We use essential cookies to run this site, and optional cookies only with your consent. Cookie policy AcceptReject Open 7 days · Hours vary by day · 25 years' experience Office: 01279 216 215 | Mobile: 07932 442502 Services Areas About Our Work Blog Reviews Contact 01279 216 215 Free Quote - Home - Blog - Winter Roof Checklist: 12 Things Every Hertfordshire Homeowner Should Check Before December Roofing # Winter Roof Checklist: 12 Things Every Hertfordshire Homeowner Should Check Before December Updated May 2026 7 min read By Jamie Pocock Most winter roof emergencies we attend in Bishop's Stortford, Stansted and Saffron Walden trace back to faults that were visible — often from the ground — six months earlier. A 20-minute walk around the outside of your property in autumn will catch the vast majority of them. Here's the exact checklist we use on annual inspections. Print it, walk the perimeter, and tick off what you can see. ## 1. Slipped or missing tiles Stand back 10 metres from each elevation. Look for dark gaps, tiles sitting at odd angles, or a single tile lower than its neighbours. Even one missing tile lets driving rain into the felt within hours. ## 2. Ridge tile movement Ridge tiles bedded in old sand-and-cement mortar lift in storms. Look along the ridgeline — it should be perfectly straight. Any visible mortar loss or tile separation needs repair before December. ## 3. Lead flashing condition Where the roof meets a chimney, dormer or wall, lead flashing seals the joint. Look for curled edges, splits, or flashing that has pulled away from the brickwork. This is the #1 cause of chimney-side leaks. ## 4. Chimney mortar joints Failed pointing on a chimney stack soaks like a sponge in winter, then transfers damp into bedrooms below. If joints look recessed, sandy or vegetated, the stack needs repointing. ## 5. Gutters — visibly sagging or overflowing Walk the perimeter during light rain. Water cascading over the front edge of a gutter (rather than running through it) means it's blocked or has fallen out of fall. Frozen water in a blocked gutter splits PVCu sections every winter. ## 6. Downpipe joints Check each downpipe joint and the connection at the gully. Damp staining on render below a joint is a leak — and it'll freeze and split the joint open in January. ## 7. Fascia & soffit rot On older timber fascias, look for paint flaking and grey, soft timber. Once water gets behind the fascia it tracks straight into the roof void. Modern UPVC fascia replacements last 25+ years. ## 8. Loose or lifted ridge of flat roofs For garage, dormer or extension flat roofs, look at the perimeter trim. Lifted edges in summer become wind-torn membranes in the first winter storm. ## 9. Visible felt or membrane patches Patch repairs more than 5 years old usually fail in cold snaps as adhesive contracts. If you can count more than three patches, the roof is past repair-only stage. ## 10. Daylight through the loft Go into the loft on a sunny day with the light off. Any pinpricks of daylight through the felt = water entry points in heavy rain. ## 11. Damp staining on rafters or felt Brown or black tide marks on roof timbers mean water is already entering. Photograph each one — note the position so a roofer can locate the external defect. ## 12. Insulation depth Current spec is 270mm of mineral wool. Older houses often have 100mm or less. Topping up costs £300–£600 and pays back in one heating season — and it dramatically reduces ice-dam risk on the roof above. ## What to do if you spot a problem Anything in points 1–6 needs eyes on it from a roofer before the first frost. We carry out free no-obligation roof checks across Bishop's Stortford, Stansted Mountfitchet, Sawbridgeworth, Great Dunmow and Saffron Walden — usually within 48 hours of the call. SeasonalRoof MaintenanceBishop's Stortford FAQs ## Frequently asked questions ### svg]:rotate-180 text-left font-bold text-base hover:no-underline py-5" data-radix-collection-item=""> How often should I have my roof inspected? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-left font-bold text-base hover:no-underline py-5" data-radix-collection-item=""> Do you charge for roof inspections? ### svg]:rotate-180 text-left font-bold text-base hover:no-underline py-5" data-radix-collection-item=""> What's the worst time of year for roof leaks? ## Spot a problem? Get a free roof check before winter. We'll walk the roof, photograph every defect, and give you a written quote — no pressure, no callbacks. Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire & Essex. See our roof repair service 01279 216 215 More from the blog ## Keep reading Roofing ### 5 Signs Your Flat Roof Needs Replacing — Not Just Patching When patch repairs stop being economic. Five visible signs that a full flat roof replacement is the right call. Read article Maintenance ### What Blocked Gutters Actually Cost You — and Why a £120 Clean Saves £6,000 Later The maths on what blocked gutters cause downstream — and the simple annual habit that prevents all of it. Read article Roofing ### Chimney Leak After a Storm — What to Check Before You Call Storm-driven chimney leaks have four common causes. Here's how to identify which one you're looking at. Read article Owner-led roofing and building contractors covering Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire and Essex. 25 years of hands-on trade experience. Open seven days. 01279 216 215 (office) 07932 442502 (mobile) info@jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk 1 Ugley Hall Cottages, Bishop's Stortford CM22 6JB Open 7 days a week - Sun 07:00–17:30 - Mon 07:00–17:00 - Tue 07:30–17:00 - Wed 07:00–17:30 - Thu 07:00–17:30 - Fri 06:00–18:00 - Sat 09:00–17:00 We accept VISAAMEX PayG Pay ### Roofing - All roofing services - Flat Roofing - Roof Repairs & Maintenance - Emergency Roof Repairs - Guttering, Fascias & Soffits - Chimney Repairs & Repointing ### Building & Construction - All building services - Building & Extensions - Loft Conversions - Renovations & Refurbishments - Brickwork & Masonry - Damp Proofing & Waterproofing - Plastering & Rendering - Patio & Driveway Installations - Fencing & Garden Walls - Property Maintenance ### Areas We Cover - Bishop's Stortford - Stansted Mountfitchet - Sawbridgeworth - Great Dunmow - Harlow - Saffron Walden - Epping - Ware - Hoddesdon - Broxbourne - Cheshunt - Welwyn Garden City - Stevenage ### Company - About J&Co - Our Recent Work - Blog - Customer Reviews - Contact Us © 2026 J&Co Builders Ltd · Trading as J&Co Contractors · All rights reserved. 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