High winds put roof tiles under a lot of stress, working at the edges and undersides in a way that gentle weather simply doesn't. On properties across Lawrence Weston, this can result in tiles cracking under the strain, slipping out of their original position, or being lifted and blown off the roof completely, particularly where fixings have loosened with age.
The risk with wind-damaged tiles isn't limited to the ones that have obviously come loose. Once wind has started to lift and move tiles in one area, neighbouring tiles are often affected too, even if they're still technically in place, which is why a proper post-storm check tends to cover a wider section of roof than just the spot where damage is visible.
A cracked tile that hasn't fully dislodged can be easy to miss from ground level, but it's already a weaker point in the roof's weatherproofing, and further wind or rain can turn a hairline crack into a bigger problem fairly quickly. Left unaddressed over successive storms, small cracks like this are one of the more common ways water eventually finds its way into a loft space.
Replacing wind-damaged tiles is generally a straightforward job once the roof has been properly assessed, though matching older tiles that have weathered and faded can take a bit more care than working with newer, uniform tiling. Where multiple tiles across a wider area have been affected, it's usually more sensible to address them together rather than one at a time as further problems appear.
The type of tile fitted also affects how vulnerable a roof is to wind damage in the first place. Interlocking concrete tiles generally offer good wind resistance when properly fixed, while older clay tiles or roofs where nails have corroded over time can be more susceptible to movement in strong gusts. If your Lawrence Weston property has needed repeat tile repairs after successive storms, it may be worth asking whoever attends whether the underlying fixing method, rather than just the individual tiles, is contributing to the pattern, since in some cases a more thorough re-fixing of a vulnerable section can reduce how often this kind of damage recurs in future. It's also worth checking whether any displaced tiles landed somewhere that poses a risk to people below, such as a path, driveway or garden where children or pets might be, and clearing these safely, or at least cordoning off the area, is a sensible precaution while a proper repair is arranged. Broken tile fragments can have sharp edges, so handling them carefully, with gloves if available, is worth bearing in mind if you do need to move any yourself.
If recent high winds have left tiles cracked, slipped or missing on your Lawrence Weston roof, Brunel Roofing Bristol can carry out a free inspection and, where the damage warrants it, respond via our 24-hour emergency call-out to get things sorted before the next storm.
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