Finding a leak will be the first sign that there is an issue with your roof. Brown stains on your ceiling are the most likely sign of a leak. It will eventually cause a bubble in the plasterboard of the ceiling if ignored. This obvious sign of damage is not often found just beneath the damaged roof tile. The felt or membrane that is installed on the roof structure beneath the battens and tiles will typically have a hole in it.

The most frequent cause of roof failure is a cracked tile that allows infiltrating rain. After passing through the tile, the water eventually drips onto your ceiling. If the floor of the loft space has been boarded, it may take longer to realise there is an issue.

There are further signs of typical roof issues. It is possible to improperly fasten the lead flashing, which is used to hide the seams between vertical walls and roofs. Over time, it might be prone to slippage, at which point water might get in via the cracks.