Hot summer takes its toll on fibreglass flat roofing

The scorching hot summer of 2018 may now be behind us, but its effects are not. For the nation's roof owners, the heatwave caused problem after problem, many of which only became apparent during the rains that followed.

Most people only worry about their roofs during wet or windy weather, because that's when problems tend to become noticeable. But the reality is that very hot weather such as this year's heatwave can easily damage roof materials, especially fibreglass felt and bitumen, all of which are very common on flat roofs. Depending on the age and quality of the roof, this damage can be direct (e.g. causing cracking, leaking, splitting or blistering) or simply speed up the wear and tear on the roof, reducing its lifespan.

As a result of this, we've had a steady stream of enquiries since June about fixing and/or lining fibreglass flat roofs. Many of them do not seem to have survived the summer heatwave well.

So, is there anything you can do to protect your flat roof? 

If the problem is still at a very early stage, you may be able to make minor repairs in order to extend the roof life a little BUT it is important to note that, when it comes to roofs, problems don't go away so the issue, whatever it is, is going to need to be dealt with sooner or later. If you're unsure whether it can wait, many roofers (including us) offer free, no-obligation, on-site assessments. Just be sure to check credentials to ensure the roofers you choose are good ones who aren't likely to tell you work needs doing when it doesn't, or alternatively who will miss work that does need doing. As a general rule, if the roof is already leaking, cracked, split or blistered, you will need to replace it.

Blistering happens when water ingress under the roof material (often felt) is heated by the sun during the day and expands, lifting the roof from the substrate. This expansion is followed by night time cooling, which traps more water and feeds the expansion/contraction cycle of blistering and material strain. If the bubbling is minor and the roof is still relatively new, sections of felt can be cut and replaced (you may have seen this "patchwork effect" on older felt roofs). With older roofs however, it will save you money and hassle simply to replace it, as once materials like felt begin to degrade they generally create a lot of problems. Remember with roofs, it isn't just the roof you have to think about, it's everything underneath it.

Because repeated expansion, contraction and water ingress cause moisture to penetrate into the roof itself, installing a 100% waterproof lining beneath the new roof material is highly recommended in order to protect the substrate.

Despite the heat, when it comes to roofs, moisture ingress in hot weather can also cause fungal problems, particularly underneath flashings, which are essential for maintaining proper roof drainage, so it is well worth getting any flashings looked at too. 

Other than cracking, blistering or splitting, one other important sign to look for is water that pools in a "sagged" area when there is rain. It is important not to ignore this as during very hot weather, the sun will hugely accelerate the damage this does. If water does not either drain or evaporate from your roof within 3 days / 72 hours, you can be reasonably sure there is a problem. This is referred to as "standing water" and is usually caused either by a substandard installation that fails to taper the roof sufficiently or by ineffective drainage. It can cause a lot of damage, so needs looking at.

What now?

Take a look around the website to find out more about what we do. To talk to us about your roof or to request a free, no-obligation assessment, simply give us a ring on 07855 535581 or drop us an email with your details and we'll ring or email you back. We work all over the UK (including the Highlands and Islands, can reach even hard-to-access areas, plus we know roofs and we know waterproofing! Your details are safe with us, we never pass them on to third parties, and we won't chase or hassle you either, so rest assured you're in good hands.