Spring Roof Inspection — What Winter Left Behind
March and April are the ideal months to assess your Godalming roof after winter. The storms have passed, the frost-thaw cycles have done their worst, and any damage from the preceding five months is now visible and accessible. Spring inspection catches winter damage before it compounds through the summer — a cracked tile that admits water during April showers is a simple fix now, but a rotten batten by October.
What Winter Does to Godalming Roofs
The Wey Valley's winter is harder on roofs than most Surrey locations. The valley floor experiences 30-50 overnight frost events per winter — more than the surrounding hilltops because cold air pools in the valley. Each freeze-thaw cycle expands water trapped in tile pores, mortar joints and lead creases. Over 50 cycles, these micro-expansions crack tiles, erode mortar and fatigue lead. The effects are invisible during winter but become apparent in spring when you can see the surface damage in good light.
The Spring Inspection Checklist
Our spring inspection covers specific winter damage markers: frost-cracked tiles (particularly on north-facing slopes that stay cold longest), mortar erosion on ridges and chimney stacks (freeze-thaw attacks the wettest joints), lead flashing lifting at step joints (thermal contraction during cold spells pulls dressed edges away from masonry), gutter joint failure (ice expansion separates joints that were sound in autumn), and moss growth that accelerated during the mild wet spells between frost periods.
Blossom and Seed Debris
Spring brings a second wave of gutter debris that autumn clearing does not address. Cherry and apple blossom arrives in April, lime flower debris in May, and sycamore seeds from May through June. This spring debris is lighter than autumn leaves but stickier — the residue from lime trees in particular creates a coating inside gutter channels that traps subsequent material more effectively. Properties along Busbridge Lane (significant lime tree canopy) benefit from a spring gutter flush after the blossom period.
Pre-Summer Preparation
A spring inspection also prepares your roof for summer. We check that all fixings are secure before the thermal expansion of summer loosens tiles that winter tightened. We verify that lead flashings are properly dressed before the higher summer temperatures cause maximum expansion. And we assess moss coverage — spring is the best time for moss treatment because the biocide has the full growing season to work before the next winter's wet conditions arrive.
Book March or April
Spring inspection slots fill quickly — many customers combine their spring check with the first moss treatment of the year. Book in February or early March to guarantee your preferred date. Our spring inspection costs £120-£250 depending on property size, and the fee is credited in full against any repair work booked. Call 01483 346 855.