If something goes wrong with your roof, repairs can be expensive and stressful.

To help avoid that, it’s best to carry out some basic roof maintenance throughout the year. To do a little upkeep. To check for signs of roof damage. And to make sure small roof repairs don’t turn into big problems that cost a lot of money to put right.

Buildings Insurance can help with the cost of roof repairs, but only if you keep your roof well-maintained, along with the rest of your property.

Staying on top of minor repairs can help to prevent major issues. And it means you’ll be covered when you really need it.

If you have Tesco Home Insurance, we’re here to help when things go wrong. But it’s important to check what’s covered by your policy.

Home insurance usually covers roof damage caused by storms and other unexpected events. For example, fallen trees or heavy rain.

Roof damage caused by wear and tear or a lack of maintenance won’t be covered by your policy.

Roof maintenance won’t be covered by your policy either. That means you can’t claim for things like:

To find out more about things that aren’t covered by your Home Insurance policy, see our guide: What’s not covered by your home insurance?

To find out exactly what you’re covered for, it’s always best to check your policy documents.

Here are a few simple things you can do to help prevent damage to your roof.

Carrying out these checks regularly could save you money in the long run.

It's not the most glamorous task, but clearing out your gutters is one of the simplest ways to protect your roof.

When leaves, moss and other debris build up, it can block your gutters. That can cause an overflow of water onto your roof, which could cause damage over time.

If you can’t do it yourself, you might be able to get a local window cleaner or odd-job man to clear your gutters for you.

If you’ve got tall or overhanging trees near your home, it’s a good idea to prune them regularly.

This helps to reduce the amount of debris landing on your roof. And it also lowers the risk of branches causing damage to your house during a storm.

For more flood and storm advice, see our guide: How to prepare your home for a flood.

Keep an eye out for cracked, loose or missing tiles. And fix them quickly before they become a bigger problem.

Taking action early can help prevent leaks and avoid more costly repairs in the future.

If you're getting the Christmas decorations down from the loft, check your insulation while you're up there. Damp or condensation during the colder months can be a sign of a leak or poor ventilation.

Loft insulation should be completely dry. If you see any damp patches, look into it further to prevent potential damage or heat loss.

You should always keep an eye on things yourself. But sometimes it might be better to get an expert to check the condition of your roof.

They’ll be able to spot things you won’t. And it’ll give you extra peace of mind to know it’s been properly looked over.

Here’s how to check for the most obvious signs of roof damage. If you’re in any doubt about something, it’s always best to get it checked out.

This could be a sign of a leak. Even small stains might point to a bigger issue above, so it’s a good idea to check it out.

For more advice on preventing and dealing with leaks, see our guide: Escape of water: how to protect your home from leaks.

Any visible damage to your roof, even minor, can lead to serious problems if you don’t do anything about it. So it's best to fix these issues as soon as they crop up.

If you spot mould or mildew around the edges of your roofline, it could mean moisture is getting in. Left too long, it can lead to rot - and that’s a costly repair.

Rust spots on your gutters are often where leaks begin. Catching them early can save you from water damage later.

If your heating costs are rising, your roof insulation might not be doing its job properly. Poor insulation means more heat escaping, so it can cost you more money to keep warm.

For more tips on energy efficiency, see our guide: How to make your home more energy efficient.

If you already have Tesco Home Insurance, find out how to manage your policy, check your documents or make a claim.

If you need to talk to us about your cover, our friendly UK-based customer service team will be happy to help.

0345 246 2904*.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm.

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Tesco Home Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.

You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.