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.