Although tornados and hurricanes and the damage they cause are rare severe weather phenomena seen in the UK, the common seasonal weather experienced in the UK can have a damaging effect on your roof, so it is necessary to be aware of roof maintenance to minimize the cost of roof repairs on your property.
In the UK, we can experience cold, frozen, or wet weather, even severe rain and gale-force winds which can damage the roof, as can the heat of the blistering summer sun.
A smart move would be to take some time to make a checklist of seasonal tasks, like examining your roof both inside and out, with added scrutiny, especially after severe weather.
How Hot Weather Affects a Roof
Although it seems unlikely that the summer months and the sun can be doing damage to the roof, the truth is your roof is exposed to UV rays from the sun which can do damage. Continuous prolonged heat from the sun can cause drying out of your roof which can result in shrinkages and weakening of roof battens. Also, the effect of the sun on your roof goes unnoticed until intense overnight storms bring lots of rain and debris falling on your roof and cause damage.
UV Exposure On Roofs
As many of our roofs are unshaded in the UK, there is little protection between your roof and the bombardment of unfiltered UV rays from the sun. Over time, exposure to heat and UV rays can dry out your roof, causing problems that include shrinkage as well as wood structures bleaching and weakening, potentially even cracking. Exposure to daily high summer temperatures can cause roof tiles to shrink, buckle or split and the joins between tiles are at risk of loosening as shrinkage occurs.
You should maintain and care for your roof properly over the summer to help minimize harm. And, making sure the air circulates correctly in your attic is key to avoiding more destruction from the heat of the summer.
Older Roofs
If your roof is older than ten years or you have unventilated attic space, or ‘hot roof’, as it is known, get in touch with your local roof repair and discuss the benefits of a new roof. There are many advantages of investing in a new roof which includes improved energy bills, improved insulation that protects against heat loss, and a big improvement in airflow around your roof structure.
Thermal Shock
Thermal shock is a threat to our roof during the heat of summer. Thermal shock happens when temperatures outside are higher than average throughout the day and then cool down rapidly once the sun goes down. The sudden temperature change can cause roof materials, especially metal, to contract or expand within a short space of time can lead to loss of structural integrity, and sometimes result in warping of the roof.
Preventing Mould Growth
Not maintaining your roof either because of lack of time or purchasing a property that has not had regular maintenance could mean your roof could have moisture trapped within support structures or between tiles. With increased warmth over the summer, trapped moisture can cause moss and mould to grow and spread over your roof, finding its way into attic space and down walls. For this reason, it’s important to treat your roof and remove growth to reduce the risk of spreading, which might lead to additional costs of getting it removed.
How Cold Weather Affects a Roof
During the colder months of winter we have bitter cold temperatures that bring increased chance of rain that can have an impact on your roof and can cause rain water to get trapped and cause damage to your roof.
Rainy Days
As we all know, rain is a common weather of the UK especially during the winter months. After weeks and months of constant and prolonged downpour of rain of your roof can take its toll. Check to ensure that your roof is draining properly and that there are no pools of water sitting on flat surfaces and check that guttering is free of leaves and other debris to protect against blockages and overflowing. When doing your roof maintenance it is recommended that you check to make sure down pipes are directly over drains and there are no leaks that could cause slippery walkways around your home.
Importance of Ample Drainage
Ensuring that you have efficient, ample drainage for your roof means the you are reducing the risk of water collecting on roof services which will prevent moisture building up between tiles and causing moss and mould growth. By maintaining your roof you can be confident in preventing leaks and trapped moisture and reduce the risk of mould, rot and damp in your attic space. Mould, and damp can become difficult to get rid of once it has started and it can be expensive to rectify, so its better to check and maintain than be left with a hefty repair bill.
Snow Flurries
With the wetter weather and falling temperatures, snow is never far behind and accumulated snow flurries on your roof can be a problem. Snow, which will not drain off your roof easily like water can be weighty on old or unmaintained roofs. Sometimes homeowners will allow the natural melt of the snow but for those who wish to clear the snow it is important to do it properly to prevent damage. For instance, some might think that using a shovel can be an easy and effective way of removing snow from the roof. However, using a shovel can result in roof tiles being damaged or becoming loose. Also, homeowners have used snow melting solutions like rock salt on their roofs and these salts can have a negative reaction with roofing materials which can result in costly repairs.
If you have worries and are concerned about the weight of snow on your roof, we would advise calling your local professional roof repair company for advice on the best course of action and methods for removal of heavy snow from your roof.
High Speed Icy Winds
Icy winds can also be a problem and can have an adverse effect on your roof, especially when we experience intense or severe weather. With high winds our roof tiles can become loose and move and sometimes can be lifted which can cause much damage across your rooftop. Preventative measures of damage from high winds is to check for missing or loose tiles and replacing or repairing where needed.
Weather Roof Maintenance and Safety
When preparing your roof for intense weather damage repair and working at height, you must only do so if you know how to utilise the correct safety equipment and are confident in getting the work done. Remember, falls from a roof or from a great height can result in life-changing injuries. With that in mind, it is always safer to call a roofing expert when you don’t feel confident in carrying out checks or performing maintenance yourself.
Roof Repairs Lancaster
At Roof Revive, we have been installing and repairing roofs for decades and we have the skills and experience to repair a wide range and types of roofs.
If you want to discuss your roofing issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today on – 01524 566 126
