Keeping a record of leaks, loose materials and previous repairs makes it easier to spot changes in your roof. Maintenance should address the problems your property actually has. An older covering, some moss or a weathered finish doesn't by itself mean you need a new roof or a coating.
Our checklist combines observations you can make safely with a record of maintenance and repairs. Use it alongside the care instructions and guarantee conditions for your particular roof.
Plan Around Your Roof
Your home may have several different roof areas: a tiled main roof, flat extension, bay, roof windows or a chimney. Keep any details you have about their materials, age, installation and guarantees. These give us a useful starting point when discussing maintenance.
Tell us about overhanging trees, exposed areas, shared gutters and places you cannot see from the ground. A roof beneath trees may need more attention to drainage than one in an open position.
Regular maintenance can help you spot problems earlier, but it cannot prevent every defect or replace the cover provided by a guarantee.
What to Review and What to Record
| Area | What you can notice or record | When to contact us |
|---|---|---|
| Main covering | Visible change, displaced pieces or repeated local repairs | New damage or a pattern of recurring failure |
| Ridges and verges | Obvious displacement or fallen fragments | Suspected loose components or unresolved defects |
| Chimneys and junctions | Visible deterioration and related interior stains | Movement, active leaks or uncertain moisture patterns |
| Gutters and downpipes | Escape points during rain and previous blockages | Repeated overflow, loose sections or ineffective repairs |
| Flat roofs | Known outlet positions, past defects and care instructions | New leaks, damaged edges or concerns needing safe access |
| Roof windows | Operating problems, visible stains and product details | Leakage or a change in surrounding finishes |
| Roof space | Previous survey findings and recent alterations | New moisture or unexplained changes requiring inspection |
| Documentation | Quotes, invoices, photographs and guarantees | Unclear details about what was repaired or who did the work |
On small screens, scroll the table sideways to view every column.
Use this checklist for things you can see safely and information you already have. Leave close inspection and checks beneath the covering to someone with the right access and experience.
How Often Should You Check Your Roof?
Spring and autumn are useful times to review some roofs, with another check after exceptional weather. IKO gives similar advice for its applicable systems. Your own roof's materials, surroundings and guarantee conditions should guide the schedule. [1]
If you notice a slipped tile or a new leak, contact us rather than waiting for the next planned check. Cleaning should also have a clear purpose; your roof may not need the same treatment every year.
Ask us what changes to watch for between visits. We can discuss the signs that would justify another look sooner.
Make Observations Safely from the Ground
Use safe viewpoints and ordinary indoor observations. Do not climb onto the roof, stand on a garage covering, lean out of windows or test whether a ridge tile is loose. HSE explains that even short maintenance work needs appropriate precautions, and apparently solid roofs can contain fragile surfaces. [2] [3]
A dated photograph showing the whole affected area helps us understand where the problem is and compare any later changes. If you also take a close-up, keep the wider picture with it.
If material appears unstable, keep people clear of the area below and seek appropriate urgent advice. A routine inspection schedule does not override an immediate safety concern.
Watch How Your Gutters Drain
From a safe position during rain, look for water escaping at joints, overflowing at outlets or running behind the gutter. Tell us where you see it, as the blockage or defect may be farther along the system.
Rainwater needs a clear route through the whole gutter and downpipe system. Historic England's maintenance advice is useful here, particularly for older properties with shared or concealed drainage. [4]
Ask us whether the gutter needs clearing, repairing or further checks to see whether it can cope with the water reaching it. We can explain what we find and any areas we cannot inspect. Read our gutter guide if the same problem keeps returning.
Moss, Coatings and Appearance
Moss and weathering do not automatically mean your roof is failing. We need to check whether there is a blockage, damaged covering, loose fixing or another problem that needs attention.
Before agreeing to cleaning or a coating, ask what it will achieve, whether it suits your roof and whether it could affect your guarantee. A cleaner-looking roof is not, by itself, proof that its life has been extended.
On an older roof, keeping sound original materials can be the right approach. Historic England recommends basing repairs on condition, so a weathered appearance alone is not a reason to replace usable tiles or slates. [5]
Keep a Record of Each Repair
Keep a note of where each repair was made, the cause identified, what was done and any limitations. An invoice that names the flashing or outlet repaired is more helpful than a note saying only 'roof fixed'.
If a leak returns, share those records with us. They help us check whether the same fault remains or whether water is getting in somewhere else. A recurring problem deserves another look.
Keep photographs of completed work with the written quote, invoice and guarantee. Make sure you also have the guarantee conditions and contact details.
Tell Us About Later Alterations
New roof windows, solar equipment, aerials, vents or work on adjoining walls can affect a roof. If you notice a problem afterwards, tell us what was changed and when.
Before another trade works on or near your roof, ask how they will protect it and whether the work affects your guarantee. The original cover may not extend to changes made by someone else.
Changes to insulation or ventilation can also affect moisture inside your home. New damp does not always mean there is a hole in the roof. Historic England's 2026 damp guidance explains why the cause needs careful investigation. [6]
A Simple Maintenance Log
A simple note is enough: record the date, roof area, what you noticed, any photographs and what happened next. Add who you contacted and when you plan to check again.
For example: '12 November, rear extension: water overflowing at the right-hand outlet during heavy rain. Photos taken from the ground. Contacted Emperor Roofing to arrange a check. Will watch the same area during the next downpour.' You are recording what you saw, without needing to diagnose it yourself.
If someone manages the property for you, agree who will arrange repairs and keep the records. That helps make sure a reported problem gets followed up.
Roofing Maintenance in Newcastle and Nearby Areas
We offer roof inspections and maintenance, roof repairs and related roofline work across Newcastle, Gateshead, Morpeth and the wider North East.
You can send us your existing records and photographs through our quote page. Let us know whether something needs attention now or you would like help planning maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should My Roof Be Inspected?
It depends on your roof's construction, exposure, nearby trees, repair history and guarantee conditions. Seasonal checks suit some roofs, but contact us sooner if you notice damage, a leak or a significant change.
Does Moss Mean the Roof Needs Replacing?
No. We need to check whether it is blocking drainage or associated with another defect. If treatment is recommended, ask what it will achieve and whether the method suits your roof.
Can a Roof Coating Replace Repairs?
A coating cannot be assumed to fix underlying damage or moisture problems. It must suit the roof and the purpose of the work. Ask what needs repairing first and how the coating would affect any existing guarantee.
Should I Walk on a Flat Roof to Check It?
Do not assume that is safe. Roofs and rooflights can be fragile, and access requires appropriate precautions. Use safe observations and arrange a competent inspection where closer access is needed.
What Should a Maintenance Report Include?
Agree the report you need before the visit. It should explain which areas were checked, any access limitations, the findings and recommended work, with relevant photographs. Ask which jobs are urgent, which can be planned and which simply need watching.
Does a New Roof Still Need Maintenance?
Yes. Gutters can still block, and weather damage or later alterations can affect a new roof. Follow the care instructions for your roof and keep its guarantee conditions to hand.
What Should I Do If a Repaired Leak Returns?
Contact the roofer who did the work with the original quote, photographs and details of when the leak returned. If we carried out the repair, let us know so we can discuss the problem and the next steps with you.
References & Sources
We have linked to the sources used in this guide so you can read more. They were checked on 27 September 2026. Manufacturer guidance applies to its own products, and published prices are examples rather than our quotes. Check the requirements for your project before arranging work. Links open in a new tab.
- IKO Roof Maintenance Guidelines ↗ Maintenance advice for the manufacturer's applicable waterproofing systems. Your roof's condition, surroundings and guarantee terms should guide the inspection schedule.
- Health and Safety Executive Construction: Roof Work ↗ HSE advice on safe access and protection during roof work. Keep your own observations to safe positions, such as from the ground, and leave roof access to professionals.
- Health and Safety Executive Fragile Surfaces ↗ HSE explains why roofs and rooflights may be fragile, and why precautions are needed even for a short maintenance job.
- Historic England Inspection, Maintenance and Repair of Rainwater Systems ↗ Advice on inspecting and maintaining gutters, downpipes and outlets, including considerations for historic buildings.
- Historic England Maintaining and Repairing Roofs ↗ Advice on traditional roof coverings, fixings and repairs. It explains why the condition of the whole roof matters when considering whether slates can be retained.
- Historic England Assessing Damp in Historic Buildings ↗ Published on 13 July 2026, this guidance explains how damp is investigated and why some findings need further checks. It is particularly useful for older masonry and recurring chimney stains.