What to do, and when

Keep the penetrations honest

Pipe boots crack, sealant shrinks, and satellite mounts get screwed straight through the covering. Every penetration is a hole somebody decided to make watertight, and each is worth a look.

Clear the gutters before the wet season

Gutters full of grit are not just a drainage problem — the grit is your roof, and its presence tells you something about how far along the covering is.

Twice a year, from the ground

Walk the perimeter with binoculars if you have them. You are looking for missing or lifted material, dark patches, sagging lines, and anything growing where it should not be. Ten minutes, twice a year.

Look in the attic after heavy weather

The attic shows a leak long before the ceiling does. After any serious storm, take a torch up and look at the underside of the deck around penetrations and valleys.

Deal with growth properly

Moss and algae hold water against the surface. Treat and brush gently, or fit zinc or copper strip near the ridge. Never pressure wash an asphalt roof — it strips the granules and takes years off it in an afternoon.

Cut back anything touching the roof

Branches abrade the surface in wind and drop debris that holds moisture. Keep growth well clear of the covering, and clear of the gutters while you are at it.

In short

Put two dates in the calendar, one either side of November through March. That is the whole programme.