January — Plan Your Roof Maintenance for the Year Ahead
January is too cold and wet for most external roof work, but it is the perfect month for planning. The worst of winter is still ahead — February and March typically bring the heaviest rainfall and the last hard frosts. But by planning now, you can schedule spring inspections, summer projects and autumn maintenance before the calendar fills up.
The Annual Roof Maintenance Calendar
February-March: Monitor for storm damage after each weather event. Check loft for condensation signs (cold mornings after warm nights are worst). Note any new ceiling stains or drips for spring investigation.
April-May: Book spring inspection. Commission moss treatment (biocide works best when applied before the summer growing season). Clear spring blossom and seed debris from gutters. Address any winter damage found during inspection.
June-August: Schedule major planned work (re-roofing, chimney rebuilds, roofline replacement). Check flat roof surfaces for UV degradation. Verify loft ventilation is adequate (summer is when problems are easiest to diagnose).
September-October: Book pre-winter inspection. Schedule autumn gutter clearing. Complete any repairs identified during the year before winter arrives.
November-December: Gutter clearing after leaf fall. Monitor during storms. Keep emergency number saved: 01483 346 855.
Budgeting for Roof Maintenance
A Godalming homeowner with a property over 20 years old should budget £300-£600 per year for roof maintenance: one inspection (£120-£250), one or two gutter clears (£80-£150 each), and a contingency for minor repairs (£100-£200). This annual investment prevents the £2,000-£8,000 emergency repairs that result from deferred maintenance. For properties over 40 years old — including most of Binscombe, Aaron's Hill and Ockford Ridge — add a sinking fund contribution of £500-£1,000 per year toward eventual re-roofing.
Our Annual Maintenance Packages
We offer structured annual maintenance for Godalming homeowners who want to set and forget. The package includes: spring inspection with written report (April/May), autumn gutter clear with visual check (November), priority booking for any repairs identified, and the inspection fee credited against repair work. Annual package cost: £200-£400 depending on property size. You pay once, we schedule both visits automatically, and your roof gets professional attention twice a year without you needing to remember to call. Ring 01483 346 855 to set up your annual package.
Properties That Need Extra Attention This Year
If your property has any of these characteristics, this January is the time to book a professional assessment rather than waiting for a problem to appear: concrete tiles over 50 years old (Binscombe, Aaron's Hill estates — approaching or past design life), chimney stacks not repointed in the last 20 years (mortar erosion is progressive), flat roof membrane over 15 years old (felt or torch-on has likely reached end of life), softwood fascias not repainted in the last 10 years (rot may be developing behind the paint), or any history of recurring repairs on the same area (indicating a systemic problem that patching will not solve).