With people in the market for flat roofs increasingly interested in a platform that could support a green roof, here is the potential future of sustainability.

Finding the right time to arrange an installation or replacement with a flat roof specialist is hard, but some factors make certain times better than others.

Some may joke about Manchester having a wet climate, but the almost incessant rain around these parts has been less out of the ordinary than in other parts of Britain, while the last 18 months have been the wettest on record across England. Notwithstanding the El Nino effect currently impacting global weather, which is a regular and natural cycle, the expectation is that this is part of a new normal, especially as the last year has brought record worldwide temperatures every month. In this warmer climate model, winters will be wetter and summers drier . If you have flat roofing , you may wonder how this may fit with such a change, not least as some might think the lack of a sloping roof for rain to run off is a bad idea to start with. However, with the right maintenance in place, you may find such a roof is actually suited to a warmer climate. What you will certainly need is good drainage , with a flat roof drainage system that has the capacity to deal with a lot of rain. Key features should be having two outlets in case one gets blocked. Not only will this stop large pools of water from forming, but it will also help protect against ice damage in winter (although a warmer climate will mean less freezing and less snow, this will still happen sometimes). You may also need more regular maintenance because winters will bring more storms, so the dangers of damage caused by flying and falling debris will be greater. This may also increase the risk of drainage system blockages. However, it is not all about handling bad weather news. There may be some upsides you can enjoy too. Hotter and drier summers create an opportunity to make your roof into an area you can enjoy spending time out on, rather like an apartment balcony. It will need to be sturdy enough to take your weight and that of the furniture. At the same time, you will need to bear in mind there will be more wear and tear if feet and furnishings are on it regularly.

It is essential to call flat roof specialists to clean your gutters and remove all the winter debris, so you can sit in your garden and truly relax in spring.

At the first sight of sunshine and blue skies, Brits start to get excited about spring when they can enjoy being in their garden more and feeling closer to nature. That is why now is the time many homeowners think about sprucing up their flowerbeds and raking the dead leaves up so their house and garden look their best for the sunnier weather. For those who have flat roofs, there are some essential maintenance jobs to see to before spring is finally here. For a start, it is worth waiting for a clear day and going to check the roof thoroughly. You will need to know whether the gutters are full, the flashing is damaged, or if there is any moss or algae growth. Anything that needs attention should get sorted straight away, such as clearing the gutters, getting flat roof repairs , or removing any mould or debris. A lot of damage can be caused to the roof over winter, particularly if there are overhanging trees nearby, so it is essential to fix this so you can spend the warmer months enjoying being in the garden. It is also important to check for leaks, as any damage to the roof could result in rainwater seeping through to the inside of the house. What’s more, if the gutters are full, they have not been draining the water efficiently, which could create pooling on the roof and result in leaks. Although we might like to think springtime will be full of warm sunny days, the reality is there are often heavy showers during April, so fixing any potential leaks now could be beneficial for those rainy days to come. Once you have attended to these jobs and made any necessary repairs, you can start working on making your garden look beautiful for the season.

If you have flat roofing in Manchester, you may want to set it up so you can grow plants on it, especially if you don’t have your own garden down below.

The old phrase ‘fix the roof when the sun is shining’ is not always apt. Sometimes the sun can seem very bright on a winter’s day, especially when there is lots of reflective snow lying around. At this time, a flat roof can be covered in the stuff and with the recent wintry weather hitting the north of England hard, many will wonder what the effects of heavy snow might be on such a roof. There are a couple of real problems to consider . Firstly, while pitched roofs won’t hold a lot of snow as it slides off, it can pile up and weigh down a flat roof, damaging the structure. This may not mean collapse, but even small cracks can be a problem, as these may widen through the freeze-thaw effect and also allow more water to seep through, causing rot and other kinds of water damage, including to items stored in the space below. The weight of snow alone can be made worse by the second issue; when snow melts, it has nowhere to go. The weight of the pooled water is still a problem and can cause sagging, which in turn encourages it all to pool in one area of the roof. If it re-freezes overnight, that adds to the freeze-thaw effect. Of course, you can take action yourself (or bring in a professional to help) by clearing the snow and ice off the roof, as well as making sure the gutters are cleared to help improve drainage. However, if it is too late to stop the damage you may need work doing. We are now in the time of year when snow is most likely. For all that people romanticise the idea of a White Christmas, January and February are the snowiest months. That means between now and March is the time to pay the most attention to your flat roof and get some repairs booked if necessary.

There are a growing number of cases where a flat roof can be the ideal solution for your home, office or industrial building, particularly given the cost savings on materials, the options for rooftop storage, efficient installation and easy maintenance in the hands of specialists . However, there are some well-worn assumptions about flat roofs that are either anachronistic or outright mythical, and with that in mind here are some of the biggest and most important myths to debunk and fact-check. Flat Roofs Are Not Actually Flat Contrary to popular belief, flat roofs are legally required to have a slight incline, with building regulations mandating a slight incline that is not entirely noticeable when you stand on it but could be noticed if you placed a marble or a ball on the roof. The reason for this, and the counterargument to claims that flat roofs are completely flat, is that the incline is designed to facilitate drainage. Water flows down the incline to the gutters and drains at the end. Flat Roofs Do Not Leak More A similar claim, linked to the first, is that flat roofs leak more than pitched ones because water pools on the surface and over time this erodes the roofing material or causes sags in the flat roof surface. Neither is the case with a well-made and well-maintained roof. The incline mentioned above prevents standing water, waterproofing materials are highly sophisticated, installed in one piece and long-lasting, and this neglects the fact that any type of roof that isn’t looked after can be prone to leaks. Flat Roofs Can Be Thermally Efficient Because of the lack of a loft cavity, there is a belief that flat roofs are less insulated and thus more prone to issues caused by escaping heat. In reality, flat roofs are fitted with multiple layers of insulation, air barriers and roof membranes that add much greater thermal efficiency than one might expect.

Homeowners should ensure their flashing is in good condition, particularly if they have flat roofs, as it protects against rainwater seeping into the house.