October is the most important month of the year to check your roof. By November, the worst of the autumn storms will have arrived across North Lincolnshire, and by December, the freeze and thaw cycle will be putting real stress on tiles, mortar, flashing, and guttering. Problems that are minor in October can become emergency repairs by January.
The good news is that a thorough pre-winter check does not require getting on the roof yourself. Most of the checks on this list can be carried out from the ground, from inside the loft, or by booking a free professional inspection with JM Roofing. We cover Brigg, Scunthorpe, and the wider North Lincolnshire area and carry out free pre-winter inspections for homeowners throughout the region.
This checklist covers everything you should look at before winter arrives.
Why Pre-Winter Roof Checks Matter in North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire winters are demanding on roofs. The region experiences significant rainfall from October through to March, with strong winds from the direction of the Humber estuary adding to the load. Frost and ice create freeze and thaw cycles that cause existing cracks in mortar and tiles to widen rapidly. A small issue in October becomes a larger, more expensive problem in December.
Getting ahead of winter with a proper inspection is almost always cheaper than dealing with the consequences of leaving it. Water that gets into the roof structure during winter can cause timber rot and mould that is expensive and disruptive to remedy in spring.
The Pre-Winter Roof Inspection Checklist
Work through these checks in order. Anything that raises a concern is a reason to book a professional inspection.
1. Check the Roofline from the Street
Stand back from your property and look at the full roofline from the pavement or a neighbouring field. A healthy roof should have straight, even lines with no visible dips, waves, or sections that appear to have dropped.
What to look for:
- Sagging or uneven sections along the ridge or anywhere on the slope
- Tiles that are sitting at a different angle to those around them
- Missing tiles that leave a visible gap in the covering
- Ridge or hip tiles that appear to have shifted or are sitting crookedly
Do this check from multiple angles if your property allows it. Front, back, and side views can reveal different issues.
2. Inspect Tiles and Slates Using Binoculars
Using binoculars from the ground, scan methodically across the full tile surface. Look for:
- Cracked, broken, or missing tiles or slates
- Tiles that have slipped downward out of position
- Areas where tiles appear darker or more saturated than surrounding tiles
- Significant moss or lichen growth, particularly at the edges and ridge line
- Loose tiles that are moving or rattling in the wind
Any tile damage identified now can be repaired before the heavy winter rain arrives. The same repair that costs a modest amount in October can cost significantly more if water has been getting in through the gap for several months.
3. Examine Ridge and Hip Tiles
Ridge tiles at the apex of the roof and hip tiles along the diagonal corners are the most exposed elements of any pitched roof. On older properties across Brigg and North Lincolnshire, these are typically bedded in sand and cement mortar. Mortar deteriorates over time as the roof moves with temperature changes, and winter accelerates this process significantly.
Check for:
- Visible cracking or gaps in the mortar around ridge tiles
- Ridge tiles that appear to have moved or are sitting unevenly
- Mortar debris visible in gutters or on the ground below
- Any ridge tile that appears loose when the wind blows
If your ridge tiles are still bedded in traditional mortar rather than a dry ridge system, any deterioration now is a warning sign. Winter frost will open existing cracks further and can dislodge tiles entirely during a hard freeze.
4. Check Lead Flashing Around Chimneys and Dormers
Lead flashing seals the joints between your roof and vertical surfaces such as chimney stacks, dormer walls, and any other roof junctions. It is one of the most common sources of winter leaks on properties across Brigg and Scunthorpe, and one of the areas most often overlooked in a quick visual check.
From the ground, look for:
- Visible gaps between the lead flashing and the masonry around your chimney
- Lifting or peeling of the lead at edges and corners
- Staining on the chimney stack below the flashing line
From inside the property:
- Damp patches on ceilings or walls near chimney breasts or dormer windows
- A musty smell near chimney areas, particularly after rain
Any sign of flashing failure should be addressed before the sustained winter rainfall arrives. A failed section of flashing in October will almost certainly result in a leak by December.
5. Clear and Inspect Gutters and Downpipes
Gutters are part of the roof drainage system and are critical to keeping water away from the roof edge, fascia boards, and external walls. October is the ideal time to clear them before the heaviest autumn leaf fall blocks them completely.
Check for:
- Debris, leaves, or moss that has accumulated in the gutter channel
- Gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the fascia boards
- Water marks on external walls below the gutter line, indicating overflow
- Joints between gutter sections that are leaking or have separated
- Downpipes that are blocked, loose, or discharging at the wrong location
A blocked gutter in winter causes water to overflow and back up against the roof edge. In freezing conditions, this standing water turns to ice and can cause significant damage to the fascia boards and the roof edge itself.
6. Check Fascias and Soffits
Fascia boards run along the roof edge and provide the mounting point for the guttering system. Soffits fill the space underneath the eaves. Both can deteriorate significantly on older properties, particularly those with timber boards that have not been replaced with uPVC.
Look for:
- Peeling paint or visible moisture staining
- Areas that feel soft or spongy when pressed, which indicate rot
- Gaps where the fascia meets the soffit or the wall
- Guttering that appears to be pulling the fascia board away from the roof
Rotted fascias cannot support guttering properly, which leads to further movement and potential water damage over winter. Replacing damaged fascias and soffits before winter is far easier than doing so in January.
7. Check the Loft Space
Your loft space gives you a direct view of the underside of the roof and is one of the best early warning systems available. Check it on a dry day before winter arrives.
Look for:
- Any daylight visible through the roof structure
- Damp patches or water staining on the roof timbers or insulation
- Timbers that feel soft, which may indicate rot
- Felt that is visibly sagging, torn, or damp
- A persistent smell of dampness or mould
An issue identified in the loft in October is almost always simpler and cheaper to address than one discovered in December because a damp patch has appeared on the bedroom ceiling below.
8. Check Flat Roofs on Garages and Extensions
If your property has a flat roof on a garage, porch, or extension, this warrants its own check before winter. Flat roofs are more vulnerable than pitched roofs to the effects of standing water, frost, and debris accumulation.
Look for:
- Visible blistering, cracking, or splitting in the felt or membrane surface
- Areas where the felt has lifted at the edges or perimeter
- Any visible pooling of water on the surface 24 to 48 hours after rain
- Damp patches on the ceiling directly below the flat roof
If your flat roof is approaching or past 10 years old and is still covered in traditional felt, a pre-winter inspection is particularly important. Winter is the season when older flat roofs are most likely to fail.
When to Call a Professional
Any of the following should trigger a call to JM Roofing for a professional inspection rather than continued monitoring:
- Missing, cracked, or displaced tiles or slates
- Ridge or hip tiles that appear to have moved or are loose
- Visible gaps in lead flashing around chimneys or dormers
- Sagging or uneven roofline
- Damp patches or water staining in the loft or on ceilings
- Flat roof surface showing visible signs of deterioration
- Blocked or damaged gutters that you cannot safely clear yourself
A professional inspection from JM Roofing covers the full roof, not just the areas visible from the ground. We use ladders and appropriate equipment to assess every section properly and give you an honest, written assessment of what we find.
Book Your Free Pre-Winter Roof Inspection in Brigg or Scunthorpe
JM Roofing provides free, no-obligation pre-winter inspections for homeowners across Brigg, Scunthorpe, and North Lincolnshire. Get your roof checked now, before the worst of the weather arrives.
Book Your Free Inspection or call us on 07979 811001
You can also read more about our roof repair and full roof replacement services, or see examples of our completed work on our projects page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I get my roof inspected before winter in North Lincolnshire?
October is the ideal time — before the heaviest autumn storms and before the freeze and thaw cycle of November and December puts stress on any existing weaknesses in the roof.
Can I inspect my roof myself without getting on it?
Yes. Most pre-winter checks can be done from the ground using binoculars or from inside your loft space. Never attempt to walk on your roof without appropriate training and equipment, as this is a significant safety risk.
What are the most important things to check on a roof before winter?
The most critical areas are ridge and hip tile mortar, lead flashing around chimneys and dormers, tile condition, gutter drainage, and flat roof surfaces. These are the areas most commonly responsible for winter leaks.
How much does a pre-winter roof inspection cost in Brigg?
JM Roofing provides free, no-obligation pre-winter inspections across Brigg, Scunthorpe, and North Lincolnshire. There is no charge for the inspection and no obligation to proceed with any work.
What happens if my roof fails during winter?
Contact a local roofer as quickly as possible. Contain any water inside the property with buckets and containers, document the damage with photographs, and notify your home insurer if the damage is significant. JM Roofing attends emergency repairs across Brigg and Scunthorpe.
Does JM Roofing carry out pre-winter roof inspections across North Lincolnshire?
Yes. We carry out free pre-winter roof inspections for homeowners across Brigg, Scunthorpe, and the wider North Lincolnshire area. Get in touch to book yours before the winter weather arrives.
How long does a professional roof inspection take?
A standard domestic roof inspection typically takes between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the size and complexity of the roof. We will always explain clearly what we have found before we leave.
What is the most common cause of winter roof leaks in Brigg?
The most common causes we see are failed lead flashing around chimneys and dormers, mortar-bedded ridge tiles that have cracked or lifted, cracked or missing tiles, and blocked gutters causing water to back up under the roof edge.