We all know about the damage that winter and snowfall can do to our roof, but did you know that heavy rainfall can also be devastating? Here, our professional roofers in Darlington explain 7 ways in which rain can affect the integrity of your roof.

Broken tiles

The tiles on your roof are the first layer of protection against the elements. Sometimes tiles can have protected your home for decades. Heavy rain over time can erode your tiles and cause them to break, exploiting any weakness which has developed due to being old. When this happens, water can seep into your roof and begin to cause a whole host of damage.

Loose tiles

In addition to causing cracks or breakage on your tiles, heavy rain might also loosen your tiles and cause them to fall off completely. Similarly, this will cause bare spots on your roof that allows water to freely run into your home and cause extensive water damage.

Stagnant water

Many roofs are pitched at an angle to allow for water to easily run off and into the guttering. In fact, even flat roofs can be angled up to 10° to facilitate efficient drainage. However, if your roof is failing to direct water away from your building, this might lead to stagnant water.

If water stands on your roof for long periods of time, this can cause this section of your roof to wear away. It might also begin to play home to wildlife, plants, and nasty green algae.

Wood rot

Once water has managed to penetrate through your tiles, it can begin to saturate the roof joints and the wooden structure of your roofing system. Continues exposure to moisture creates the ideal conditions for wood to rot.

Mould and mildew

Water inside your roof can also lead to mould and mildew in the rafters and your attic space. Not only does this smell bad, but it can begin to seep into the rest of the house, causing a lot of damage and potential health issues.

Damaged guttering

Your guttering and the roofline products that carry its weight can get a hammering during times of heavy rainfall. The guttering is one of the most essential parts of a roof, collecting water in the trough and channelling it to the ground away from the foundations.

Therefore, if guttering gets damaged, water will have no choice but to run down your exterior walls and collect around the foundations of your home. Over time, this can cause extensive structural damage to your whole house.

Freeze-thaw

It is not just the rain itself that can damage your roof, but also the way that the water acts when it affected by the other elements. In times of cold weather, frozen rainwater can crack your roof tiles through a process known as freeze-thaw.

If ever in doubt, give Vantage a shout!

When you are worried how heavy rainfall might have affected your roof recently or in the past, get in touch with Vantage Roofing & Building to speak to our expert roofers Darlington. We will conduct a full roof MOT to assess any damage and carry out any maintenance or repairs necessary. Please call 0191 497 8980.