Can the sun damage my flat roof?
Most of us may assume that harsh weather conditions such as snow, hail, rain and wind will do the most damage to our flat roofs. And to a certain extent this is true – there were numerous reports in the news over the winter about severe damage caused by the horrendous storms much of the UK faced. In some dire circumstances, flat roofs were torn off buildings by gale force winds, and it is only through good luck that no-one was seriously hurt.
However, what you may not realise is that the sun and higher temperatures can be almost as harmful to traditional flat felt roofs as the winter months. We are all enjoying the warmer weather and most of us will now ignore any niggling problems with our flat roofs until the temperature dips again and the prospect of leaks raises its ugly head. Big mistake.
Why does a felt flat roof blister
Whether your flat felt roof is on an extension, porch, dormer or garage, it is continually exposed to the elements. That small leak you keep putting off fixing or replacing more than likely originated in the summer, not the winter. As a flat felt roof ages, it can bubble and blister in the hot weather, causing your roof’s surface to become brittle. With temperature fluctuations, your flat roof can then crack, allowing any rainwater to seep through the protective layer and into the joists below.
But as summer approaches, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice the problem for weeks, if not months. Of course, if summer 2014 is a complete washout, you’ll probably uncover the damage pretty quickly but in the meantime, significant damage could be done to your flat roof, as well as the joists and rooms below it.
What can be done?
Once a traditional flat felt roof is compromised, it can be patched but it’s unlikely it will stand up to the job of protecting your home for much longer. Instead, why not consider investing in a replacement PVC membrane roof from High-Tech Membrane Roofing? 100% watertight, storm-resistant, unaffected by the elements, proven to withstand extreme temperatures (our roofing systems have been installed in numerous countries around the world, from Antarctica to Saudi Arabia), specifically engineered to resist damaging moss and algae, virtually maintenance free… what more could you want?
How about a LIFETIME guarantee that can be transferred to the new homeowner if you decide to sell or passed on to loved ones in the event of your death? We are so confident about the quality of our state-of-the-art single-ply PVC membrane roofing that we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is.
So don’t ignore the state of your flat roof this summer – invest now and reap the rewards for the rest of your life.
