· Absolute Roofing 247
The safest place to check your roof is not on top of it, but underneath it. If your home has a loft, a quick look inside after heavy rain or strong wind can help you spot roof problems early, without climbing a ladder onto the roof. Here is what homeowners across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire can look out for, and when to call a roofer.
Safety first
Only go into the loft if it is safe to do so. Use a secure loft ladder, take a good torch, and step only on boarded areas or joists, never on the plasterboard between them, which will not take your weight. Watch your head on nails and timbers, and avoid touching any wiring. If your loft is not boarded or you are not sure, leave it to a professional. And never go up on the roof itself.
Look for daylight
Turn off the torch for a moment and look up. Small spots of daylight coming through the roof can mean slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles. Where there is light, rain can often get in too.
Check for damp and stains
Look at the underside of the roof and the timbers for dark stains, damp patches or water marks. Pay attention to areas around the chimney, where the roof meets a wall, and along the ridge, as these are common places for lead flashing or ridge tile problems. Remember that water can run along timbers before dripping, so the mark you see may not be directly under the fault.
Feel the insulation
Wet or compressed patches in loft insulation are a sign that water has been getting in. Damp insulation also stops working as well as it should.
Notice smells and sounds
A musty, damp smell in the loft or upstairs rooms can point to a slow leak. On a windy day, rattling or flapping noises may mean something on the roof has worked loose.
Do not forget flat roofs
If you have a flat roof on an extension, garage or dormer, check the ceiling underneath for stains, and look from an upstairs window for standing water, splits or lifted edges.
What to do if you find a problem
Take photos, note where and when you saw the water, and put a bucket under any drip. Move belongings away from the wet area. Then call a roofer. We carry out roof leak detection, roof repairs, flat roofs, storm damage repairs and new slate and tiled roofs, and we can use a drone roof survey to see hard-to-reach areas from the outside.
Help is there 24/7
We offer 24/7 emergency roofing across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Every quote is free, and there is no payment until the job is complete. Absolute Roofing 247 has 4.9 stars from 369 Google reviews (as at 29 October 2026).
Call free on 0800 046 1159 or request a free roofing quote.
Read more about keeping your roof safe, roof leak detection and the areas we cover.
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