Wind Damage to Roofs and What Steps You Can Take to Prevent It

The weather in the UK seems to become more intemperate, with stormy weather sweeping across the country and gale force winds being a regular feature of our winters. Even the odd tornado has been recorded in the country in recent years, with Birmingham suffering the worst tornado for around 30 years in back 2005 that was said to cost around £40m in repairs.

While this kind of phenomenon is thankfully quite rare, your roof can suffer the most damage in stormy weather. When it comes to protecting your home, your roof takes a lot of the strain. It is often roof tiles that succumb to wind damage, especially if they’re loose or already damaged.

Stop Weather Putting the Wind up Your Roof

Your roof is designed to withstand this kind of battering, but there are steps you can take to limit the damage that’s done to your roof in extreme weather. The edges of your roofing are particularly susceptible to damage, taking most of the pressure when the wind blows across your roof. The centre of the roof fares slightly better and suffers lower stress from windy conditions.

The technical term for this wind pressure against your roof is called negative pressure, which is a suction action, and positive pressure, when the wind pushes against your roof tiles. This action can lift the roof tiles if they’re even the slightest bit loose, and that’s when the real damage is done.

If your roof is in good condition then it will protect your property adequately, but when the wind starts to shift the materials on your roof, whether it’s the shingles, tiles or even the roof membrane, then you’re exposing the inside of your property to the elements. The suction and push motion can get underneath the tiles or into the membrane of your roof, lifting it up completely. When that happens, you could be in real trouble. Your roof tiles can start to shift rather like a domino effect – once one tile has been lifted, it can affect the adjacent tiles, making them peel away from the roof. As soon as the underside of your roof is exposed, it’s only a matter of time until the rain starts leaking in.

Minimise the Damage

To help minimise storm damage to your roof, make sure that roof tiles and gutters are securely attached. Having a proper maintenance routine for your roof can help you avoid a crisis in the future. If you’re worried about the state of your roof, a roof report or survey can tell you if there’s anything wrong, so that you can take action before the stormy weather comes.

Inspect the roof as often as you can, and be aware of any debris falling off, such as shingles or moss. Moss on the ground that has fallen from the roof may look harmless enough but if there’s moss growing on your roof then it could pose a real problem by pushing up the roof tiles.

On the inside, you can perform a quick check for leaks. If it’s raining this will be easier to spot, but you can also look for dried water stains and damage such as rotting timber or rust. If there’s any light coming through the roof, then it could be the result of gaps in your roofing and this could let in the wind and rain.

For a trained roofer in your local area, contact G&A Roofing and Building. We specialise in roofing work, providing affordable maintenance for property owners and helping take care of your home or business so that you’re safe from the elements. Our professional roofers can inspect your roof and undertake maintenance work and repairs so that you don’t have to worry when the weather turns.

Speak to G&A for free advice and quotations – our team is more than happy to help. Call us on 0800 626430.