HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ROOF FROM STRONG WINDS
Have you noticed the weather has been getting more unpredictable? The Met Office is predicting that winter storms are likely to increase in frequency and intensity, putting our roofs under more pressure than ever before.
This is a worry for many of us, but the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to protect your roof from strong winds. To make this process a breeze, roofing expert Daniel Osbourne from MyJobQuote.co.uk takes you through the practical steps you can take.
Carry Out Seasonal Maintenance
The best way to protect your roof from strong winds is to keep it in tip-top condition. A poorly maintained roof is at risk from moisture ingress, which can rot timbers and weaken your roof’s structure. This means that when the winds get up, it’s more likely to suffer from damage.
Get slipped tiles fixed promptly, remove heavy moss growth before it can do any damage and clear out gutters every six months.
Arrange an Inspection
Getting your roof inspected at least once a year will prevent problems and weaknesses from going unnoticed and will give you confidence that your roof is in good shape to weather winter storms. If your home is in an exposed location, such as on the coast, it’s wise to get it inspected every six months.
Remove Overhanging Branches
Windy weather doesn’t just put your roof under pressure; it also batters the trees. Because of this, trees and large branches often come down in storms. If trees are overhanging your roof structures, they do pose a risk. So, it’s wise to cut back overhanging branches and get large trees inspected regularly, as diseased trees are more likely to fall down than healthy ones.
Switch to More Robust Roofing Materials
Some roofs are more robustly built than others. Outbuildings, garages and sheds, and flat-roofed extensions, are often more susceptible to wind damage.
Those built with traditional felt or with plastic and corrugated roofing sheets can be vulnerable to strong winds. Therefore, it can be worth upgrading these roofs with more robust materials such as conventional slates or tiles or an EPDM membrane.
It’s also important to ensure that flat roofs are constructed with high-performance fasteners, edging strips and flashing to prevent uplift in strong winds.
Install Fascia Boards and Soffits
Fascia boards fit along the edge of the roof, and soffits fit on the underside of the overhang. Both of these can be used to shield your roof’s edges from the worst of the weather. They prevent moisture from weakening the timbers and stop strong winds from lifting tiles. So, if you’re looking to bolster your roof’s defences, installing these can be a good move.
Secure Aerials and Dishes
Once an aerial or satellite dish has been installed, it’s easy to forget about it. But as they tend to stay on the roof for decades, exposed to the elements, the fixings do rust away. This means they can dislodge quite easily in windy weather, potentially damaging tiles and guttering.
If you’re no longer using your aerial or dish, it might be worth getting it removed. However, if you are still using it, ask your roofer to check it’s still secure when they inspect the roof.
Check the Chimney
When a chimney’s not in use, you might think there’s no need to maintain it. But chimneys are particularly vulnerable to strong winds and can cause a lot of damage if they come down.
That’s why it’s important to pay particular attention to your chimney when you’re carrying out roof maintenance. Look out for signs of movement and weathering, such as cracks in the mortar, leaning pots and weeds growing out of the top.
Even if your chimney looks fine, repointing it and getting it lined can help to bolster its strength. To ensure it stays in good condition, your roofer may also recommend installing a new lead tray, replacing the flashing and rendering the stack.
Consider a Reroof
If your roof has already been repaired multiple times or you’ve found tiles or slates on the ground after previous storms, it might be worth replacing your roof to ensure it’s able to withstand high winds.
Tile fixings rust away over time, making it easier for the wind to dislodge them. Furthermore, strong winds can whistle through an old roof, making your home less comfortable during stormy weather and harder to keep warm. So, if your roof is more than 30 years old, it may be time to replace it.
Final Thoughts
Roofs bear the brunt of the bad weather. So, when storms hit, it can be a worry. However, if you keep up with the maintenance and make upgrades where necessary, you can be confident that your roof has all the protection it needs.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR… DANIEL OSBOURNE
Daniel Osbourne is a UK-based roofer with over fifteen years of experience in the industry. As a roofing expert for MyJobQuote.
