Summer Roof Maintenance: Your Essential Guide for London Properties

Let’s be honest – nobody thinks about their roof until something goes wrong. But if you’re clever about it, summer is actually the best time to give your roof a proper once-over. The weather’s decent, you can actually see what you’re doing, and crucially, you’re not trying to fix leaks whilst getting soaked.

I’ve been working on roofs across London for years, and trust me, the properties that get regular summer check-ups are the ones that don’t ring us in a panic when the first autumn storms hit. It’s not rocket science – just common sense maintenance that saves you a fortune down the line.

Why Summer Makes Sense for Roof Care

Look, London weather isn’t exactly kind to roofs. We get battered by rain all winter, then everyone acts surprised when tiles start slipping come spring. But here’s the thing – if you sort out the small stuff in summer, you won’t be dealing with buckets in the bedroom when the storms hit.

Summer roof maintenance just makes practical sense. You’re not scrambling up there in dodgy weather, the tiles aren’t slippery, and you can actually see what’s going on. Plus, if you do need repairs, materials dry properly instead of fighting against constant damp.

The other bonus? Everyone else waits until there’s a crisis. Book work in summer and you’ll get better availability and honest pricing, not emergency rates when half of London is calling with leaks.

What to Check This Summer

Start with the Obvious Stuff

Get yourself a decent pair of binoculars and have a proper look from ground level. You’d be amazed what you can spot without setting foot on a ladder.

Missing tiles – Pretty obvious this one, but you’d be surprised how many people ignore a missing tile until the next storm shifts three more. One missing tile can let water into your loft space, and from there it’s just a matter of time.

Gutters that are clearly knackered – If your gutters are sagging or you can see daylight between joints, that’s a summer job right there. Come autumn, all those falling leaves will find every weakness.

Chimney problems – Most London houses have at least one chimney, many have several. Check for loose mortar, wonky chimney pots, or plants growing out of them. Yes, that happens more than you’d think.

Flashing around chimneys and windows – This is where water gets in if it’s going to get in anywhere. Look for gaps, cracks, or sections that have obviously moved.

How We Use Drones (And Why It’s Not Just Showing Off)

Right, so everyone’s got drones now, but there’s actually a proper reason we use them for roof inspections. When you’re looking at a Victorian terrace with multiple levels, dormer windows, and a chimney arrangement that would puzzle an architect, getting the full picture safely is pretty tricky.

The drone gives us high-quality photos of every section without anyone having to risk their neck scrambling about on questionable tiles. For the older properties especially, this matters – you can plan exactly what needs doing before anyone sets foot up there.

It’s particularly good for flat roof sections. You know those single-storey extensions everyone’s got? The ones where water sits in puddles because the drainage isn’t quite right? Walking about on them can actually cause damage, but the drone shows exactly where the problems are.

We’re not trying to be fancy with technology – it just makes sense for getting the job done properly and safely.

Sorting Out Your Gutters Properly

This is the big one for summer roof maintenance. Get your gutters right now, and you’ll save yourself a world of grief when autumn arrives with its endless supply of falling leaves.

Clear everything out – Not just the obvious stuff like leaves and twigs, but all the silt and moss that builds up over time. London’s tree-lined streets look lovely, but they’re constantly dropping debris onto your roof.

Check the downpipes – Run some water through the system and see where it goes. Many London houses have downpipes that take interesting routes through the building, and blockages aren’t always obvious from the outside.

Make sure everything’s actually attached – Gutters are heavier than people think, especially when they’re full of water and debris. Check that all the brackets are secure and haven’t pulled away from the fascia boards.

Look for sagging sections – Gutters need to slope slightly towards the downpipes. If sections are sagging, water sits there attracting mosquitoes in summer and potentially freezing and cracking the gutter in winter.

Flat Roofs Need Extra Attention

If you’ve got flat roof sections – and most London properties do, whether it’s an old scullery roof or a modern extension – summer maintenance is absolutely crucial.

Check the drainage first – Flat roofs live or die by their drainage. If water can’t get away properly, you’ll have problems. Look for blocked outlets, broken hoppers, or areas where water is obviously sitting.

Look at the roof covering – Whether it’s modern rubber membrane or old-school felt, check for obvious damage like cracks, blisters, or edges that are lifting. The summer sun can be quite harsh on some materials.

Pay attention to where the roof meets walls – These junction points are where problems often start. Different materials expand at different rates, and over time gaps can appear.

Don’t assume you can walk on it – Just because it’s flat doesn’t mean it’s designed for foot traffic. Some roof coverings are surprisingly delicate, and it’s easy to cause damage by walking where you shouldn’t.

When to Call Someone Who Knows What They’re Doing

Look, there’s plenty you can check yourself, but there’s also plenty that you really shouldn’t attempt. Here’s when to pick up the phone:

Anything involving height – If it means getting above single-storey level, leave it to people with proper insurance and equipment. It’s just not worth the risk.

Electrical stuff – Aerials, solar panels, any cables running across the roof. Unless you’re qualified, don’t mess about with it.

Structural concerns – If your roof line isn’t straight, if there are lots of missing tiles, or if things just look wrong, get a professional opinion. Small problems can become big problems very quickly.

Period properties – If your house is listed or in a conservation area, you need someone who understands the specific requirements. Using the wrong materials or methods can cause more problems than you solve.

Getting Ready for the Rough Weather

Summer roof maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken now – it’s about preparing for when the weather turns nasty again.

Sort out emergency contacts – When a storm hits and your roof starts leaking, you don’t want to be Googling roofers at midnight. Get contact details sorted now whilst you’re thinking clearly.

Know your roof – Take some photos whilst everything’s dry and visible. If you need to make an insurance claim later, you’ll have baseline evidence of what your roof looked like before the damage.

Think about access – Note any potential problems for emergency access. Has a neighbor’s tree grown? Is there new fencing? When it’s pouring with rain and you need urgent repairs, these things matter.

Consider your materials – If you’ve got an unusual roof tile or specific lead work, identifying replacement materials now saves time later. Some period roof materials take time to source.

Why We Do Things Differently

We’ve been working on London roofs for years, and we’ve learned that every property is different. A Victorian terrace needs a different approach from a 1930s semi, and a listed Georgian townhouse requires specialist knowledge that you just can’t wing.

Our summer maintenance approach combines old-school roofing knowledge with modern assessment methods. The drone surveys give us detailed information without unnecessary risk, which is particularly important for older properties where every intervention needs to be carefully considered.

We work with conservation officers regularly, so we understand what’s required for listed buildings and conservation areas. More importantly, we focus on preventing problems rather than just fixing them when they become emergencies.

Summer maintenance typically costs a fraction of winter emergency repairs. More than that, it means you’re in control of the situation rather than being forced into hasty decisions when water is coming through your ceiling.

Your Summer Action Plan

July – Get a proper assessment done whilst the weather’s stable and contractors aren’t rushed off their feet with emergency calls.

August – Sort out any repairs whilst materials can cure properly in dry conditions. Clear those gutters before the leaves start falling.

September – Final check and preparation for autumn. Make sure you’ve got emergency contact details and you know exactly what state your roof is in.

The bottom line is this: a bit of attention now saves a lot of grief later. Your roof protects everything else in your house – it makes sense to keep it in good nick.

If you need professional roof maintenance in London, especially for period properties that need specialist knowledge, send us a message. We combine traditional expertise with modern assessment methods to keep your roof in proper order.