Meet the Mossy One

How small problems grow

It starts small: a bit of moss in a gutter, a few leaves, an old nest. Left alone, rainwater stops draining and finds its way into walls and ceilings.

Gutters and damp

Penetrating damp is caused by water getting through walls. It often follows problems such as faulty guttering or roofing, and can be caused by water leaking from gutters and downpipes. Signs include damp patches, mould and blistered plaster.

Moss and leaves in a gutter hold water and slow the flow. Clearing them is a small job.

Source: Which?, “How to get rid of damp”; Checkatrade damp proofing cost guide (accessed 26 October 2026).

Tiles and ceilings

A slipped or broken tile can let water in. Caught early, it’s a small repair. Left, water can reach the ceiling below, and costs rise if roof timbers get damp.

Source: Checkatrade leaking roof repair guide, accessed 26 October 2026.

Side by side: typical costs

Typical costs, not quotes. Skipping maintenance doesn’t always lead to the bigger bill, but it can.

Gutters vs a damp wall and a damaged ceiling

Professional gutter clean (medium semi-detached): £100–£150.

If water gets into the wall: damp proofing an external wall typically costs £1,000–£3,000 (average £2,000). Repairing a ceiling damaged by a leak (new plasterboard, plus an electrician to move a light) typically costs £1,400–£1,700.

Typical costs, source: Checkatrade gutter cleaning, damp proofing an external wall and ceiling repair cost guides (accessed 26 October 2026).

A few slipped tiles vs a leak call-out and a new ceiling

Replacing up to five slipped tiles with easy access: around £170.

If water gets in first: an emergency roofer call-out is typically around £350, and replacing a ceiling £400–£1,000, before redecorating.

Typical costs, source: Checkatrade roof tile replacement, leaking roof repair and ceiling repair (accessed 26 October 2026).

Small roof repairs vs a new roof

Repairing a section of concrete tiles typically costs £90–£120 per m², and re-fixing a dry ridge £50–£70 per metre.

A full roof replacement averages around £8,000 (most spend £4,000–£19,000), and around £12,000 for a 3-bed semi.

Roofs do wear out eventually. Small, regular repairs help a roof last and keep you planning, not reacting.

Typical costs, source: Checkatrade roof repair and roof replacement (accessed 26 October 2026).

Storm clouds breaking over rows of rooftops

Upkeep is down to you

Industry guidance is clear that wear and tear isn’t usually paid for, and nor is “damage due to lack of maintenance e.g. roof tiles not being replaced and the roof leaks when there is a storm” (ABI).

The ABI’s own storm advice includes “fixing loose or damaged roof tiles, sealing windows, and securing flashing and pointing. Clearing gutters and drains is also important.” Which? advises having your roof inspected every few years and keeping proof that this has been done.

For context, the ABI reports that the average payout for storm damage to homes in 2025 was £2,450.

Source: ABI guidance and storms guidance (accessed 26 October 2026); ABI press release, 17 February 2026; Which? home guidance (accessed 26 October 2026).

Upkeep is where Ridgewatch helps. Ridgewatch does the routine upkeep for you and gives you dated records of it: the yearly check, the gutter clean and the small repairs, done on a regular cycle by a roofing team.

Renting it out?

Ridgewatch for a semi-detached rental: £39.99 a month (£479.88 a year), including the annual gutter clean, the yearly roof condition report and certificate, a scheduled maintenance visit and an emergency call-out each year, with a £150 repair allowance a year on the emergency call-out.

A gap between tenants: the average void period in England was 24 days, costing landlords an average of £1,085 in lost rent.

A dry, well-kept home is one less thing standing between you and the next tenancy.

Typical costs, source: Ridgewatch landlord pricing (£39.99 × 12); Benhams void-period research (January 2025 data, agent research, not official statistics).

Get a roof report See landlord prices

Roofer on a ladder refitting the gutter of a brick house

What Ridgewatch does every year

Annual gutter clean
Annual roof condition report and certificate (an MOT-style check)
One scheduled visit and one urgent visit each membership year, with no call-out fee
A £150 repair allowance each membership year on your emergency call-out: repairs up to £150 are free, and £150 comes off bigger jobs
A roofing team from our trade partner, RooFix Solutions Ltd, booked for members, so you’re not left chasing trades
Priority urgent repairs (water coming in and you need someone there), booked in a members-only diary open every day, 8am to 6pm: target within 48 hours for homeowners, 24 hours for landlords (targets, not guarantees; urgent repairs start 30 days after you join)
Non-urgent visits within one week
Using your call-outs or repair allowance doesn’t change your price. Any general price change comes with 30 days’ notice, and you can leave free

See pricing Join Ridgewatch

Sources

All costs are typical published figures, not quotes. They vary by home, access and materials. Figures last checked: 26 October 2026.

Small roof jobs now. Fewer big bills later.