Common Summer Roofing Issues in the UK and How to Address Them

Problems with your roof are most often associated with winter, and many homeowners relax in the summer when it comes to roof maintenance. Summer brings its problems, though, so it’s important to remain vigilant. Here are some of the most common summer roofing issues.

Heat and UV Rays

While cold can damage your roof, so can extreme heat — and recent trends suggest that we’ll be getting a good deal more of that from now on. In particular, exposure to the UV rays present in direct sunlight can cause the roofing membrane to shrink if tiles are cracked or missing.

If the tiles are pulling away from the membrane, this could be a sign that the membrane has shrunk. You should call a roofer immediately if you see this, but it’s even better to prevent it from happening by looking out for cracked or missing tiles and having them replaced straight away.

Tree Damage

We normally think about trees as being a danger to roofs when gales blow branches off and cause damage. This can still happen in any season, but another danger is from trees close to your home growing rapidly through the summer months. If the branches overhang the roof, constant rubbing can wear away the protective coating of the tiles.

Keep an eye on any trees growing close to the building and have them cut back before they can start causing damage. Even better, plant trees well away from the house — the roof isn’t the only part they can damage.

Pests

There are many creatures around in the summer that might damage your roof. Wasps, bees and hornets tend to nest in dark, secluded spots — such as uninsulated roofspaces. If they’re left, they can cause structural damage.

If you suspect you have a nest, the best thing is to get a professional exterminator in — though, if it’s a bees’ nest, you may prefer to call in a beekeeper who can lure them away. Your roofing company may well have contacts with pest controllers used to working on roofs.

Damp — Not Just in Winter

Again, we tend to associate leaks in the roof with winter, but they can be a summer problem, too. If you haven’t had your roof looked at after the spring storms, there may be cracks that summer rain can exploit — or heavy summer rains can cause the cracks in the first place.

Moisture that gets through into the roofspace can cause mould or mildew, which are hazardous to health, or it can rot timbers. While you’ll need to have the symptoms fixed, it’s also vital to get a roofing company to locate and repair the leaks.

For all these issues, you need an expert versatile roofing firm who’ll fix your problems promptly. Give us a ring to find out how we can help you.