A roof survey is more than a look from the pavement. Here is the checklist we work through, how findings should be reported, and how a roofer's inspection differs from a homebuyer survey.
Three levels of inspection
A ground and binocular check identifies obvious displaced tiles, ridge movement and gutter faults, and is enough to decide whether anything more is needed. A loft inspection adds the underside view: felt condition, timber moisture, ventilation and daylight.
A full access survey, from a tower, ladder or scaffold, is the only one that tells you the real condition of flashings, valleys, verges and mortar. Anyone giving you a re roof price without at least a loft inspection is estimating, not surveying.
The covering and the fixings
We record the covering type and age, count broken and slipped units, and check nail condition on slate roofs. Nail sickness, where the fixings corrode while the slates remain sound, is the single most common reason a Victorian roof needs stripping.
Battens are assessed for size, spacing and rot, and the underlay for tears, slumping and whether it drains into the gutter rather than behind it. A membrane discharging behind the gutter quietly rots the fascia for years.
Details, drainage and structure
Chimneys, abutments, valleys, hips and verges get individual attention, because that is where the failures concentrate. Lead is checked for code, length of bays, cracking at folds and whether it has been chased in or stuck on.
Inside, we look at rafter and purlin lines for deflection, spread at the wall plate, and any past alteration such as a removed strut for a loft conversion. Our sagging roof guide explains what those movements mean.
What the written report should give you
A useful inspection produces photographs, a plain description of each fault, an urgency rating, and a costed recommendation with alternatives where they exist. It should also say clearly what is fine, because knowing which parts have years left is as valuable as knowing what has failed.
If a report only lists problems and ends in a single large number, ask for the breakdown. Our guide on what a roofing quote should include sets out what to expect.
When to have your roof looked at
Sensible triggers are before buying a property, after a named storm, when a homebuyer report flags the roof, before committing to solar panels or a loft conversion, and roughly every five years on a covering over 30 years old.
We do not charge for looking at a roof and giving you our opinion and a quotation. A formal written condition report for a purchase or dispute is a separate piece of work, and we agree that in advance.
Is a roofer's survey the same as a homebuyer report?
No. A homebuyer surveyor typically inspects from ground level and recommends further investigation. A roofer gets closer, identifies the specific fault and can price the remedy.
Do you charge to look at a roof?
Assessing your roof and providing a written quotation is free. A formal condition report prepared as a standalone document is chargeable and agreed with you beforehand.
How long does an inspection take?
A domestic property is usually 30 to 60 minutes including the loft. A larger or heavily detailed roof, or one needing tower access, takes longer.
Photographs from height are useful for a first look at inaccessible areas, but they cannot tell you whether a slate nail has corroded or a lead lap is short. Nothing replaces hands on inspection before major work.
Can you inspect a roof I am about to buy?
Yes, with the current owner's permission for access. It is one of the most common requests we get in Witney and Oxford.
Want an honest opinion on your roof?
We will look at it properly, show you photographs of anything we find, and tell you if it needs nothing doing.
Evans Roofing & Maintenance Ltd, Witney, Oxfordshire. Call 07960 482233 for a free written quote.