What Happens at a Roof Inspection?

What Does a Roof Inspection Actually Involve?

A roof inspection is a systematic check of every part of your roofing system — from the ridge tiles at the top down to the gutters at the eaves. It is not a quick glance from street level. A proper inspection means a roofer getting eyes on the structure up close, either from a ladder, scaffold, or in some cases a drone for particularly complex pitches.

At Newmarket Roofers, our inspections cover both the external surface and, where accessible, the internal roof space. The Newmarket area sits in one of the driest parts of the UK, but that does not mean roofs escape punishment — sharp frosts in winter, summer UV, and the open, exposed nature of the fenland edges all take a steady toll on tiles, mortar, and flashings.

What We Look at on the Outside

The external check starts at the highest point and works down. Here is what a thorough inspector will assess:

• Ridge and hip tiles: These are the most exposed points on any pitched roof. Failed mortar here is extremely common on older Newmarket properties, particularly the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found around the town centre and the older residential streets near the Rowley Mile.
• Broken, slipped, or missing tiles: Even a single displaced tile can allow water into the roof deck within days during a heavy Suffolk downpour.
• Lead flashings: Around chimneys, dormer cheeks, and abutments, lead is the primary seal. Cracked or lifting lead is one of the most frequent causes of internal damp. Our lead work team deals with flashing failures regularly across the area.
• Chimney condition: Pointing, flaunching, and pot condition all need checking. A leaning or badly cracked stack is a structural concern, not just a cosmetic one — and may require chimney rebuilding rather than a straightforward repoint.
• Flat roof surfaces: On extensions and outbuildings, the inspector checks for ponding, blistering, cracking, or felt that has reached the end of its life. Modern flat roofing materials like EPDM and GRP fibreglass perform significantly better than old felt, and we outline your options under our flat roofing service.
• Fascias, soffits, and gutters: Blocked or sagging gutters cause water to back up under the eaves. Rotting timber soffits are a common find on properties built before the 1990s that have never had uPVC replacement boards fitted.

What We Look at on the Inside

If there is loft access, going inside the roof space adds a great deal of information. We look for daylight visible through the roof deck, which reveals cracked or missing tiles from below. We also check for damp patches, staining on the rafters, or wet insulation — all signs that water has been getting in, sometimes without showing up as an obvious ceiling leak yet.

Rafter condition matters too. In older Newmarket homes, original timber rafters can show signs of rot, woodworm, or undersized sections that would not comply with modern loading requirements. That matters particularly if the roof is approaching a full replacement.

What Happens After the Inspection?

Once the inspection is complete, you get a clear, itemised account of what we found — not a vague list designed to maximise the quote. We separate urgent repairs from advisory items, so you can make an informed decision about what to prioritise and what to monitor.

Minor issues like a handful of slipped tiles or failed pointing can usually be resolved with a straightforward visit from our roof repairs team. Where the inspection reveals that the covering is at the end of its life — typically a plain tile or concrete interlocking tile roof over forty years old — we will give you an honest assessment of whether targeted repairs or a planned roof replacement makes more financial sense over the next five to ten years.

We cover Newmarket and the surrounding villages, including Mildenhall, Burwell, Soham, and Fordham. Wherever you are in this part of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, we can get out to you promptly.

How Often Should You Have Your Roof Inspected?

A roof inspection every three to five years is a sensible interval for most domestic properties. After any severe weather event — particularly high winds, which regularly affect the exposed Newmarket area — it is worth a check sooner rather than later. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors recommends professional inspections rather than homeowners attempting to assess roof condition themselves, given the fall risk involved.

If you have recently bought a property, an inspection before moving in is sound advice. Survey reports from conveyancers often flag roof condition as a general concern without the detail you actually need to plan maintenance costs.

Ready to find out exactly what condition your roof is in? Contact Newmarket Roofers to book a free local roof inspection — we will give you a straight answer, not a sales pitch.

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