We’re all familiar with spring cleaning. Homeowners love to get their interiors in order once the days start brightening up. But what about the exterior of your property? Spring is the ideal time to give your property the once over on the outside too. And that includes your roof.

Read on as we look at why spring is the best time to check the state of your roof and how to go about doing it.

Winter of discontent for your roof At last, we can wave goodbye to winter. Cold, wet days and long, dark nights are nobody’s idea of fun. And they’re hardly a joy for your roof. There are a number of problems that the winter weather can cause for your roof. First of all, snow. It may not be constant, but the UK typically gets one or two periods of heavy snowfall over winter. This means extra weight for your roof to bear. It can weaken parts of your roof or expose existing issues. Ice and freezing temperatures are another issue as they cause freeze-thaw action to occur. This is when water gets into small cracks or porous roofing materials and expands as it freezes. Over time, the recurrence of freeze-thaw can cause larger cracks to appear and allow water to penetrate your roof. More than a breeze On top of all this, the UK endures much higher wind speeds through winter. Strong winds can loosen some roofing materials if they have been poorly installed or already weakened through years of wear and tear. The result? Roof tiles may slip out of place or fall off your roof altogether. Loose guttering can also be affected by these strong winds. That’s not even mentioning potentially dangerous debris like tree branches being blown onto your roof and causing damage in particularly strong gusts. Add the typical winter rainfall to the equation and you have a pretty hefty cocktail of problems. Any cracks in the roof, missing tiles or weak guttering will be made worse when the rain starts coming down. It’s no surprise that winter is a busy time for roofing contractors across the nation going on countless emergency callouts. When winter is over, it’s only natural to feel relieved. Your roof made it through unscathed and there’s been no major collapses or leaks. However, it’s also a time for action. Your roof may have kept out the elements, but it might also have been weakened by the constant battering from rain, wind and freezing temperatures. This can easily come to the fore during the rainfall through spring, summer and autumn. But even more so through next winter, when your weakened roof might not cope as well. That’s why, with the worst of it over, now is the perfect time to give your roof a health check. Here’s how… 1. Start on the inside The easiest way to spot any problems with your roof after winter is on the inside of your property. While you might not have noticed any major leaks, there could be more subtle signs of water ingress on closer inspection. Check ceilings and the top of walls for dark or damp patches. Check for sagging in the attic, which is a clear sign that your roof’s structure can’t handle the added pressure. Homeowners should also consider the moisture levels in their roof space. Are the rafters or walls visibly damp? Your roof’s ventilation may have become damaged over winter. 2. Guttering Gutters play a crucial role in your roofing system. While the roof itself stops water getting into the property from the top, gutters are there to direct it away as it falls off the roof’s surface. With that in mind, damaged gutters can have disastrous results. Check firstly for gutters that are loose, sagging pulling away from the property. Guttering needs to be securely fixed to the walls. Look for cracks too. If left untreated, these will allow water to leak out from the gutter and damage the home’s walls and, long term, foundations. How about debris? Leaves, twigs or just dirt can easily build up over autumn and winter and leave your gutters blocked. This soon causes water to overflow and spill out near your property’s perimeter. Make sure gutters are clear after winter so they can continue to direct water away. 3. Damaged roof tiles The next thing to look for is damage to roof tiles. Understandably, roof tiles are a key feature for any roof. They’re the first layer of protection against the elements. However, tiles may have become loose or even been blown off in high winds. Even the smallest gap in your roof’s covering can allow water to penetrate. Over time, that means water leaking into your home and even a weakened roof structure. A professional roof inspection will identify any broken, loose or missing roof tiles without risking more damage to your property. 4. Checking the flashing Flashing is the strips of lead which cover joins in the roof around chimneys, vents or even just where two roof planes join. It stops water from getting into areas where they may otherwise be gaps in the roof’s covering. With that in mind, it’s an essential part of your roof. In the harsh winter weather, flashing can become loose or slip out of place. It needs to be completely flush against the roof to function properly. 5. Spot the moss The wet wintry conditions might stop some plant life in its tracks. But sadly, that’s not the case for moss. Over the winter months, you may not spot moss developing on your roof. That’s why spring is the perfect time to check – and eliminate the problem. While moss may not seem a major problem, it holds moisture on your roof which can damage to tiles over time. It will also leave an unsightly dark stain on your roof if it’s left to sit and grow for long periods. 6. Don’t do it yourself The most important tip of all when it comes to a spring-time roof check is to get in the professionals. DIY roof work – including inspections – is dangerous for both you and your property. Without comprehensive training to work at height, along with all the necessary safety equipment, you can easily slip or just step in the wrong place, causing damage to your roof or, even worse, yourself. DPR Roofing in Barnsley Post-winter roof inspections are a great idea to keep your roof working well. But DIY inspections and repairs simply aren’t worth the risk. If you’re looking for a professional roof inspection in Barnsley and the surrounding areas, be sure to get in touch with DPR Roofing. We are a team of expert roofers in Barnsley with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. Dealing with both domestic and commercial clients, we have delivered the best results on everything from guttering repairs to full roof replacements. In short, we provide roofing services you can trust.