A Tough Winter for Roofs Across the Region
Every winter takes its toll on roofs, but the 2025/26 season was a particularly demanding one across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the wider East of England. Weeks of driving rain, sharp frosts and some fierce coastal winds meant our team was busier than ever through the colder months, attending callouts from Kings Lynn to Cromer, Hunstanton to Norwich and everywhere in between.
Now that spring has arrived and we can see the full picture, we wanted to share what we actually found on the roofs we inspected and repaired this winter. These are not hypothetical problems from a textbook. These are real issues on real homes, photographed by our team during real jobs. If any of this looks familiar, it might be time to get your own roof checked.
Chimney Repairs: Roughton, Near Norwich
One of our bigger winter jobs took us to Roughton, a village just south of Cromer on the north Norfolk coast. The homeowner had noticed damp patches appearing on an upstairs ceiling and called us in to investigate.
What we found was significant. The roof membrane around the chimney stack had deteriorated badly, with visible holes allowing rainwater straight through into the roof space. Years of freeze-thaw cycles had taken their toll on the mortar and flashing around the chimney base.
This is exactly the kind of damage that builds up gradually over several winters. By the time you notice a damp patch on the ceiling, the problem has usually been developing for some time.
Our Chimney Repairs & Re-pointing service covers everything from re-pointing crumbling mortar to replacing lead flashing and rebuilding chimney stacks.
Tile Damage and Ridge Failures: Holt
In Holt, we attended a roof repair where the homeowner had spotted tiles that looked out of place from the ground. When our team got up on the roof, the extent of the problem became clear.
Several tiles had shifted out of position, likely during high winds, leaving the timber battens and felt underneath completely exposed. Moss had already begun establishing itself in the gaps, trapping moisture against the roof structure. The mortar around the verge and ridge tiles had crumbled away, leaving them loose and vulnerable to the next storm.
This is one of the most common patterns we see after winter. High winds loosen tiles, rain gets in, and frost cracks the mortar that holds everything together.
Our Roof Repairs team can re-bed ridge tiles, replace slipped or broken tiles and re-point mortar to get your roof watertight again.
Hidden Damage: Ingoldisthorpe, Near Kings Lynn
Not all storm damage is visible from the ground. At a property in Ingoldisthorpe, we were called in for what appeared to be a straightforward chimney repair. But when we lifted the surrounding tiles, we discovered something far more serious.
Beneath the tiles, the felt had deteriorated significantly and debris had built up over years. Further along the roof, we found a hole right through the roof deck that had been silently allowing water into the structure.
This is why we always recommend a professional roof inspection rather than just a visual check from the ground. A small investment in an inspection can save thousands in structural repairs down the line.
Gutters and Flat Roofs: The Overlooked Victims
It is not just pitched roofs that suffer in winter. Gutters, flat roofs and the junctions between different roof surfaces all take a hammering during the colder months.
At a property in Barnham Broom, near Norwich, we found a flat roof surface covered in heavy moss growth with gutters that were completely blocked. When gutters cannot do their job, water overflows down your walls. That is a fast track to damp problems, staining and structural damage.
Our Fascias, Soffits & Gutters service includes thorough gutter cleaning and inspection. And if your flat roof needs attention, our Flat Roofing Systems team can upgrade it to a modern EPDM or GRP fibreglass system.
What Should You Do Now?
If your roof made it through winter without any obvious leaks, that is great. But "no leaks" does not necessarily mean "no damage." Many of the issues shown in this article were causing problems long before the homeowner noticed anything from inside the house.
Here is what we would recommend:
- Get a professional inspection. A visual check from the ground will not catch hidden damage beneath tiles or around chimney flashing. Our team can carry out a full roof survey and give you an honest assessment.
- Do not ignore small signs. A few slipped tiles, a damp patch in the loft, a gutter that drips in the wrong place. These are early warnings. Catching them now is far cheaper than dealing with the consequences later.
- Book moss removal before summer. Spring and early summer is the ideal time for roof cleaning and moss removal. Moss holds moisture against your tiles and accelerates deterioration.
- Think ahead to next winter. The best time to repair your roof is when the weather is dry and the days are long. Do not wait until October when every roofer in Norfolk is booked solid.
We Cover the Whole of East Anglia
Based in Dersingham, near Kings Lynn, Prestige Roof covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the wider East of England. Whether you are in Cromer, Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich or anywhere in between, our team can get to you.
As a family-run business led by Luke, a third-generation roofer, we take pride in giving straightforward advice. If your roof just needs a small repair, we will tell you. If it needs more, we will explain why and give you a clear, written quote with no pressure.
Concerned about your roof after this winter? Get a free, no-obligation quote by calling us on 01485 789 017 or request a free quote online.