DIY Inspection
DIY Inspection
DIY Roofing Inspections
The roof, chimney stack and guttering must be kept in a good condition to enable a property to remain weatherproof. Ineffective covering can lead to expensive work to the underlying waterproof membrane, timbers and any decorative finishes, which will deteriorate rapidly in damp conditions or whilst leaking.
Slate and Concrete Tile Roofs
Checking the condition of slate and concrete tile roofs
From the roof space inside
If the inside of the roof is unlined, check for cracks showing daylight as this will indicate areas needing closer inspection. Shine a torch on the timbers and check for water staining. If stains are found on the timber, try to trace the source of the stain. It is useful to inspect the inner roof space after a long period of rain, as the source of a leak is easier to trace. Slate and concrete tiles do deteriorate with age so check for hairline cracks by looking for staining on the tiles, often in the form of a white type of powder desposit
From ground level
Outside, check the whole roof by inspecting at ground level. It is easy to spot a disjointed or slipped slate or concrete tile against the regular lines of slates and concrete tiles. If there is a change to the colour of a section, it could be newly exposed and therefore unweathered. Look for a powdery or flaky surface, known as delamination, which shows deteriorating slate or concrete tile, which is no longer doing its job effectively. Look at the ridge on the skyline and check for gaps in the mortar joints. Check for the state of the flashings at abutments and around chimney stacks. Check for fallen pieces of mortar.
If the roof is too high to allow you comfortable access by ladder for a closer inspection, use binoculars to scan the surface as carefully as possible, from all angles - front, back and sides where applicable.
Felt Roof
Checking the condition of a felt roof
From inside
Check for water staining on the ceiling as this will indicate dampness getting through. Felt covering can deteriorate with age and become porous. This can result in the surface becoming uneven, buckling or cracking in areas. On a particularly wet day, check for drips of water seeping through the surface. It is useful to inspect the ceiling after a long period of rain, as the source of a leak is easier to trace. If stains are found, try tracing the source of the stain as it is not always directly overhead. Water can penetrate the roof surface and travel between the roof and ceiling level before finding its way through the ceiling.
Outside at ground level
Outside, check the roof by inspecting at ground level. Check the apron, which is the area where the edge of the front of the roof does not meet a wall. Here strips of felt are secured over fascia boards, sealing the edges of the roof. If there is a change to the colour of a section, it could be newly exposed and therefore unweathered. If the roof is too high to allow you comfortable access by ladder for a closer inspection, use binoculars to scan the surface as carefully as possible, from all angles - front, back and sides where applicable.
Chimneys
Chimney stacks should be checked regularly for any potential problems. By keeping an eye on their condition or change of condition, repairs can be carried out as soon as they are required, preventing further dampness penetrating.
Checking the condition of a chimney stack
From inside
Mortar or flashing can deteriorate with age and be in need of repair or replacement. It is useful to inspect the ceiling after a long period of rain, as the source of a leak is easier to trace. If stains are found, try tracing the source of the stain as it is not always directly overhead.
Check inside the roof space for signs of dampness around the chimney stack.
Water staining on the ceiling or on the chimney breast walls will indicate dampness getting through. Dampness here indicates problems with the flashings or mortar causing the water to penetrate and run down the walls. If there is water staining inside a room near a fireplace lower down the walls, then the problem could be due to the flue and the fireplace being completely sealed.
Outside at ground level
Outside, check the roof by inspecting at ground level. If chimney pots are broken, cracked or missing they are easy to spot. Only the edges of the flaunching can be seen, but check for deterioration or cracks in the mortar holding the pots in position.
Use binoculars to scan the surface around the stack as carefully as possible, from all angles - front, back and sides where applicable. Look for mortar missing from between bricks on the stack itself.
Check that the stack is still in a vertical position and not leaning. Look out for bulges in masonry or blown rendering or pebbledash.
Guttering
The purpose of guttering is to efficiently channel rain water from the roof towards a downpipe which in turn carries it down to ground level and then into the drainage system. This system helps to stop the walls of the house becoming saturated and causing problems with dampness.
Gutter maintenance
Whatever the material used for guttering, an accumulation of material such as leaves dirt or other debris washed off the roof can lead to a blockage in the system. Regular annual inspections often show an accumulation of material, which can be removed with a scraper or trowel. At the junction of the gutter and the downpipe, place a proprietary wire balloon or a crushed ball of chicken wire at the outlet to help prevent further blockages in the downpipe.