Most roof problems start small and grow expensive. A regular DIY inspection can catch issues early, saving you thousands in repairs. Here’s our comprehensive 15-point checklist that any Irish homeowner can use—safely from the ground.
⚠️ Safety First: Ground-Level Inspection Only
NEVER climb on your roof unless you’re a trained professional with proper safety equipment. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries and deaths every year.
This guide is for GROUND-LEVEL inspection only using:
- Binoculars
- Your eyes from ground level
- A ladder placed SAFELY against walls (not the roof) to view gutters
For a full roof inspection, book a professional assessment →
🔍 The 15-Point DIY Roof Inspection Checklist
Print this checklist or save it on your phone. Inspect quarterly (especially after storms).
EXTERIOR INSPECTION
✓ 1. Missing or Damaged Tiles/Slates
What to look for:
- Gaps in tile rows
- Cracked or broken tiles
- Slipped tiles sitting at wrong angles
- Tiles on the ground after storms
Severity: 🔴 High - Immediate attention needed
✓ 2. Ridge Tiles Condition
What to look for:
- Gaps between ridge tiles and roof
- Cracked or missing mortar (the grey cement)
- Leaning or loose ridge tiles
- Ridge tiles completely missing
Severity: 🔴 High - Water entry point
✓ 3. Chimney Stack & Flashing
What to look for:
- Crumbling or missing mortar between bricks
- Metal flashing lifted or separated
- Leaning chimney stack
- Missing chimney cowl/pot
- Cracks in render/plaster
Severity: 🔴 High - See our chimney repair guide
✓ 4. Moss, Lichen & Algae Growth
What to look for:
- Green/black growth on north-facing slopes
- Thick moss between tiles
- Lichen (grey-green patches)
- Algae streaks
Severity: 🟡 Medium - Can trap moisture and damage tiles over time
✓ 5. Sagging Roof Line
What to look for:
- Roof line should be straight when viewed from street
- Any dips, sags, or waves indicate structural issues
- Compare left and right sides
Severity: 🔴 Critical - Call a professional immediately
✓ 6. Valley Condition
What to look for:
- Valleys are the V-shaped channels where roof slopes meet
- Check for debris accumulation
- Look for visible damage to metal/lead lining
- Signs of rust or deterioration
Severity: 🔴 High - Major leak risk
✓ 7. Fascia & Soffit Boards
What to look for:
- Peeling or flaking paint
- Rotting or soft wood
- Gaps between boards
- Holes or damage from birds/pests
- Water staining
Severity: 🟡 Medium - Our fascia & soffit services
✓ 8. Gutters & Downpipes
What to look for:
- Sagging gutters
- Visible leaks at joints
- Plants growing in gutters
- Overflowing during rain
- Downpipes disconnected or damaged
Severity: 🟡 Medium - Gutter repair services
INTERIOR INSPECTION (Attic/Loft)
Safety tip: Use a torch and step only on joists, never between them.
✓ 9. Daylight Visible Through Roof
What to look for:
- Turn off lights and look for daylight coming through
- Check around chimney, vents, and edges
- Any daylight = water entry point
Severity: 🔴 High - Immediate repair needed
✓ 10. Water Stains on Rafters/Felt
What to look for:
- Dark staining on timber
- Tide marks showing water flow
- Stained underlay/felt
- Active drips after rain
Severity: 🔴 High - Leak present
✓ 11. Mould or Mildew
What to look for:
- Black spots on timber
- Musty smell
- White/grey fuzzy growth
- Usually indicates poor ventilation or leaks
Severity: 🟡 Medium-High - Investigate cause
✓ 12. Insulation Condition
What to look for:
- Missing or compressed insulation
- Wet or damp insulation
- Gaps in coverage
- Disturbed by pests
Severity: 🟡 Medium - SEAI grants available
✓ 13. Ventilation
What to look for:
- Soffit vents clear and unblocked
- Ridge vents (if installed) visible
- Condensation on surfaces (indicates poor ventilation)
- Air should flow from soffit to ridge
Severity: 🟡 Medium - Poor ventilation causes rot
CEILING/INTERIOR INSPECTION
✓ 14. Ceiling Stains
What to look for:
- Brown or yellow rings (water stains)
- Bubbling or peeling paint
- Sagging ceiling areas
- Stains that grow after rain
Severity: 🔴 High - Active leak
✓ 15. Wall Damp Near Roof Line
What to look for:
- Damp patches on walls below roof
- Peeling wallpaper at top of walls
- Mould growth near ceiling line
- Cold spots on walls
Severity: 🔴 High - Water ingress
📋 Downloadable Inspection Record
Use this format to track your inspections:
DATE: _______________
WEATHER: _______________
□ 1. Tiles/Slates: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 2. Ridge Tiles: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 3. Chimney/Flashing: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 4. Moss/Algae: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 5. Roof Line: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 6. Valleys: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 7. Fascia/Soffit: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 8. Gutters: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 9. Attic Daylight: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 10. Water Stains: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 11. Mould: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 12. Insulation: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 13. Ventilation: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 14. Ceiling: OK / Issue: _______________
□ 15. Wall Damp: OK / Issue: _______________
ACTION NEEDED: □ None □ Monitor □ Call Roofer
🗓️ When to Inspect Your Roof
| Season | Why | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March-April) | Post-winter damage | Storm damage, moss growth |
| Summer (June-July) | Best weather for repairs | Full inspection |
| Autumn (October) | Pre-winter prep | Gutters, loose tiles |
| After Storms | Immediate damage check | Missing tiles, flashing |
🚨 Red Flags: Call a Professional Immediately
These issues require immediate professional attention:
- Active water leaking into your home
- Sagging or dipping roof line
- Large sections of missing tiles
- Chimney leaning or cracked
- Structural damage visible
- After severe storm damage
Emergency roof repair service →
Professional Roof Inspection: What’s Included
A professional inspection (€100-€200) includes:
- ✓ Full roof walk (safely assessing every area)
- ✓ Chimney inspection
- ✓ Internal roof space assessment
- ✓ Thermal imaging (detecting hidden leaks)
- ✓ Detailed written report
- ✓ Repair recommendations with quotes
- ✓ Photo documentation
Worth it for: Annual checkups, before buying a home, after storms.
Book a professional inspection →
💡 Maintenance Tips Between Inspections
- Clear gutters twice yearly (spring and autumn)
- Trim overhanging branches that drop debris
- Remove moss before it lifts tiles (use moss killer spray)
- Check after every storm for obvious damage
- Keep attic ventilation clear of stored items
📞 Found Something? Get a Free Quote
Spotted an issue during your inspection? Don’t wait for it to get worse.
- ✓ Free assessment
- ✓ No-obligation quote
- ✓ Same-week appointments available
- ✓ All Dublin areas covered
📞 Call: +353 89 981 9675
Related Resources
- Roof Maintenance Checklist Ireland - Full maintenance guide
- 5 Signs Your Roof Needs Attention - Warning signs explained
- Roof Repair Costs Dublin - What repairs cost
- Find Roofer Near Me → - Local Dublin roofers
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