The Great British summer is not known for it’s hot weather, sandy beaches and for being a popular holiday spot. Yet, this summer has been unprecedented, with relentless sun and scorching temperatures. In the first month and a half of summer, we’ve seen a record low 47mm of rain. The driest summer on record was in 1995, when over the three months we saw just 103mm. Weather never comes without its problems – while families are out enjoying the sun, the water reserves are constantly monitored in case restrictions come into place, and farmers fear for their food supplies. Water damage is one of the biggest threats to the integrity of your roof, and especially after long periods of hot weather, this leads to increased chances of sudden heavy rainfall and flash floods. If you experience damage from the elements and need instant attention, when looking for roofers in Nottingham you can be safe in the knowledge that we’ll promptly sort out your issue. Heavy rainfall and rapid temperature changes can be awful for your roof, so here we’ve written an article so you know what to look out for.
How does water damage occur?
Different types of roofing technology are more susceptible than others to the elements. For example, clay tiles are porous, so if they are holding water and undergo sudden temperature changes, they can crack. However, slate and concrete are not porous, and will not become porous over time as is a commonly held myth. The real issue is rain penetrating between gaps in tiles. Rainfall is almost never completely straight down. Especially in heavy winds, rain fall can approach almost sideways, and it’s these situations where roofs are most exposed as the rain can get underneath the tiles.
A good roof should drain quickly, to avoid water sitting there. Leaks, in fact, tend to start when the weather is hot and sunny – as the sun hits stagnant water and it evaporates, it can cause damage to the particular spot over time. This is why flash flooding and sudden heavy rainfall during hot periods is such a big problem, and this is what is likely to happen this summer. Unfortunately, because damage that occurs in this way happens when it’s hot and sunny, it’s only during a period of rainfall that you’ll know that there is in fact a leak. This is a huge problem, especially when a big storm or sustained period of rainfall is coming, so it’s something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. At worst, this can happen in multiple places on your roof! You don’t want to get caught out once rain becomes more frequent and heavy as the weather cools.
Flat roofing may not drain as quickly but should be well sealed and have a good drainage system in place. A poorly draining flat roof is susceptible to rain water collecting and causing wear damage or even damage by sheer weight!
What to do if you have a leak
If you notice water leaking into your house, place a bucket underneath to collect the drops. Move anything in the vicinity that is at risk to a dry room, such as furniture and electronics. If you can’t move bigger items of furniture, for example, find something to cover them with. If you want to direct the water, you can pin a piece of a string where the leak is coming from, so the water will travel down the string. Once your things are safe, you need to find the leak as soon as possible! If you’ve experience, you can do this yourself, or simply choose reliable roofing contractors in Nottingham to get instant expert attention. In emergency situations you won’t necessarily have time to check things like reviews of roofing companies, but a cursory glance on google can help you make sure you’ll encounter no problems.
When identifying the source of the leak, trace the water through the attic. You can find that water can take a completely unique route, and the leak in your roof might be nowhere near where water is leaking into your house. For example, you may have water dripping into a bedroom, but in face the leak in the roof is above a different bedroom. It is always better to have a professional identify the exact source, to make sure it can be properly dealt with.
Protect your roof
It’s always a good course of action, over time, to do a little maintenance. This will cost less in the long run than repairs required for a major problem. Especially with the volatile British weather, maintenance will always be important. Inspect your gutters twice a year and ensure they are cleared of any blockages. A good roof sealant can be used for repairs – small cracks, leaking gutters etc. They are also an excellent preventative measure and create a waterproof barrier, that also prevents mould growth, and is safe and easy to apply.
Take good care of your roof, inspect your gutters and prevent damage from occurring before it has a chance! Check us out on gumtree, and also at the social media links below!
