When it comes to flat roofing in London, storms tend to be a prevalent issue. Often thought of as the most common form of damage to a roof, you can always expect heavy winds, hail, or rain at least once or twice a year in London.
All of these natural effects can cause severe damage to the integrity of your roof. It can result in water pooling issues. If the situation is left to worsen, you can even expect leaks or larger cracks.
As a result, to keep up with the changing seasons, you have to make sure you are prepared. In today’s article, we will discuss all the necessary tips to control the aftereffects of storm damage. Continue reading to learn more.
What Counts as Storm Damage?
For insurance purposes, it’s crucial to know the differences between the different types of roof damages and their respective warranties. In particular, storm damage is defined as anything that occurs due to external forces. Unlike regular damage caused by wear and tear, storm damage would require more immediate attention.
While opting for flat roofing in London, some well-known examples of storm damage include leaky attics, damaged flashing, or cracked shingles.
Types of Storm Damage
On the same note, storm damage can also be divided into various causes. The following are a few details on some of the most common causes of storm damage.
Hail Damage
This is the leading cause of roof damage during the spring and fall months. Especially when flat roofing in London, hail presents a sizeable threat to the structure of your home. Though it may only result in insignificant dings and holes, these issues can add up and become a more formidable threat later.
To help with this, you would need to undergo a thorough inspection after every hail storm. Specifically, you should be wary of indentations on shingles with missing granules or indents on metal roofs. You may even find a small round-shaped pattern in these divots.
Rain Damage
Practically all roofs are susceptible to damage caused by rain. They are the most common and noticeable type of storm damage.
In essence, you can think of water as your roof’s arch-nemesis. Avoiding leaks and flooding is a constant struggle that we are all meant to bear in mind. All of these issues are just amplified during storms. If adequate care is not given, rain damage could cause your roof to leak, rot, or mould. It can even cause structural damage that could harm the integrity of your property.
As a result, we recommend resolving rain damage with the utmost care. At the same time, we’d like to bring your attention to a recent storm alert within the UK. In this regard, we urge people in the strongest possible terms to stay away from the coast. [1]
Debris Damage
If your storm is severe enough, debris can even be found on the top of your roof. This could be anything from small stones and branches to giant tree limbs. They can leave your roof susceptible to moisture intrusions or structural damage. If you are not careful, these storms could have your whole roof collapsing onto itself.
Wind Damage
People are usually surprised to learn about the destructive power of the wind. Often associated with only a slight breeze, it’s hard to imagine winds capable of uprooting trees and tearing down power lines. Yet that’s what you should expect from these storms.
These disasters can result in anything from loose shingles to compromising the entire structural integrity of your home. With high enough speeds, these winds can just tear shingles straight off. Similar wind damage can also cause falling objects, such as downed power lines, tree branches, or debris.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storm Damage?
Knowing how easily storms can influence the well-being of your roof, it’s worth questioning whether this type of damage is even covered by your insurance company.
In most cases, homeowners insurance covers anything beyond the homeowner’s control. This would include extreme weather, such as tornadoes or hurricanes (also known as “acts of God” in the industry). Likewise, the same rules would apply to moderate weather conditions, such as wind, rain, and hail.
Specialists in Flat Roofing Systems
With all that being said, if you are looking for flat roofing specialists in the UK, why look any further?
At Kabi Flat Roofing, we cover everything related to flat roofing in London. Whether you need refurbishments, overlays, or waterproofing, we do it all, and we do it very professionally! We offer one-stop solutions for all residential and commercial roofs.
Contact us today for a free quote on our premium services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a flat top roof cost?
When flat roofing in London, you can expect the cost per square for a flat roof to vary a lot. Depending on the roof that needs replacement and the material, you would spend about £1,440 to £2,080. This averages at a rate of £45 to £65 per square meter.
There are also added costs if the contractor needs to replace any fascias, soffits, or guttering. In addition, extra insulation would need to meet building regulations, adding to the total cost.
What is the best material for flat roofing in the UK?
A lot goes into choosing the most ideal flat roofing material in the UK. But, if you want our recommendation as roofers, we’d have to go with EPDM rubber roofing. These are really easy to install and can have an average life expectancy of about 50 years. Not to mention, they can be installed in just one sheet and require minimal maintenance.
What is the best system for a flat roof?
As stated earlier, there are not a lot of systems that could compete with EPDM. EPDM provides a synthetic black rubber membrane capable of withstanding substantial pressure. With an expected lifespan of 25 to 30 years, they’re definitely worth it for their value.
How long does a flat roof last in the UK?
If it’s a traditional flat roof, these are made from mineral felt or asphalt. These are not durable materials and can only usually last about 10 to 15 years. However, if you keep up with maintenance or invest in better material, you could see your roof lasting around 20 to 30 years. In reality, it all depends on the foundations of the roof and its upkeep.
“It is not the beauty of the building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.”
David Allan Coe.