Winter Roof Watch

Winter places extra stresses on our roofs - plummeting external temperatures coupled with increased internal heating cause expansion and contraction of roof materials as well as condensation pockets in which ice can form, causing breakage and cracks. Ice and frost can add to the problems. Heavy snow can add significantly to your roof's weight, increasing pressure over the entire area including joists, guttering and outlet zones. Other wintry weather conditions including thawing, hail, driving winds (etc) can create extra issues, even forcing tiles off the roof.

If your roof isn't in tip-top condition, it won't withstand these problems well and you'll be left with a big bill come Spring.

It isn't possible to see everything that's going on underneath layers of ice and snow, which is why (as with water pipes) problems often only become apparent when ice melts; but keeping an eye on your roof can go a long way to avoiding issues. 

What to look for:

• Loose tiles, cracked and buckled shingles. You can also look in your loft space, inspecting the inside of the roof for gaps and cracks. Provided the roof isn't already covered in snow you may see daylight
• Whilst in the loft, also examine the floor and joists for damp patches, mould and slime.
• Gutter leaks. These should always be looked at but don't ignore leaks caused simply by too much leaf and moss detritus accumulating in the gutters. It's VITAL to get these cleared before the worst of the weather, as ice tends to refreeze in roof-edge areas (they are colder). This prevents new snow from melting away down the roof, creating what is known as an "Ice Dam" that can force the water into the house. A blocked gutter increases the likelihood of this happening by creating a further dam.

If you're in any doubt always call in a professional. Never climb onto the roof without proper safety equipment and without knowing fully what you are doing. In many cases, we can give guidance over the phone but we also offer free on-site assessment so you have nothing to lose.

Open all Winter:

We're open all Winter so call today on 07855 535581 or drop us an email and we'll get back to you ASAP

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