Roof maintenance
Roof Maintenance Services in Edinburgh
Most roof damage starts small: a blocked outlet, a slipped slate, a lifted flashing. Caught early, these are quick, cheap fixes. Left for a winter, they become leaks, damp walls and rotten timbers. Our maintenance visits keep roofs, gutters and drainage working and give you a written record of the condition of your building.
- Annual & planned visits
- Photo report every visit
- Homes, landlords & factors
- Fully insured
What a maintenance visit includes
- inspection of slates or tiles, ridges, hips and valleys
- check of lead flashings, chimney flashings and skylights
- clearing gutters, rones, outlets and hopper heads
- checking downpipes are running clear
- removing moss and debris where it is holding water
- refixing slipped slates and small repairs agreed on the day
- checking roofline timbers, fascias and soffits where present
- a photo report of what we found and what we did
What is not included
Larger repairs, such as re-leading a valley or rebuilding a chimney, are quoted separately. We photograph the defect, explain it in the report and give you a price before any further work.
Annual roof maintenance
For most buildings one visit a year is enough, ideally in autumn before the winter rain. An annual roof maintenance visit clears the gutters and outlets that cause most leaks, and catches slipped slates and split lead before water gets in. Buildings near trees, or with valleys and parapet gutters, may need a second visit in spring.
One-off visits
Useful before winter, after a storm, or when buying or selling a property. We inspect, carry out small repairs and send you a report.
Planned maintenance for landlords and property factors
If you look after several buildings, you need one roof maintenance contractor who works to a schedule and reports the same way every time.
For portfolios and factored buildings we set up a planned programme:
- Visit frequency to suit the building, typically once or twice a year, with autumn the priority.
- One schedule covering several properties.
- Defects found are reported with photos and a price, and only carried out once you approve.
- Consistent reports in the same format each visit, so you can track changes over time.
We price planned maintenance per building, based on the roof, access and visit frequency, and quote it in writing before the first visit.
Your maintenance report
Every visit ends with a report containing:
- photos of each roof area, gutters and chimneys
- a condition summary for each element
- work carried out on the day
- defects found, ranked as urgent, short term or planned
- recommended actions with prices
For a more detailed condition survey of the whole building, see roof and building inspections.
How we reach the roof
We use roof hatches and ladders where possible, and rope access for high or awkward roofs, rear elevations and tenements where scaffolding would be expensive. If any defect needs scaffolding to repair properly, we will say so in the report.
Tenements and shared roofs
Shared roofs are often neglected because no single owner takes responsibility. A planned visit, agreed between owners or arranged through your factor, keeps gutters clear and defects recorded. We coordinate access through the common stair and can send the report to every owner.
Written quoteThe work, materials and access method explained
PhotosBefore and after photos of the work
Clear scopeWhat the visit covers, set out on your quote
£5 millionPublic liability and employer’s liability insurance
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How often should my roof be inspected?
At least once a year, ideally in autumn before winter weather, and after any severe storm. Buildings near trees may need gutter clearing twice a year.
My roof looks fine. Do I still need maintenance?
Many problems cannot be seen from the ground, particularly on tall tenements. Blocked valleys, split lead and slipped slates are usually only found close up.
What types of roof do you maintain?
Slate, tile, flat roofs (felt, GRP, single ply) and lead.
Can you maintain a roof without scaffolding?
In most cases, yes, using rope access or roof hatches.
Can I get a report for my insurer or factor?
Yes. Every visit includes a photo report you can pass on.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes. Any repairs are carried out like for like with traditional materials.
Related services
Book a maintenance visit
Tell us about the job and send a photo if you can. We cover Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.