Roof Inspection Checklist for Brighton Homeowners

Ground-Level Visual Check — 10 Minutes

Walk all four sides of the property. Look at each roof slope carefully from different angles. You're looking for:

Tiles and Slates

• Missing tiles — gaps in the roof plane visible from the ground
• Slipped tiles — tiles that have slid down and are out of line with the course above
• Broken tiles — visible cracks or pieces missing from individual tiles
• Uneven roof surface — a wavy or irregular roof plane can indicate batten or rafter issues
• Heavy moss or black biological growth concentrated in one area — can indicate a slow leak keeping that area damp

Ridge and Hip

• Displaced ridge tiles — any ridge tile that appears rotated, lifted or out of line
• Visible gaps in the mortar fillet along the ridge
• Hip tiles that appear loose or have visible mortar gaps at the joints

Chimneys

• Visible mortar loss between bricks — look for the shadow of recessed joints
• White efflorescence (salt deposits) on the chimney face
• Separation of lead flashing from the brickwork
• Chimney lean — sight along the stack from both axes
• Cracked or missing chimney pots

Gutters and Fascias

• Guttering pulling away from the fascia
• Visible sag in gutter sections
• Green staining or tide marks below gutter joints — indicates overflow
• Fascia boards that appear discoloured, cracked or pulling away from the wall

Key fact: Standard RICS HomeBuyer surveys do not include roof-level access, meaning most Brighton homeowners have never had their roof physically inspected — a gap that hides nail sickness and batten decay invisible from ground level.

Loft Inspection — 5 Minutes

After any significant storm, open the loft hatch and check with a torch:

• Daylight — any point of light visible through the roof structure indicates a hole or gap that needs attention
• Fresh damp patches — on rafters, purlins or the underside of the felt/ membrane. Old dark staining may be historic; fresh dark patches or active moisture is current
• Active drips or runs — obvious and urgent
• Debris — fresh tile fragments, mortar, or displaced insulation can indicate structural movement
• Damp smell — not diagnostic alone but worth noting and investigating

Seasonal Checklist

Autumn (October-November)

• Clear gutters after leaf fall — before the heavy winter rain
• Clear valleys of accumulated leaf debris
• Check downpipes are flowing freely
• Note any moss growth that has appeared over summer for treatment

Spring (March-April)

• Clear gutters of winter debris — gravel, tile fragments, moss shed from roof
• Ground-level visual check after winter storms
• Loft check for any damp that has appeared over winter
• Arrange professional survey if any concerns identified

After Any Major Storm

• Ground-level visual check — all four elevations
• Loft inspection with torch
• Check valleys are clear — storm debris blocks them rapidly
• Call for professional assessment if any tiles are displaced or damp is found

Brighton-Specific Notes

Brighton's coastal position means some checks are more important here than inland:

• Lead flashings — inspect more frequently than inland guidance suggests. Salt air corrodes lead 30-40% faster here. Any sign of separation, cracking or white deposits on lead warrants a closer look.
• Valley blockage — the combination of coastal winds depositing debris and tree canopy in many Brighton neighbourhoods means valleys block more frequently than inland. Clear twice yearly as a minimum.
• Nail sickness on older properties — if your property has concrete interlocking tile from before 1980 and has never been re-roofed, a professional nail sickness assessment is worthwhile. The condition is invisible from ground level and from the loft.

We carry out free roof surveys across Brighton and East Sussex — including a written report of findings. Call 01273 973 996 to arrange.

Getting the Right Roofer for This Job

The quality difference between roofing contractors in Brighton is significant — not just in price but in knowledge, specification and materials. For any job involving conservation area materials, lime mortar on Victorian properties, code 5 lead in coastal positions, or nail sickness assessment on older concrete tile, you need a roofer with specific experience of Brighton's housing stock.

The right way to assess a roofer for your job: ask specifically about their experience with your property type and the specific work required; ask for references from comparable recent jobs you can call; verify NFRC registration independently at nfrc.co.uk; get a written quote that specifies materials, not just a price.

What to Ask Before You Book

• Have you done this type of work on similar properties in Brighton?
• What mortar specification do you use on Victorian properties? (Answer should be lime)
• What lead code do you specify for this position? (Code 5 for exposed coastal)
• Can you provide references from similar recent jobs?
• Is your NFRC registration current? (Verify at nfrc.co.uk)
• What does the written guarantee cover and for how long?

We carry out free surveys across Brighton and East Sussex. Call 01273 973 996 to arrange.

Last reviewed: 21 July 2026 · Brighton Roofing Experts