Does Your Flat Roof Need Repairs Before The Winter?
After a hot and dry summer, autumn has brought a distinct change in the weather. Of course, everyone knew the days would get shorter and colder and the leaves would turn brown, but conditions have been distinctly wet and often stormy, especially in the north. That may be good news for ensuring the reservoirs fill up, but not for any homes that are ill-prepared for the change in the weather. Some will already have suffered from Storm Amy, the first of the 2025-26 storm season, early last month, although the second, Benjamin, had far more impact in the south. While the dangers for sloping roofs involve issues such as loose tiles that can be blown down, posing a risk to persons and property below and creating the danger of water leaks unless the problem is swiftly fixed, the nature of flat roof problems is somewhat different. Nonetheless, there are many reasons to call out the flat roof repair experts. The Ponding Problem On the one hand, there may be no risk of things falling off it and landing on your head, but the flat roof can hold things in place that you don’t want to be there, such as puddles of water. This is known as ponding and is caused by the surface having concave areas or because there are issues with drainage. Unless your flat roof is designed to hold and use water (such as a green roof with lots of foliage), the effects of ponding can be very damaging. In most cases, leaks are not the problem, as the materials used to cover roofs are waterproof. If there is any damage, however, this does need to be fixed to stop leaks. This can arise through simple wear and tear and the passage of time. Where ponding poses the biggest threat is in winter when the water freezes. As it does so, it expands and this places stress on the roof membrane. Moreover, if there is any standing water on your flat roof adjacent to cracks, such as in the brickwork, this can seep in and widen the cracks through the process of freeze-thaw. The effects of this may not be immediately apparent, but over time, they can weaken structures and the key is that by investing in repairs now, you can avoid greater damage and a bigger bill later. Beware Flashing Failures Ponding is far from the only risk you may face. Many flat roofs have flashing in place to help prevent water from getting into areas like skylights and vents. However, if this is damaged in any way, either by freeze-thaw, rust or general wear and tear, this can be a point of vulnerability through which leaks can come. It makes a lot of sense to get your roof inspected if you spot any signs of leakage, but it can also be wise to get it checked before the winter anyway to ensure it is all in good shape for the season ahead. If all is well, you can be confident your flat roof will see you through to spring without any problems. However, if there is any damage, getting it fixed now can ensure you avoid more damage – and a bigger repair bill – when the various named storms and Jack Frost have done their worst.
Top Tips For Preventing Snow And Ice Damage On Your Flat Roof
The month of November is a critical period for repairs, as with temperatures dropping dramatically ahead of winter, it can be a period where weaknesses in your roof can be exposed. The best way to prevent any problems is to get in touch with local flat roofing specialists to inspect your roof, schedule repairs quickly and ensure that your home is as protected as possible before winter starts. With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks to stop snow and ice from causing damage to your roof that lingers far beyond February. Clear The Roof And The Gutters Most houses need to clear the gutters and drains of the leaves that have fallen throughout September and October, but homeowners with flat roofs need to be particularly mindful of the potential damage that decaying leaves can cause. Wet leaves can freeze and collect on a roof, which can add extra weight that can accumulate over time, causing dips and waves on the roofline if enough builds up. These dips can also create pools of standing water that can exacerbate structural issues. Clogged gutters can cause runoff, ice dams and the build-up of mould, all of which are terrible news for your roof. Thankfully, an afternoon of clearing leaves will make a world of difference and help prevent many immediate issues. Book An Inspection If there are already cracks or tears in your rooflining, the freeze-thaw cycle could cause them to expand, creating huge issues that can devastate your home if left long enough. Take a look at your roof for any obvious issues, but also consider calling in a specialist to see if there are any issues you may have missed. If any small repairs need fixing, get that done before winter starts to avoid the issue getting far worse and becoming far more difficult to safely fix. Do Not Use Salt The temptation is to lay salt on the roof, the same way you would a road, but this can be extremely damaging to many of the materials that make up your roof and lead to much costlier repairs. Instead, consider roof heating systems that melt snow before it can successfully freeze on the surface itself. Alternatively, melt pellets or pucks suitable for your roof membrane can also be used to safely melt ice and reduce the need for more dangerous sweeping and cleaning. Clear Ice Dams As Soon As Possible For the most part, if the gutters are clear, the chances of ice dams forming will be significantly reduced, but during particularly harsh winter nights, it is possible that a mix of rain and snow could cause an ice dam to develop regardless. In terms of de-icing measures, these should be prioritised, because they have the greatest risk of causing serious damage not only to your roof and the gutters but to the soil and foundations around your house if water is allowed to flow over the gutters rather than through them. Similarly, if there is a lot of snow on your roof, use a plastic shovel or snow rake to clear some of it off to avoid placing structural stress on your roof.
3 Common Roof Problems To Look Out For
When it comes to the roof above your head, it’s often a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’… mainly because it’s so high up that it’s easy to forget about it – until a problem crops up, of course! The good news is that there are lots of warning signs you can keep an eye out for that will indicate you have a burgeoning issue with the roof, without you having to get on a ladder to check. Here are just three of the biggest red flags to bear in mind, all a strong indication that roof repairs will likely be necessary in the relatively near future. 1. Water damage on walls & ceilings Monitor your ceilings and walls if you’re worried about your roof, as you’ll start to see damp patches and dirty brown stains appearing through the paintwork… suggestive of a leak somewhere up above. Water ingress can happen through even the tiniest of cracks, particularly after prolonged periods of heavy rain and over time this water can cause all sorts of problems, from mould to a weaker building structure. As soon as you spot any leaks, make sure you have a professional roofer come out to take a look so they can see what, if any, repairs are needed. It could be something as simple as a loose tile, but it’s always best to double check. 2. Loose/damaged/missing tiles Talking of tiles, these can take a serious battering over time and it’s inevitable that they will eventually start to crack, slip or just fall off the roof altogether. If this happens, water can start to penetrate the underlayment of the roof, leading to rot and internal damage… so it’s best to get any tile issues sorted out sooner rather than later, or you’ll end up with a bigger, more expensive problem on your hands. 3. Old age Sadly, nothing lasts forever – and your roof is certainly no exception to this rule. Typically, if your roof is over 20 years old and hasn’t been checked over in the last five years or so, you might want to make sure that a roofing contractor casts their expert eye over it to make sure it’s still fit for purpose. New and innovative roofing materials and technological advancements mean that older roofs can be more susceptible to damage… and 20 years is a long time to be in service, exposed to the harsh realities of British weather, so it’s very likely that your older roof will have sustained some kind of wear and tear over the years. Paying attention to signs such as these will mean you can keep on top of any issues before they become seriously problematic. You could save yourself thousands of pounds by adopting a more proactive approach to roof health – so if you’d like us to carry out an inspection (and any associated repairs) get in touch with the 4 Heatons team today.