Homeowners are being urged to carry out a simple, 60-second roof check that roofing experts say could reveal early structural problems long before leaks or visible damage appear.

The check focuses on something most people never consider, whether the roof’s ridge line is still sitting straight.

According to roofing and insulation expert Mike Storey, from UKFR Roofing & Insulation, subtle changes to the ridge line (the horizontal line running along the top of the roof) are one of the earliest indicators that a roof may be under stress.

“Most homeowners look for missing tiles or obvious damage, but one of the first things we check as professionals is whether the ridge line is still level,” Mike explains. “A slight wave, dip or uneven section can indicate movement beneath the surface, often caused by moisture ingress, ageing fixings or repeated exposure to wind.”

The check is simple and requires no specialist equipment. Homeowners are being encouraged to step back across the street or into their garden and look along the roof from end to end, using the skyline or a neighbouring roof as a reference point. Any noticeable sag, ripple, or unevenness, even if tiles appear intact, can be a sign that the roof structure or ridge fixings are beginning to fail.

Mike says this issue is particularly common on older properties or roofs that have been through repeated cycles of heavy rain followed by dry weather. “Over time, moisture can weaken the mortar or fixings along the ridge. You won’t always see cracks up close, but the roof line will start to tell the story.”

What makes this check especially valuable, he says, is that it can highlight problems months or even years before internal damage appears. “By the time a ceiling stain shows up, the underlying structure has usually been affected. Spotting ridge movement early can prevent far more extensive repairs later on.”

Mike stresses that homeowners should never attempt to access the roof themselves. “This is purely an observation check that shouldn’t take any longer than a minute,” he says. “If the ridge line doesn’t look right, it’s worth getting professional advice. Early intervention can mean the difference between a minor fix and a full section replacement, which usually costs between £3,000 and £8,000.”

For more information, visit UK Flat Roofing.