How the Weather Affects My Roof

Apart from adding to the aesthetics of the home and the value of the property, the major role a roof plays is to protect the property and occupants from the weather elements – sun, rainfall, snow etc. Various forms of extreme weather like heavy rainfall, hail or extremely hot weather can affect your roof. Usually this may happen gradually overtime which may be considered part of wear and tear or it could happen instantly. Roof repairs are common following extreme weather like strong winds or thunderstorms.
 
Here we look at how the weather affects your roof over time.
 
Water Damage to the roof
Whether you have a flat or pitched roof, if you notice water marks on the ceilings or walls, peeling or cracked plaster, discoloured areas around the ceiling, wood rot in the attic or around skylights then water may have damaged your roof. Other common traits are mould growing around the chimney or the darkening of ceiling paint. It is possible a thunderstorm has exposed the holes in your roof, its flashing, or the ventilation in your attic. You need to call a qualified local roofer promptly to repair your roof as leaving it could lead to further damage to the roof and your property as well. It could lead to mould growth on your roof or eat away at the building materials used for the construction of the property.
 
Shingles
High winds, thunderstorms, hail, and other extreme weather conditions can affect roof shingles. When high winds hit your roof, it could lead to shingles falling off especially if they have been loosened over time by the elements. Even new secure shingles on new roofs can fall off depending on the speed of the wind. Also, if there are nearby trees, strong winds or thunderstorms can cut off branches thereby falling on your roof which may lead to cracks, holes, or loose shingles. There have been incidents were thunderstorms have carried away shingles entirely. Hailstorms are also known to lead to shingle loss. Bad weather can also make your roof shingles lift or curl. To protect your shingles, it is advisable to trim long branches of trees that are close to your roof.
 
Gutters
Gutters serve the purpose of channelling rainwater from the roof to drainage points. If water collects and stays on the roof it could lead to long term damage. Whether you have a flat or pitched roof, gutters are extremely essential. After bad weather, try to determine if your gutters have been loosened, cracked, or bent. The aftermath of thunderstorms and strong winds could be dislodged gutters from properties. Regular inspection of your gutters is key as bad gutters will not direct water away from your foundation which can affect the structural integrity of your home.
 
Hail Damage
Softball sized hailstones can be dense and strong enough to puncture your roof. The impact points of hail damage are usually soft like a bruise to your roof. This means if not quickly noticed they can lead to water infiltration and further deterioration of your property.  Hail can crack metal or ceramic roofing tiles and even break asphalt shingles. It is important to have qualified roofers to repair your roof to avoid long term structural decline.
 
UV Exposure
Overtime, the exposure to heat and UV rays can start to dry out your roof leading it to shrink and weakening wooden structures. This is because most roofs are unshaded with no level of protection between the roof and UV rays from the sun. As roof tiles face exposure to sunlight over long period of time, they may begin to buckle and the joints between the tiles will become looser as shrinkage occurs.
 
It is advisable to have a good local roofer responsible for maintaining the roof to detect any issues quickly and address them accordingly. They can also advise on materials that are less susceptible to UV exposure.
 
Risk of thermal Shocks
Thermal shocks to roofs usually happens over the summer periods due to higher than average temperatures during the day which may drop off at night-time. The extreme and sudden changes in temperature and moisture can cause the materials on the roof to expand and contract within a short time frame which will affect the structural integrity of the roof.
 
Growth on Roof
Roofs that have not been maintained overtime may suffer from moisture trapped between tiles or under the support structures. Mould and moss can quickly grow spreading across the roof structure over the summer period due to warmth and moisture. This can creep into attic spaces and onto the external walls.
 
Rainy Days
As the UK is famous for its constant wet weather, the consistent beating of rainfall on your roof can wear it down over a period. It may take weeks or months or years but after a while it takes a tool on your roof. To avoid further damage, it is important that you have proper drainage system for your roof to transport the water to an appropriate drainage area. Also make sure the gutters are clear and rainy days occasionally come with winds which blow all kinds of materials into your gutters thereby restricting the movement of rainwater.