pieces; moss build-up | Roofer (or ground check with binoculars) | High |
Gutters and downpipes | Leaves, sagging sections, overflow stains on walls | Homeowner or roofer | High |
Chimney flashing and lead work | Lifted, cracked or gapped lead; crumbling mortar | Roofer | High |
Ridge and hip tiles | Loose or cracked mortar bedding | Roofer | High |
Velux and roof windows | Failed seals, cracked flashing, condensation between panes | Roofer | Medium |
Flat roofs | Ponding water, blistering, split seams | Roofer | High |
Loft interior | Damp patches, daylight through the roof, wet insulation | Homeowner | High |
Loft ventilation | Blocked eaves vents, condensation on rafters | Homeowner or roofer | Medium |
Overhanging trees | Branches touching the roof or dropping debris | Tree surgeon | Medium |
Tiles, ridges and slipped slates
Wind lifts loose tiles first. One missing tile exposes the felt beneath, and felt is not designed to take a full winter on its own. Ridge tiles matter just as much. Their mortar bedding is the first thing frost breaks down.
Gutters and downpipes
Blocked gutters send water over the edge and down your walls or behind the fascia. Clear them after most of the leaves have fallen, then check for sagging or leaking joints. The ABI also advises clearing gutters and securing roof tiles before a storm to limit damage. abi
Chimney flashing and lead work
This is the most common leak point we see. Lead expands and contracts with temperature, and over time it cracks or lifts. If your stack has not had chimney lead work checked in years, do it before winter.
Velux windows and flat roofs
Roof windows rely on their flashing kit and seals. If you see condensation trapped between panes or staining around the frame, get your Velux windows looked at. On flat roofs, look for pools of water that stay for more than 48 hours after rain. Ponding is a sign the membrane is under strain.
The loft check
Go up on a dry day with a torch. Look for damp patches on the underside of the roof, dark staining on timbers, wet insulation and any daylight showing through. Check that insulation does not block the eaves vents. Trapped moisture causes condensation, which can look like a leak but needs a different fix.
Photograph your roof from the ground now, from the same spots each autumn. A dated before and after set makes spotting change easy, and it is useful evidence if you ever need to make an insurance claim.
What You Can Check Safely From the Ground
You do not need to climb anything. Stand back from the house on a bright day and use binoculars or your phone’s zoom.
- Look along the roofline for dips, bulges or uneven lines.
- Spot gaps in the tile pattern, or tiles that sit at a different angle.
- Check for green or black moss patches, especially on north-facing slopes.
- Look for fallen tile fragments in the garden or on the drive.
- Walk around the walls for damp streaks beneath gutters and joints.
Never climb onto a wet or frosty roof, and do not lean a ladder against fragile gutters. Roof falls remain a leading cause of serious injury in home maintenance.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting for a leak. By the time you see a stain, water has often been travelling through the structure for weeks.
- Pressure washing tiles. It strips the protective surface and forces water under overlaps.
- Patching flashing with sealant. Mastic is a short-term fix. Lead needs proper dressing.
- Ignoring the loft. Many problems show inside before they show outside.
- Calling a roofer after the storm. Good roofers book up fast once the first named storm hits.
Your Pre-Winter Timeline
When | Jobs |
Late October | Ground check, loft inspection, first gutter clear |
Early November | Book any repairs: tiles, ridge, flashing, chimney |
Mid November | Second gutter clear once leaves have dropped; trim branches |
Late November | Final check; confirm repairs are complete and photographed |
December onwards | Check after every named storm, and notify your insurer before arranging emergency repairs |
When to Call a Roofer
Book a professional inspection if you find any of the following:
- Missing or cracked tiles you can see from the ground
- Daylight or damp in the loft
- Lifted or cracked lead around the chimney
- Ponding on a flat roof
- A roof that is more than 25 years old and has never been inspected
If the inspection shows the roof is beyond repair, you can get a rough figure from our roof cost calculator before discussing full roof replacement.
We cover homes across Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Twickenham, Esher and surrounding Surrey areas. As an NFRC member with over 20 years on Surrey roofs, we would rather find a £50 problem in October than a £5,000 one in February.
Ready for a winter check? Contact Maple Roofing for a free, no-obligation roof inspection before the weather turns.
Is Your Roof Ready for Winter?
Book a free, no-obligation roof inspection with Maple Roofing before the first storm arrives.
FAQs
1. When should I prepare my roof for winter in the UK?
Aim to finish by the end of November. Late October to mid November is ideal, because leaves have mostly fallen and repair slots are still available.
2. How often should a roof be inspected?
At least once a year, ideally in autumn, and after any major storm.
3. Can I check my roof myself?
You can do ground checks with binoculars and inspect your loft. Leave anything that needs a ladder or roof access to a qualified roofer.
4. What are the signs my roof will not survive winter?
Slipped or missing tiles, damp in the loft, sagging gutters, lifted chimney lead and ponding on flat roofs are the main warning signs.
5. Does home insurance cover storm damage to a roof?
Most policies cover storm damage, but insurers expect the roof to be reasonably maintained. Contact your insurer before arranging emergency repairs, and keep photos and receipts.
6. How much does a pre-winter roof repair cost?
It depends on the fault. A few replacement tiles or a gutter clear is far cheaper than internal water damage. Ask for a written quote after inspection.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.