You cannot inspect a roof the way a roofer does, but you can still judge the work. These are the things to check from the ground and the questions to ask.
After roofing work, most people cannot go up and check, and should not try. You can still tell a lot from the ground and from the way the job was handled. On a Brislington semi with hips, a garage and an extension, there are several clear signs that work was done well. Here is what to look at and what to ask.
Start with the written description
Before the work, you should have a written description of what was to be done, and afterwards it should match. If it said ridge re-bedding and two lengths of flashing, check that is what happened. Anything extra should have been discussed with you, not just done and added to the bill. This protects both sides.
What to see from the ground
Stand back at the front and rear and look at the roof lines. Rows of tiles should run straight, the ridge and hips should sit evenly, and the new material should not look crooked or patchy. Mortar should be neat at the ends, and there should be no loose bits on the path, the drive or in the gutters. Binoculars from the pavement are useful for checking. Compare the front and back slopes, as the rear is often where extensions and garages meet the main house.
- Straight, even lines along ridge and hips
- Tidy mortar ends with no crumbs below
- No missing, cracked or out-of-place tiles
- Gutters clean and running to the downpipes
Look at the details nobody notices
Lead should sit flat and tight against the wall, without gaps. Fascias and soffits should be straight and fixed firmly, with joints neat and the gutters properly aligned. On flat roofs, edges and upstands should look secure, and no water should be standing on the surface after rain. These are the places where rushed work shows. A flat roof that holds water after rain suggests poor falls.
How the job was handled
A good roofer arranges access clearly, keeps the site tidy, explains problems as they come up and leaves the property clean. You should have been told what was found, ideally with photos. If they were evasive about what was done, or left debris behind, that tells you something about the quality of the work. We work that way ourselves.
Questions to ask at the end
Ask what exactly was done, which materials were used and what to look for in future. Ask for photos of areas you cannot see, such as the loft side or behind flashings. If something looks wrong, say so promptly, and a fair roofer will come back and look rather than argue. Keep the written description and any photos in case you need to refer back to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it leaks again after the repair?
Report it quickly and ask the roofer to return to check. Leaks can have more than one cause, and a fair roofer should look again and explain what they find, without making you feel awkward for asking. Keep any photos and the written description to hand.
Can I check the work myself from the loft?
You can look from the loft with a torch for daylight, damp timber and stained felt, which is a sensible check. Do not go onto the roof itself. If something looks off, call the roofer or us for a proper look. The loft is a safe place to look from.
How do I know the right materials were used?
Compare the written description against what you can see from the ground, and ask what was fitted. A good roofer names the materials and explains why. If you cannot tell, ask for photos of the work. Photos are the easiest proof.
Talk to our team about general roofing services in Brislington
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