What Happens During a Roof Survey? What We Check and What We Tell You

Access: Why the Roofer Has to Get On the Roof

A ground-level inspection identifies obvious problems — missing tiles, sagging gutters, visible mortar gaps at ridge level. It doesn't identify nail sickness on 70% of tiles, perished felt at the eaves, failed lead flashings hidden behind tile courses, or soft spots in the deck of a flat extension. A survey that doesn't involve getting on the roof is a sales visit, not a survey. We access every roof we survey.

What We Check: Tiles and Coverings

We check every slope for: tiles that are cracked, slipped from position, or have lifted tails; nail sickness — testing individual tiles by lifting the tail to feel for nail resistance; surface condition on concrete tiles (heavily weathered tiles have reduced lifespan); and any areas where tiles are bridging a gap rather than sitting on a sound batten. We note the tile profile and manufacturer where identifiable, which matters for replacement matching.

What We Check: Structure Below the Tiles

Where accessible (eaves, any open areas, and from the loft inside), we check felt condition — whether it's sound, perished, or split at laps; batten depth and spacing — whether it's appropriate for the tile profile; and any evidence of past water entry on the timber (staining, soft spots, rot). On older properties, the felt spec often tells us more about the roof's remaining life than the tile condition does.

What We Check: Junctions and Details

Ridge and verge mortar — bedding condition, pointing depth and adhesion; valley condition — whether lead valleys are correctly bedded and lapped, or whether mortar valleys have cracked; chimney flashings — step flashing, cover flashing, back gutter, haunching; abutment flashings where the roof meets a wall; and flat roof sections — membrane condition, falls, perimeter detailing, and outlet condition.

The Written Survey Report

After the survey, we provide a written report covering each element with: current condition (good / monitor / attention needed / immediate action); the specific issue found; the recommended action; and an indicative cost. This gives you a prioritised maintenance schedule rather than a list of works to authorise immediately. P1 items need addressing before the next winter; P2 items should be addressed within 12 months; P3 items are worth monitoring.