PermaRoof UK is warning of the importance of protecting roofs from harsh weather, as the Met Office predicts 30-40cm of snow in some areas
With yellow weather warnings issued and the Met Office predicting temperatures could fall as low as -15C, the harsh weather could cause major issues for people across the country who haven’t equipped their buildings – both commercial and residential – for the extreme conditions. Protecting roofs from snow is an often overlooked part of this.
Adrian Buttress, managing director of PermaRoof UK, part of PermaGroup, said: “When considering the impacts of severe weather, people’s first thoughts are for the roads and railways but roofing is an essential part of infrastructure that can often be forgotten.
“The first issue to consider is the weight of the snow on the roof. While we don’t often get enough snow in the UK to cause concerns regarding weight, it’s always good to be prepared and ensure your roof won’t buckle under pressure. Additionally, the snow itself can be harmless to flat roofs but the concentrated volume of water that comes once it has melted does pose issues.
Waterproofing is an essential part of protecting roofs from snow
“If not correctly waterproofed, or poor-quality products have been used at the installation phase, water ingress, sagging and even complete failure can occur, depending on the state of the roof.
“While it’s not possible to fully eradicate the risk of damage, particularly when we’re experiencing such extreme weather, there are several factors that can help to minimise the likelihood of serious damage, like we’re expecting to see in the coming days.
“At a time when cost is at the forefront of people’s minds, it’s important to understand that a higher upfront cost is likely to save money in the long run, as it all but eradicates the risk of premature failure, which is crucially important during ever-changing weather like snowstorms when our roofs are put under more pressure than ever.
“Investing in high-quality products ensures you’re investing in a warranty – covering your roof for its expected lifespan. It also means that, should any issues arise, the parts are trackable and can be reviewed and replaced by an equally high-quality product that works within the full system.
Better to prepare than repair, with a roof survey
“It’s not just snow that people need to be aware of either. Heavy rain or flooding, extreme cold snaps and even dramatic heat waves can all cause premature ageing of a roof and other challenges.
“We always say that ‘prevention is better than cure’ and, for anyone concerned about how their roof is going to fare against the unpredictable weather, it’s always worth seeking specialist advice. A simple roof survey will be able to identify any weaknesses or issues hiding below the surface that may be able to be rectified before a failure takes place.”
