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Top Tips to Prepare Flat Roofs and Gutters for Winter

Top Tips to Prepare Flat Roofs and Gutters for Winter

The winter months can be hard on flat roofs and gutters, and it is common for homeowners to suffer damp, leaks and other problems at this time of the year. Many issues can often be prevented and now is the time to make sure that your flat roofs and gutters are prepared for the worst.

As flat roofing experts, we’re here to help with some top tips to guide you through. We’ll highlight some of the biggest giveaways of potential issues and how to tackle them before they become problems.

Assessing your flat roof

It is a good idea to keep an eye on your flat roofs and gutters throughout the year, especially if they are old, as some types of materials wear more quickly than others. But if you don’t inspect them at any other time, take a good look now, before the weather makes any repairs or attention more difficult.

First, if you can, assess the roofing and gutter from above, from an upstairs window. Look for potential problems areas and pay closer attention to seams and edges or around any extrusions or skylights:

Bubbles or cracks in the covering
Raised or uneven areas in the waterproofing
Ponding water
Visible damage
Lifting of flashing
Clogging in gutters or drain outlets
Holes in gutter troughs

Then, from inside the building, inspect again. Open cupboards, look around the windows and across the ceiling and walls to look for:

Visible signs of water leaks – damp patches, beads of water etc
Condensation around the windows
A damp or musty smell
Mould patches or black areas

What to do if you find any issues

Visible signs of a leak

Consider safety at all times and call in a professional at this point to carry out the assessment and works if you’re not a confident DIYer.

It is important to address any issues straightaway, especially if you find visible signs of a leak. This could mean that the leak has been going on for a while and is causing damage to timbers somewhere. Your next move will be to locate the exact spot in the roofing material and assess the repair. It may be obvious from your initial visual inspection where the problem lies but pinpointing it can really only be done from the roof deck.

Spots and cracks

Some types of damage – a spot or a crack – may just need a simple patch repair and others may need a bit more work. Finding and assessing both the damaged material and the roof deck should tell you all you need to know.

Roof deck and timber damage

Ponding or standing water is a good indication that there is a problem somewhere underneath the waterproofing. If there is damage to the flat roof deck or timbers, this will need to be repaired first. Carry out a temporary repair with a liquid rubber solution in the meantime or cover the area to prevent further damage until you can replace any timbers.

Damage at the seams

Lifted flashing at the seams is an indication that the waterproofing system is failing. These are vulnerable parts of any system, being the points where roofing sheets are joined and most susceptible to water ingress. If it is simply a split or small section in rubber membrane, for example, seam tape can provide an easy fix. Some other types of waterproofing can be more complex to repair, such as bitumen, and these may need professional services.

Multiple damaged areas

If the waterproofing is old, damaged or worn in multiple places, or you’ve repeatedly repaired it for years, it may be time to replace the covering altogether with a more modern alternative. Today, materials like EPDM offer much more reliability and longevity than their traditional counterparts and are easily and quickly installed. For DIY, rubber roof kits provide an excellent solution.

Gutter damage – it is surprising how much of an issue gutter damage can be for homeowners. Gutters are designed to keep water out of the house and away from the roof timbers, so when they don’t work effectively, things can quickly go wrong.

Clogging is extremely common in the UK, especially at this time of year, when leaves can fill up a gutter in a single day. Keeping gutters clear of leaves and other debris is crucial to the health of your flat roof. Clear them out and install a leaf guard or gutter brush to keep them out of your gutter and drainage system.

Holes in gutters are a little more complex to deal with, but really shouldn’t be left. They can lead to damp issues and damage to brickwork as well as timbers over time. Replace or repair the damaged section as soon as you can. If you have multiple areas of damage, which can be common in metal gutters, they can be refurbished today with a gutter liner, which can offer a second life to metal guttering and save time, money and landfill waste.

How we can help

We offer our customers expert advice over the phone, via email or live chat and are happy to chat through any issues you might be having with your flat roof or gutters. We provide a range of products and innovations that can help you prepare your flat roof and gutters and keep your homes cosy and leak free all winter.