How to Stop Wind from Damaging your Roof

How to Stop Wind from Damaging your Roof

It’s a fact that we’re no match for Mother Nature and unfortunately, it can be difficult to stop the weather from causing your roof to wear over time.

With stormy weather lashing the UK more than ever it seems, it’s up to property owners to make sure that their property is secure and the roof is able to contend with strong weather conditions.

Gale force winds are becoming a feature of our weather in Britain, and there have even been tornadoes recorded across the country in recent years. In fact, Birmingham was hit by the country’s worst tornado for 30 years back in 2005 in a storm that left the city with around a £40m repair bill.

Although these severe storms are relatively rare, wind can still cause damage to your roof because the roof is the part of your property that takes the brunt of bad weather. Although your roof is built to withstand these sorts of conditions, there are steps you can take to make extra sure that your roof is able to do its job properly.

How Does Wind Damage Your Roof?

The perimeter of your roof is the most vulnerable to windy weather. These are the points that take the biggest hit when it comes to the wind. Wind hits the edges of your roof hardest. This is because they are the first point of contact for the wind, which strikes here first and then blows across the centre of your roof, so the centre of the roof fares slightly better.

There is a technical name for the wind pressure that blows across your rooftop. The pressure that creates suction is called negative pressure. Positive pressure is the reverse, when the wind pushes against the tiles – which can cause the tiles to lift if there’s any damage to your roof. This can cause a real problem because when one tile begins to lift, it can affect adjacent tiles too and before you know it, strips of tiles have peeled away and you need a new roof.

A roof that is well maintained is able to cope with the wind pressure but when tiles are lifted and shingles are moved exposing the inner membrane of the roof, that’s when the real trouble can begin.

Protecting Your Roof

To limit the damage to your roof, it’s important that there are no vulnerabilities. You should check that all the tiles are securely in place and that guttering is firmly attached.

As a property owner, you should have a regular maintenance routine for your roof, getting any roof repairs carried out as soon as they occur and inspecting your roof, chimney and guttering often. A little maintenance can save you from serious roofing problems in the future.

When inspecting the roof, look for debris that has fallen to the ground, such as moss or shingles. Moss can be a real problem for your roof as it can push up the tiles or cause water to freeze on the roof during winter.

Check for water spots or other signs of damage indoors too. If you see rotting timber, rust, chipped paint or mould, these could all be signs of a leaking roof. If there’s any light coming through from the roof, it could indicate that there are gaps in your roofing. And if light can enter, so can water and wind.

If you have any concerns about your roof or you want your roof assessed by a professional roofer, contact G&A Roofing and Building.

We are trained roofers who offer a vast range of roof maintenance work and general repairs. We offer roof reports and surveys, emergency roof repairs, gutter maintenance, chimney repairs and many more services.

Call G&A Roofing and Building to discuss your requirements with an experienced roofer today on 0800 626430.