Preparing your Wimbledon home's roof for autumn and winter

UK autumn and winter are when most roof problems reveal themselves. A 30-minute check in October saves most emergency callouts in November.

What to do this month

• Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris
• Check visible flashings around chimneys and roof windows
• Look in the loft for any signs of damp or daylight
• Trim back any overhanging tree branches near the roof
• Note any slipped tiles or ridge movement (binoculars help)

What a professional pre-winter check covers

A qualified roofer will inspect:

• Tile and slate condition across the whole roof
• Lead flashings and valley gutters
• Ridge and hip pointing
• Chimney stacks and pots
• Gutter alignment and fall
• Loft ventilation

It's a small cost that prevents the worst call of the year: "we've got water coming in".