What Should You Do If RAAC Concrete Is Found In Your Roof?

Daniel Bracewell • 26 June 2024

Over the past year, discussions about RAAC tiles and roofs have increased and intensified, and generally any homeowner with a concrete flat roof made between the 1950s and 1990s should get in touch with specialists to investigate whether the roof is made from the material.

RAAC, short for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, has been a major concern, as it has been found in schools, hospitals and theatres, and is such a concern that the UK government has been funding its removal over the past year from schools and hospitals.

It is made with a mix of cement, ash, fine sand, lime and gypsum, followed by water and aluminium powder, which creates a distinctive bubbled texture.

It became very popular because it was a very lightweight yet strong material with excellent fire-resistant properties, which made RAAC very useful as a roofing material.

The worry about RAAC is not only that it has a shorter lifespan than conventional concrete, but that it has the potential to fail without warning, which typically manifests in collapsed roofing tiles.

Also, because it is inherently porous due to the bubbles throughout, it could potentially weaken the wire fabric or rebar used to reinforce it.

Generally, RAAC concrete can be identified by v-shaped grooves on the surface of the roof, but it can also be spotted through issues with ponding water on the roof affecting its ability to channel water away, sagging or cracking at the edges of panels.

Any of these signs are exceptionally concerning signs and a qualified flat roof expert should be contacted. Whilst not all RAAC tiles contain asbestos, there have been cases where both have been found at the same time and given the risks of asbestosis, the tiles need to be removed carefully and replaced with a modern flat roof.

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Why Spring Is An Ideal Time To Replace The Garage Roof

by Daniel Bracewell • 9 February 2026

With winter now nearing its end, now is a good time to start planning garage roof replacement work as the weather starts to get warmer, drier and lighter.

How Can Ice Dams Damage A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 20 January 2026

With 2026 starting with a burst of cold, wintry weather in the north of England, now is a good time to consider what damage snow and sub-zero temperatures can cause to your flat roofing in Manchester . One potential risk is the formation of ice dams – but what are ice dams, how do they cause damage and what can you do to prevent them? What are ice dams? As their name suggests, ice dams are areas of ice that prevent melted snow and ice flowing off of a roof. They form when the warmth from inside your home hits the roof, melting the snow and ice that has settled on the flat roof. This water then runs off the roof, but if temperatures are still below freezing, as it reaches the colder edges, it can re-freeze, creating a dam. These ice walls hold pooled water on the roof, rather than letting it escape – and it’s this that can cause the damage. On flat roofs, ice dams can also form around depressions in the roof – in other words anywhere that water can sit, you could end up with a pool that is unable to drain. They cause damage because standing water on your roof can seep into the underlying structure if there are any cracks or signs of damage in your roofing material. When ice dams form at the edges of roofs, they can also lead to damp penetrating walls if the pools of melted snow last long enough. How can you prevent ice dams from forming? The best way to prevent ice dams is to ensure that your roof is properly insulated. This will prevent the heat from your home melting the snow that’s accumulated on your flat roof while the outside temperature is still below freezing. Keeping your gutters and drainage channels clear is also essential. This helps to ensure that any snow that does melt has somewhere to go and can safely leave your flat roof. It’s one of the reasons why cleaning your gutters in the autumn is a good idea.

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.