A new roof is a big investment, and most of it is out of sight. Once the scaffold is down, you cannot easily see how the battens were fixed, how the membrane was lapped or whether the flashings were dressed properly. That is why a careful check at the end, and again after the first bad weather, is worth doing.
This guide explains what new roof inspections involve, what you can safely look at yourself from the ground and what a roofer would examine up close. It is written for Lincolnshire homeowners who have had a roof installed, are about to sign off a job or have bought a house with a recent re-roof.
New does not always mean right. Problems on fresh roofs are usually small and fixable if they are spotted early: a slipped tile, a gap at a ridge, an unsealed vent, a flashing that has not been tucked in fully. Left alone, they can let water into the loft slowly, and the first sign may be a stain months later. A check shortly after completion gives you time to raise anything while the work is fresh in everyone's mind. It also gives you a clear record of the roof as handed over, which helps if questions arise later.
Stand back and look at the roof from a few angles, using binoculars if you have them. Do not climb up yourself.
A closer inspection covers the things you cannot judge from the pavement. That includes the fixings on tiles and slates, the condition of the ridge bedding or dry fix system, the finish on valleys and abutments and the way lead has been dressed. From inside the loft, a roofer can look for daylight where it should not be, check the membrane for tears and laps, look at ventilation at the eaves and ridge, and see whether insulation has been disturbed. Moisture marks on timber are another clue. Photographs taken of the findings give you something concrete to refer back to.
The right moments are at handover and after the first spell of heavy rain or strong wind. Tell the roofer on the day that you will be looking at the loft, and go up with a torch once the weather has tested the roof. A seasonal check each spring and autumn is sensible in the longer term, and also after major storms. Scaffolding, if still in place, makes close inspection easier, so raise concerns before it comes down rather than after. Be wary of any suggestion to skip the final check to save time.
An inspection is priced on access, roof size and how much detail you want. A simple report on a small roof with an easy ladder position is quicker than a survey of a large, complicated roof that needs towers. Whether the loft can be reached, whether photographs and a written summary are required and whether any minor fixes are done on the spot all change the quote. If an inspection is part of a larger project, it is usually worth agreeing in advance how it will be handled.
If you have a recent roof that you want looked at, or you are planning a new one and want to know what a proper handover check involves, ask F H Roofing for a free quotation. Tell us what the roof is made of, roughly when it was done and whether you have seen any stains, drips or loose parts. We will talk it through and arrange a visit. We cover Lincoln, Boston, Sleaford, Grantham, Louth, Skegness, Spalding and Gainsborough.
For new roof inspections anywhere in Lincolnshire, call or WhatsApp 07561 405402, or use the form below and tell us about the job.
Pictures are for illustration purposes only.
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No. A newly completed roof should keep water out. If you notice stains, drips or damp patches, raise it with whoever installed it straight away. Small defects such as a poorly fitted flashing or a slipped tile are often quick to put right when caught early.
You can look from the loft hatch with a torch, checking for daylight, damp marks or wet insulation. Only step on joists or boards that are safe. Keep clear of any areas you are unsure about, and ask a roofer to take a look instead.
If you have doubts about the work, an independent look can help you understand whether something is wrong or just unfamiliar. We can talk through what we see and explain it in plain terms. Photographs are useful to keep with your records.
Tell us about the job and we will be in touch.
Prefer to talk? Call 07561 405402 or WhatsApp us.
