A flat roof can need repairs for many reasons, often through nothing more than sheer wear and tear if it has gone many years without much maintenance. But sometimes, the damage is a sudden thing rather than gradual.

Now we are well into autumn and winter is fast approaching, the likelihood of storms is ever greater. Often these hit the UK as the remnants of hurricanes drifting across the Atlantic. Usually, they have lost much of their strength (apart from exceptions like the ‘Great Storm’ of 1987), but they can still make a big mess.

A winter storm won’t leave Portsmouth looking like Tampa Bay in the wake of Hurricane Milton, but there can certainly be some damage done, which can include a flat roof being damaged from above by falling debris like branches or masonry.

Damage can take different forms. The worst thing can be if holes are gouged, which means every time it rains there will be water seeping in and causing all kinds of issues from damp and wet rot through to water pouring through into a room below. Even if the roof is over a garage or porch, that can still be very unpleasant and disruptive.

In such instances, the effects of the damage are obvious and so will be the need to get repairs carried out urgently. However, sometimes it is not so immediately apparent that there is a problem.

Smaller scale damage may not lead to huge gushing leaks, but it can leave smaller cracks that water can seep into. As well as the effects of water ingress, it can also encourage freeze-thaw, prising cracks open wider in winter.

Fallen debris can also block up drainage systems, which leads to more water overflow and potentially pooling on top, which will weigh down the roof and do further damage.

It is because of these extra perils that if you experience a big storm, it is important to check for any damage to your flat roof, even if it isn’t immediately evident.