Get Your Flat Roof Ready For Autumn

Daniel Bracewell • 26 October 2021

Now the autumn equinox has come and gone, it is officially autumn and, though September has been a mild and often sunny month, the weather will inevitably turn.

This will come from generally colder, frostier temperatures, more wind and storms, plus the effects of falling leaves. All this can affect your flat roof, making now a very important time to check it over.

Carrying out autumn checks is not the same as a big repair job; you don’t need to change everything unless there really is a big problem that you haven’t had addressed yet. But as every bit of flat roofing in Manchester is set to face the same traditional cold and wet weather, it is important to check things are in good shape so you won’t need a major overhaul a few months from now.

A key issue is that of falling leaves. These can clog up guttering, damage pipes and cause overflows on wet days. This sort of build up is only likely, however, if you haven’t cleaned away debris that is already there. However, it is a wise idea to check more than once over the course of the season as the volume of falling leaf matter builds up.

The other thing to do is check the condition of the roof itself. Look for cracks, splits and tears, while sealants and flashing should also be secure. If there are any shortcomings in these areas, you will probably have got away with it during the summer. However, over the course of autumn and winter these will get worse and lead to more damage, so fixing them now saves a bigger repair job later.

As with so much property maintenance, getting small issues tackled now is a wise move that will avoid lots of winter misery and ensure your flat roof is still in good condition when spring arrives.

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Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.