It is important to keep your flat roof well-looked after throughout the year, but never more so than during autumn when dead leaves and falling debris can cause damage. 

Homes near tall trees are particularly vulnerable over the colder months, as leaves, twigs, conkers and acorns can all land on roofs and, unless, they are cleared, can begin to block up the guttering. 

This is why it is important that the guttering is regularly cleared so that a backlog of debris does not prevent water from flowin down to the ground. If this happens, the rainwater will accumulate on the top of the roof and cause little pools. 

Ponding water, as it is known, can then result in leaks through the roof into the building, risking the integrity of the ceiling. 

What’s more, if the temperature drastically drops, ponding water can freeze. This could be a risk that many homeowners experience sooner rather than later, after the Met Office has predicted temperatures are about to plummet. 

Once frozen water then thaws, this can result in splitting along the membrane joints in the roof, resulting in more leaks in the future. 

Therefore, one of the most important ‘jobs’ to do during the autumn and winter is to use gutter cleaning services. This will ensure the pipes are completely clear of leaves or other things, so rainwater can easily escape from the roof, and there is reduced risk of ponding water. 

Should you still encounter problems, you might consider extra gutters to drain the excess water. Lower areas of the roof, or parts that have sunken, can also be built up to prevent water from collecting there.

For more information, contact our flat roof specialists in Manchester today.