Can a flat roof suffer damage from high winds
The whole of the UK is experiencing horrendous weather at the moment. Flooding, snow and heavy winds are pummelling the country as engineers work to reconnect over 16,000 properties that are still without power.
In Oxford, the roof of a block of flats blew off in gale force winds. Residents were evacuated from their homes when the roof of a block of flats in Southampton blew off, narrowly missing a toddler and his father and destroying two cars and damaging many others. There were also significant delays on the M55 into Blackpool after a roof was blown off a building.
What about your flat roof? Are you 100% confident that it can withstand gale force winds and torrential downpours?
What would happen if the recent storms did damage a flat roof?
The problem with a flat roof is that if a leak was to occur, the damage is likely to go unnoticed for quite a long time. This is because the water will penetrate and soak the decking and any insulation underneath, saturating porous material before the leak can be spotted by human eye.
This saturation can lead to rot that can weaken the roof structure, making the damage both expensive and dangerous to the property’s occupier. Underlying roof that is soaked can sag, creating even more space for rainwater to pool and causing even more damage in the process.
There are also various health risks involved as mould spores can affect the breathing of both humans and pets.
What if there was a dispute with my insurer as to whether I could claim due to storm damage?
House insurance companies will not simply pay out to cover the damage caused by recent storms. If there is any doubt that your flat roof was not in a fit state before the bad weather, you may end up finding yourself out of pocket.
You may then consider lodging a complaint against your insurer. However, the Financial Ombudsman Service states that when investigating a complaint that involves a claim for a flat roof said to have been damaged in a storm, it will also take into account the condition of the property at the time of the event.
If it is determined that the flat roof was already in a poor state of repair before storm damage occurred, and if believed that the homeowner would – or should – have been aware of its previous condition, the Financial Ombudsman Service is unlikely to uphold a consumer’s complaint against an insurer who declined the initial claim.
What is the answer?
Firstly, ensuring that your existing flat roof is in a decent state is a must. If it’s not, choosing the right replacement roofing material is essential if you don’t want to end up having the same problem ten years down the line.
High-Tech Membrane Roofing’s preferred single-ply membranes can only be supplied and installed by a licensed flat roofing installation company. Offering the ultimate in flat roof protection, our flat roof membranes are engineered to form a 100% waterproof covering that protects against the worst weather, whether that is damaging UV rays or torrential rain.
Maintenance free and 100% resistant to moss and algae growth, you can put your trust in High-Tech Membrane Roofing – with a unique LIFETIME guarantee, your flat roof will withstand the ‘Great’ British elements for the rest of your life.
