Wind and Rain – How Can These Affect Your Roof?
The beginning of 2020 saw unprecedented storms all over the UK, causing extensive damage. Much of this was to do with flooding, but the wind and rain also damaged many roofs. Have you checked your roof since the storms? If not, here are some of the likely ways that wind and rain might have damaged it.
The Effects of Wind on Your Roof
A structurally sound roof should be able to withstand high winds, but the reality is that most roofs have weak spots. Whether pitched or flat, the parts most likely to be vulnerable to wind are along the edges. If there’s any loose material, the wind can get under it, creating upward pressure and making the spot even more vulnerable.
On the other hand, the wind also exerts downward pressure on your roof. This too will find any weak spots and can lead to tiles cracking.
The effect of high winds on your roof isn’t restricted to direct pressure, however. Storms can result in debris being blown about, and anything from trees and phone lines to small rubble can crack tiles if they hit the roof.
The Effects of Rain on Your Roof
On the whole, rain doesn’t cause damage to the outer roofing material, but it does exploit any weakness to get inside the roof, where it can rot the roofing timbers. Even a tiny crack in a tile or your roofing felt can be enough.
Another area of potential weakness is the leadwork in any valley your roof may have. The lead bridges a gap between roof sections, so any degradation can result in rain getting through.
Wind and rain can combine to create problems with your guttering. This is because dirt and debris blown in the wind are likely to clog the gutters and downpipes, and heavy rain will then cause overflows and cracks, putting your home’s foundations under threat.
Prevention Is Better than Cure
It’s vital to check your roof after any storm and ensure that any damage is repaired before the next heavy weather hits. It’s even better, though, to make certain your roof is in good repair before the storm.
If the wind exposes the inside of the roof to heavy rain, you could be looking at major repair work to the roof structure, rather than simply replacing a few tiles or repairing felt. Your building insurance might pay for this, but some insurers refuse claims if the roof hasn’t been adequately maintained
Get in touch if you want to know more about either roof repairs or preventative maintenance.
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