Slipped or missing tiles
People notice: a gap in the rows of tiles or slates, a tile or slate on the lawn or path, a darker patch on one slope after rain.
Usually a few tiles or slates have slipped because their nails or clips have rusted through. If they're going in several places, it can be a sign the roof is near the end of its life.
Photos that help: the gap, zoomed in from the street or an upstairs window opposite; any broken pieces that have come down; the same spot from inside the loft.
Roof repairs and leaksLoose ridge tiles
People notice: ridge tiles out of line, or rocking in the wind, crumbs of mortar in the gutter or on the path, daylight showing along the top of the loft.
Often the mortar bedding under the ridge tiles has cracked or washed out, so the tiles need lifting and re-bedding or fixing down.
Photos that help: the whole ridge line from the street, zoomed in; any mortar or pieces of tile that have fallen; the underside of the ridge from the loft, if it's safe to get up there.
Roof repairs and leaksChimney trouble
People notice: gaps or crumbling mortar between the bricks, damp on the chimney breast inside, a leaning stack or a loose pot.
Often the brickwork needs repointing, or the lead flashing where the chimney meets the roof has worn. A chimney that's no longer used can be taken down.
Photos that help: the whole stack from the street; where the chimney meets the roof; any damp on the chimney breast inside.
Chimney repairs and removalGutters and downpipes
People notice: water pouring over the edge when it rains, drips from a joint, a run sagging or pulling away from the wall.
Often a joint has failed or the gutter is blocked. Old cast or sagging runs can be better replaced than patched.
Photos that help: the gutter while it's raining, if you can; the leaking joint or the sagging section; any damp or green staining on the wall below.
GutteringA damp patch or drip inside
People notice: a brown stain on an upstairs ceiling, drips in the loft after rain, damp insulation or a musty smell.
Water can run a long way along the timbers before it shows, so the stain isn't always under the problem. Slipped tiles, worn flashing and blocked gutters are common causes.
Photos that help: the stain, with something in the shot for scale; the loft above it with a torch, if it's safe; the outside of the roof above that room.
Roof repairs and leaksStorm damage
People notice: tiles or slates down after high winds, ridge tiles or flashing lifted, water coming in for the first time.
Wind usually lifts tiles at the edges and along the ridge first. The sooner it's looked at, the less water gets into the timbers.
Photos that help: every side of the roof you can see from the ground; anything that has come down; any water coming in inside.
Storm damageA roof that's had its day
People notice: slipping in more than one place, a repair needed every winter, sagging or uneven slopes.
When repairs keep coming back, a re-roof can make more sense than patching: the old covering is stripped, new felt and battens go on, then new tiles or slates. Reviewers who had a re-roof mention better insulation afterwards.
Photos that help: each slope of the roof from the street; the underside of the roof from the loft; any repairs you've had done before.
New roofs and re-roofingGeneral guidance only. Please don't climb onto the roof: photos from the ground, a window or the loft are plenty.
