Water staining and active or historic leaks
MajorWhat you may see: Dark stains on rafters, sarking, or ceiling backs; damp insulation.
Risk: Ongoing water damage, mould, and ceiling failure.
Building guide
Roof space (attic) inspection guide
The roof void reveals leaks, insulation issues, framing condition, and pest activity that ceilings can hide for years.
Why it matters
Water entry, failed sarking, and timber damage often show first in the roof space. A careful inspection here protects you from surprises after the first heavy rain.
Common defects
Rated the way we discuss findings in reports — Major, Minor, Safety, or Further investigation.
Damaged, missing, or poorly detailed sarking
MajorWhat you may see: Torn membranes, gaps at ridges or penetrations.
Risk: Wind-driven rain and condensation issues.
Decayed or damaged roof framing members
MajorWhat you may see: Soft timber, splits, insect workings, or previous poor repairs.
Risk: Reduced structural reliability of the roof.
Inadequate or disturbed insulation
MinorWhat you may see: Thin, missing, or compressed batts; gaps at edges.
Risk: Higher energy costs and uneven comfort.
Visible electrical or safety concerns in the void
SafetyWhat you may see: Exposed junctions, unsafe boarding, restricted safe access.
Risk: Fire or fall hazard — often needs specialist follow-up.
Evidence of pests in roof framing or debris
Further investigationWhat you may see: Mud tubes, frass, nesting material, or damaged timber.
Risk: May indicate timber pest activity requiring pest inspection focus.
Quality checklist
What “good” tends to look like for this area.
- Dry framing and ceiling backs with no active leak signs
- Intact sarking or appropriate underlay for the roof type
- Reasonable insulation coverage
- Safe access path where a void exists
- No obvious pest harbour or active workings
How Sitescop inspects
- Access via manhole where present and safe
- Survey for staining, moisture, framing condition, and penetrations
- Review insulation and ventilation clues
- Photograph defects and typical views for the report
- Recommend roof exterior correlation when leaks are suspected
Technology & knowledge
- Moisture clues correlated with thermal imaging on combined assessments where used
- Detailed photography in low light
- Clear reporting of access limits
Photo examples
Open educational imagery matching this area of the building. We will swap these for anonymised on-site defect photos as you supply them — never publishing client-identifying details.
Rafters and tile underside — insulation, wiring, and missing sarking are typical checks
Roof void with batt insulation and stored rolls — coverage and disturbance matter
Confined timber roof space — framing condition and access limits are noted in reports
FAQ
Every house has a roof space?
No. Some roofs are flat or have minimal voids. We inspect what is readily accessible and state limitations.