Flat roofs, common on extensions, garages and some older properties across Hanham, respond to storm damage rather differently to a pitched, tiled roof, and the warning signs aren't always as obvious from the ground. Where a missing slate announces itself clearly, flat roof damage can be quieter and easier to overlook until a leak actually appears indoors, sometimes well after the storm that caused it has passed and been largely forgotten about by the household. Blistering, where trapped moisture or air pushes up a bubble in the felt surface, is another sign worth checking for, since a storm can be enough to burst a blister that had previously been stable.
High winds can lift or tear the felt or membrane covering a flat roof, particularly at the edges or around any upstands, and splitting felt is one of the most common forms of storm damage on this type of roof. Once the surface is compromised, water can pool in the split or torn area rather than running off, making the problem worse with every further spell of rain rather than staying the same size it started at initially. Skylights and roof lights set into a flat roof are worth checking separately, since their seals can be affected by the same wind that damages the surrounding felt around them.
Debris is another factor specific to flat roofs, since anything blown onto the surface during a storm, from fallen branches to loose garden items, tends to stay there rather than sliding off as it might on a pitched roof, and can cause additional puncturing or wear if left in place for any length of time, particularly a branch that's rubbed against the same spot repeatedly in the wind over several days. A flat roof that's due for its scheduled inspection anyway is a good candidate to check sooner rather than later after any significant storm, rather than waiting for the usual interval.
Pooling water that doesn't drain away within a day or two after rain is worth flagging even without an obvious storm event, since it points to a drainage or fall issue that storm damage can often make worse, putting extra strain on an already weakened membrane and shortening the roof's remaining lifespan if it isn't addressed and put right promptly. It's also worth checking any guttering or outlets connected to the flat roof, since blocked drainage can make even minor storm damage considerably worse over the following weeks.
Because damage to a flat roof surface isn't always visible from ground level, a proper inspection is the most reliable way to check for splits, lifted edges or standing water after any significant storm has passed through Hanham, particularly if the roof isn't easily viewed from an upstairs window in the property itself. Where a flat roof covers a room used daily, such as a kitchen extension, catching damage early avoids the disruption of having to vacate the space while repairs are carried out.
If you have a flat roof that's taken a battering in recent weather, it's worth getting it looked at before minor damage becomes a full leak. Brunel Roofing Bristol offers free inspections and emergency repairs for flat roofs across Hanham.
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