· Absolute Roofing 247
Winter weather across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire often brings strong winds and heavy rain. Your roof takes the brunt of it. A little preparation before the worst of the season can reduce the chance of slipped tiles, lifted edges and leaks. Here is what you can check safely from the ground, what to leave to a roofer, and when to call for help.
Why winter winds matter
Wind lifts and rattles anything that is already a little loose. Ridge tiles, hip tiles, edge tiles and flat roof trims are often the first to move. Once a gap opens, rain follows. Exposed homes across Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and nearby towns feel this most.
Safe checks before a stormy spell
Stay off ladders and off the roof. From the garden, the street or an upstairs window, look for:
- tiles or slates that look out of line, cracked or missing
- ridge tiles that sit unevenly along the top of the roof
- lead flashing that has lifted around a chimney or wall
- gutters that sag, overflow or are full of leaves and moss
- flat roof edges that look loose, or water that sits in puddles long after rain
Take photos of anything that looks wrong. That helps when you speak to a roofer.
Keep rainwater moving away
Gutters and downpipes have to carry water clear of the house. Blocked gutters send water over the edge, down walls and sometimes back under the roof. Clear leaves safely from the ground if you can. If not, ask for help rather than climbing. Valleys where two roof slopes meet also collect debris and are worth having checked if they often block.
Flat roofs in winter
Extensions, garages, dormers and bungalows with flat roofs can struggle in wet, windy weather. Watch for standing water, splits, bubbles and lifted edge trims. Catching these before a storm often means a repair instead of a larger job later.
If a storm is on the way
If you already know something is loose, get it looked at before the weather hits if you can. Otherwise, clear outdoor items that could blow about, keep people away from walls where debris might fall, and check the roof from the ground once the wind has dropped. If water starts coming in, move belongings away from the drip, catch it with a bucket, and call for emergency help. Do not go onto the roof yourself.
How Absolute Roofing 247 can help
We carry out roof repairs, storm damage repairs, leak detection, flat roofs, new slate and tiled roofs, drone roof surveys, and gutters and fascias across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. We offer 24/7 emergency roofing when water is getting in. A drone survey can show ridges and hard-to-reach edges without anyone climbing on the roof.
Free quotes
Every quote is free. Call free on 0800 046 1159 or request a free roofing quote. Absolute Roofing 247 has 4.9 stars from 369 Google reviews (as at 29 October 2026).
See our roofing services, photos of our work and the areas we cover.
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