Autumn Roofing & Climate Change

July was not only the hottest July on record, it was also the hottest month globally since records began. Climate scientists tell us this is all part of a pattern and we should expect more of these extremes: hotter, windier, wetter, less stable, more damaging. So what is the state of the nations roofs, what are the particular challenges they face, and how are they likely to hold up if predictions are correct?

Clearly, we rely heavily upon our roofs, even if most of the time we hardly notice them. They are the "hat" of whatever building we're in  - be it home, office, school, museum, cinema or shopping centre. And we trust that hat to be sound, to keep us protected and safe from whatever the weather throws at us, however bad it gets.

This is a newspost about Autumn roofing, so it's natural our thoughts might be turning to wind and rain. It is, after all, the season of storms and change. As I write this, more than 5cm of rain are forecast in my hometown this evening - that's a lot of rain. After that, we still have Winter ahead, and some are forecasting a cold one for the UK. If they're right, this will mean not just the weight of snow on our roofs, but also ice, much more damaging to roofs than snow (due to ingressed water freezing and cracking apart roofs and build up of frozen "dams" in guttering). 

But despite the storms, Autumn is still the single best time of year to sort your roof out. Why?

Because Winter hasn't happened yet.

Ask questions:

That makes it the perfect time to see how the roof has stood up to the overheating of summer - Are there any cracks or leaks? Any bubbling or patchiness that might potentially be a problem for the integrity of the roof once Autumn has thrown 5cm of water at it of an evening? Are gutters clean and sound? If you go into your loft space (assuming you can get into it), are there any patches of damp or mould that could indicate water has been getting where it shouldn't? Do fascias and flashings look secure and whole? If you're not sure or can't get up to your roof to have a better look safely, never be afraid to call a professional - that's what they're there for and, if they're worth their salt, they should know exactly what they're looking for. Ask questions, check credentials, know your options.

And think about roof materials: 

Some look nice but aren't that great at withstanding more extreme weather, some disintegrate quickly under too much change, especially if those extremes are close together. Some, such as tiles, are notorious for coming off in a gale, a major hazard to property and people. If the weather is getting more extreme, it stands to reason you will need a roof that can stand up to extremes.

For interest - polymer roofing is UV-proof, water-proof, weather-proof, wind-proof, fire-proof AND theft-proof. And because it adheres to the actual substrate, it isn't going anywhere. 

However, when thinking about getting our roof in shape, it's easy to forget about Summer, and this is where we come full circle, back to our extremely hot July. Roofing-wise, the main problems during a total scorcher of a Summer are roofing materials that melt (i.e. bitumen/tarmac based roofs) and roofs that make the building beneath them hotter and hotter. Research shows that the best two things you can do about this, whether you're a business or a homeowner, are:

a) Pale-coloured roofing: Black or dark roofs retain more heat, absorbing both visible and non-visible light that, according to the US Dept of Energy (I'm sure it works the same here though) can reach temperatures of 150F or more. Pale roofs reflect heat and can take as much as 35F off surface and internal ambient temperatures. P.S. With polymer roofing, you can have a pale roof or a dark roof, up to you.

b) Vegetation: So-called "green roofs" or "living roofs" perform many admirable functions, not only filtering pollutants, absorbing CO2 and releasing life-giving oxygen, but also reducing "heat islands" caused by humans heating up cities and towns, reducing air and surface temperatures. This is because plants prevent energy building up as heat, by absorbing it and releasing it in the daily dew & evaporation cycle, AND because soil is a superb insulator, which help to maintain a steady temperature year round (much as caves do) - so they feel cool in the Summer and relatively cosy in the Winter. What's more, they absorb between 25%-90% of rain that falls on them, depending on the season (rather than contributing to yet more surface run-off and flooding). All you need for a green roof is a strong substrate, capable of holding plenty of weight, and a good waterproofing membrane - see our Turf Roofing section for more.

Of course, not everyone can rush out and have a turf roof, but simple changes such as pale roofing and effective materials can certainly help, as can making sure you keep an eye out for roofing problems before harsh weather makes it unavoidable. If we can help at all, or you'd like to discuss your roof with professional, knowledgeable roofers, give us a call today on 07855 535581 or drop us an email - We aim to reply to all emails within 24 hrs, never chase or hassle you and never give your details to anyone else.

In the meantime, there's lots to find out on the website so feel free to browse!