HOME MAINTENANCE Roofs

Good roof maintenance is vital to avoid water damage to a building’s fabric. Slipped slates or tiles, failing leadwork and roof valleys blocked by debris will all wreak havoc if neglected. When roof timbers become damp, rot, beetle infestation and ultimately structural problems result; plasterwork to ceilings and walls may also fail or become stained.

Roofs should be checked regularly, especially after storms. Binoculars are a useful aid when doing external checks, and further examination may be possible from rooflights or dormer windows. If loft access is available, inspect the