Kent winters bring wind, heavy rain and frost — exactly the conditions that expose a tired roof. A little attention in autumn can prevent the leaks, slipped tiles and chimney problems that turn into emergency calls in January. Here is a practical checklist for preparing your roof for winter.
Clear the gutters
Gutters choked with autumn leaves and moss overflow in heavy rain, saturating the fascias and walls. Clear them once or twice a year, especially where trees overhang. See our guttering page.
Check for slipped or cracked tiles
A slipped or cracked tile is a leak waiting to happen. From the ground, look for any that look out of line. For a proper view, we use a drone — see our roof inspections page.
Inspect the chimney
Chimneys take the full force of winter weather. Crumbling mortar, cracked flaunching and perished flashing all let water in. Have the stack inspected before the worst weather — see our chimney repairs page.
Check the leadwork
Cracked or split lead flashing around chimneys and valleys is a common winter leak source. Read our article on chimney lead flashing and our leadwork page.
Inspect flat roofs
Flat roofs are vulnerable to ponding, splits and failed seams in freezing conditions. Have any flat roof checked for defects before winter — see our flat roofing page.
Book a winter roof inspection
The simplest way to prepare is a professional roof inspection. We check the covering, chimneys, leadwork, valleys and gutters — using drone imagery where needed — and flag anything that needs attention before winter. Arrange yours through our quote form.