What’s causing your broken roof tiles?

Have you noticed gaps in your roofing or smashed debris around your property? It could indicate an issue with your roof tiles or slates. Missing roof tiles can play havoc with your roofing, causing structural instability and property leaks, so you must get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem.

Here are some of the main causes of broken roof tiles in the UK.

Severe weather conditions

Whether it’s rain, strong winds or hailstones damaging your roofing, UK properties take a battering throughout the year, and they can also be affected by temperature changes. Your broken tiles may simply be a case of storm damage, but it’s important to rectify the issue as soon as possible. Otherwise, it could lead to more tiles breaking off or water ingress occurring.

Moss growing on your roof tiles

Can you see moss present on your roof tiles? Growing in areas where moisture is abundant, moss can soon spread across your roof, causing a lot of problems. If it’s present around and under your roof tiles, it can distort their formation, causing weak spots. Any trapped water will also freeze and expand in the winter, cracking tiles in the process.

Overgrown trees

If you think something is hitting your roof and causing tiles to split, have you checked for overgrown trees close to your property? It may be time to trim branches back to a safer point away from your home (if the trees are on your land), especially if overhanging limbs are causing more leaves and rainwater to clog gutters and other parts of your roofing.

Animals or birds

Animals (such as rodents) and birds can actually do a lot of damage to your roof. For example, bird nests can result in significant issues developing, thanks to a backup of water and drainage issues. In fact, acidic bird droppings may even accelerate material degradation, reducing the lifespan of your roof. Rodents can also cause chaos from the inside, especially if they chew through any structures supporting your tiles.

Old roofing materials

All roofs deteriorate over time, so if you live in an older property with many roofing issues, it may be time to upgrade your tiles. This could be due to the materials degrading and weakening after all the years of stress they’ve endured, or there’s a problem with the fixings and membrane underneath.

Whatever the concern, ask a professional roofer to inspect your roof (both inside and out) to determine what’s going on. From there, you can make a plan about the most cost-effective way to ensure your roofing has longevity, whether it’s carrying out significant repairs or choosing a completely new roof.

Get reliable roof repairs with South Thames Roofing

Get in touch with South Thames Roofing for all your roof repairs. We provide reliable roofing services across Surrey and South London areas, including Chessington, Ashtead and Balham. For a free consultation and quote, get in touch today.