Preparing Commercial Roofs for Winter Weather In Edinburgh

While it may seem a little bit early to be preparing for bad weather, the truth is, you can never be too prepared when it comes to the safety of your business and employees. Preparing your commercial roof for bad weather is extremely important; cold, damp weather and heavy downpours can cause extensive damage to your commercial roofing and lead to further damage if there are repairs that need to be carried out.

Many business owners put off inspecting or repairing their roof simply because of the cost. After all, if the roof keeps the rain off your employees’ heads then everything is fine, right? The reality is, just because your roof isn’t letting raindrops in or showing signs of leaks, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need some TLC. Small problems, such as cracks, can lead to far bigger issues that will cost you more in the long run. This is why it is important that, especially when winter is on its way, you always look after your roof.

Below, we take a look at how to prepare your commercial roof for bad weather. Of course, bad weather can be unpredictable and there is nothing we can do to stop it – but, there are ways that we can prepare and ways to prevent it from causing extensive damage to our roofs.

What effect does the weather have on your roof?

All types of weather can impact your roof. If you live in the UK, you’ll be familiar with the unpredictable and ever-changing weather. A beautiful, hot sunny day can cloud over and turn cold in the space of just five minutes. It’s not just bad weather that can have damaging effects on our roofs; in fact, the sun can be harmful too. Let’s take a look at how different types of weather affects our roofs.

Wind

Severe wind can damage your roof, particularly those that have asphalt shingles or tile roofs. Shingles and tiles can become loose or even go missing in the wind, threatening the structural integrity of the roof. In addition, protected membrane systems may also be at risk during windy weather, and can cause damage to the structural deck. In the worst case scenario, extremely strong winds can even uplift your roof.

Rain

We’re all familiar with a downpour of rain in the UK, but just how damaging is it to our roofs? Heavy rain can damage both the materials of our roof and the gutters. If there are cracks in your roof, water can enter through these cracks, leading to leaks and flooding.

Heat

You may not have even thought about how the heat can affect your roof, but the reality is, intense UV rays can cause damage. Hot sunny weather, and therefore dangerous UV rays, can weaken the bonds and seals in the materials of your roof. Humidity can increase the moisture in your roof, leading to mould growth, damp and rot. Furthermore, the heat can cause certain materials to swell; when they begin to shrink again in cooler weather, damage can be caused.

Schedule in a roof inspection

First and foremost, if you can’t remember the last time your roof was professionally inspected, it’s time to schedule one on the calendar. It is imperative that you find a roofing contractor near Edinburgh to carry out the inspection in order to ensure that any concerns or potential faults are identified before they get worse. It’s a good idea to have your commercial roof inspected before the bad weather sets in so that you can carry out any necessary repairs before further damage is caused by rain or wind.

It is difficult to work out how well your commercial roof is performing by yourself, which is why it is essential that you choose a qualified roofer to carry out the inspection for you. A professional Edinburgh roofers will be able to identify issues that are not visible to the untrained eye and offer advice on how to best prepare your roof for winter.

Carry out preventive maintenance

All roofs have a limited lifespan and, at some point, will need to be replaced, restored or repaired. However, maintaining your roof well and carrying out repairs when necessary can extend the lifespan of your roof and prevent further issues from developing.

It is important that you try as best as possible to keep your gutters clear. This should be done throughout the whole year, and not just when the weather is bad, but it is particularly important when winter is approaching. During the autumn, leaves, branches, twigs and other debris can fall into your gutters and block them. If your gutters are blocked, heavy downpours of rain and snow can cause water to enter your roof space – something that can be problematic.

Water needs to be able to run freely into the drains, and therefore it is imperative that your gutters are always clear. If your gutters are blocked and water builds up in them, the weight of this water (particularly if it freezes in cold temperatures) can cause the gutters to collapse or give way.

In addition, branches, leaves and other debris can land on your roof on particularly windy or stormy days. Anything covering your roof can be a hazard to the system and lead to potential damage such as punctures to the roof membrane, leaks and, in a worst case scenario, flooding. It’s always a good idea to trim back any trees that hang over your roof or ones that are particularly close, to prevent branches from falling onto the roof.

Invest in necessary roof repairs

Following a roof inspection, repairs may need to be carried out on your roof. The type and extent of the repairs depend on the severity of your roof’s condition. If any issues or potential problems are spotted during the inspection, the inspector will take notes of these to base their estimation on. Following this, you will receive an estimation. This will include the cost of labour, material and equipment.

Once you have received your estimate, make sure that you read through it thoroughly to ensure that you understand the repairs that need to be carried out. Following this, a call or meeting will be set up to discuss your roof estimate and to begin the repairs as soon as possible.

Ronald G Graham Roofing and Building: The Commercial Roofing Specialists

At Ronald G Graham Roofing, we understand that the weather is unpredictable in the UK and therefore the importance of preparing your roof for all weather conditions. We are proud to offer a range of roofing services in Edinburgh, Scotland and wider the UK for both domestic and commercial clients. With over 35 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and unbeatable reputation in the area. Whether it’s a commercial roof repair or a full new roofing project. If you are looking for reliable and reputable local roofers, you needn’t look further than us.

Our Edinburgh roofers qualified and experienced team are able to deal with projects of all sizes and we carry the best products from manufacturers, such as Proteus, Sika, Garland and many other manufacturers, across the UK and the world. Whether you require standard roofing or are looking for a tailor-made design, our team of roofers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide you with the roofing services that you need.

In addition to Edinburgh roofing services, we also offer additional building services, including interior work. For more information about what we do, simply visit our website or get in touch with us today on 0131 555 5121 to arrange for a free no-obligation quotation with our fantastic roof estimators.

Ronald G Graham Roofing provides the best commercial and residential roofing services throughout Edinburgh. Get a free inspection by calling today.