Overview – How Heavy Snow Damages Roofs

How snow and ice stress different roof types

• Tiled and slated roofs (most common around Milton Keynes)
  • Freeze-thaw cycles can crack tiles and slates.
  • Wind-driven snow can lift ridge and hip mortar or loosen clips.
  • Ice dams at the eaves force water beneath tiles and into the underlay and loft.
• Flat roofs (felt, EPDM rubber, GRP or fibreglass)
  • Ponded water that freezes can split seams and laminates.
  • Ice expansion can crack ageing felt or brittle GRP topcoats.
  • Snow load can stress decks and perimeter details.
• Gutters, fascias, soffits
  • Heavy icicles and compacted snow pull gutters out of alignment.
  • Blocked outlets back water up into eaves and wall cavities.

Signs you might need urgent attention

• Drips or stains on upstairs ceilings, especially at external walls.
• Damp smells, visible frost, or beads of water in the loft.
• Daylight visible through the roof covering (missing or slipped tiles).
• Buckled, sagging or detached gutters and fascias.
• Splits or blisters on flat roof surfaces.

Need help now? Call 07311091804 for fast local assistance.

Is It Safe? First 7 Things To Do After Snowfall

Your safety comes first. Please do not climb on a snowy or icy roof.

• Check indoors for leaks: Move valuables away from drips, place buckets, and puncture bulges in wet ceilings with a screwdriver to relieve water safely (place a container below).
• Isolate electrics if needed: If water is near fittings, turn off the circuit and call an electrician.
• Do not chip ice from roof coverings: You could cause damage and injury.
• Avoid salts or chemicals on roofs: They corrode metals and harm landscaping.
• From the ground, look for obvious issues: Missing tiles, slipped ridge tiles, crooked gutters.
• In the loft: Check for wet insulation, dark patches on underlay, and active drips.
• Call a professional roofer for a safe assessment and emergency make-safe.

If you have an urgent leak in Milton Keynes or nearby, we aim for same-day or next-day attendance. Call 07311091804.

Common Post-Snowfall Roof Problems We See Locally

Local patterns after snow events

• Ice damming at eaves and valleys
  • Water backs up beneath tiles or slates and leaks at ceiling edges.
  • Often linked to inadequate loft insulation or ventilation.
• Slipped or fractured tiles or slates
  • Freeze-thaw and wind uplift loosen fixings and clips.
• Ridge and hip failures
  • Older mortar beds crack; ridge tiles may lift or displace.
• Lead flashing splits
  • Thermal movement stresses old lead at chimneys and abutments.
• Flat roof splits and open seams
  • Especially on ageing felt or poorly detailed GRP or EPDM edges.
• Gutter and downpipe damage
  • Snow and ice weight twists brackets; joints can spring leaks.

Typical materials we repair or replace

• Pitched: Clay tiles, concrete tiles, natural slate, fibre-cement slate, ridges and hips.
• Flat: EPDM rubber, GRP or fibreglass, torch-on felt (RBM), liquid systems.
• Ancillaries: Lead flashings, eaves trays, breathable membranes, fascias and soffits, gutters and downpipes.

Quick Self-Checks From Ground Level and Loft

From the ground (binoculars help)

• Tiles or slates: Look for gaps, slipped courses, or a patchwork appearance.
• Ridges and hips: Are they straight and fully seated?
• Gutters: Aligned correctly, no sags, no leaks during thaw.
• Chimney: Missing mortar, loose pots, or flashing lifting.

In the loft

• Use a torch and stick to safe walk boards if available.
• Look for damp underlay, water trails on rafters, and wet insulation.
• Check for daylight where there should not be any.
• Sniff for damp, musty odours – it often precedes visible staining.
• If you see active drips, place trays and call a roofer.

If in doubt, stop and call a professional. Call 07311091804.

Our Professional Repair Process

How Maxwells Roofing gets you watertight, fast

1. Rapid assessment
   • Visual exterior survey and safe roof access (weather permitting).
   • Internal inspection of loft and ceiling areas for moisture paths.
   • Photos and a clear explanation of issues and risk level.
2. Immediate make-safe (if required)
   • Temporary coverings, emergency sealing, or isolation of affected zones.
   • Debris clearance to prevent further damage.
3. Detailed quotation
   • Fixed, transparent pricing – no hidden extras.
   • Options explained (repair vs replacement of affected sections).
   • Materials specified to suit your roof type and budget.
4. Planned repair works
   • Pitched roofs: Replace damaged tiles or slates, renew ridges or hips to modern dry-fix systems where appropriate, install eaves protection and breathable membranes, re-fix battens if required, renew lead flashings to lead sheet code.
   • Flat roofs: Localised patching where viable, or sectional re-lay using EPDM, GRP or high-performance felt systems; reinstate edge trims and outlets, and improve falls where feasible.
   • Roofline and gutters: Re-align or replace sections, add leaf guards if beneficial.
5. Quality, compliance and clean-up
   • Work supervised by owner Luke Maxwell for quality control.
   • Waste removed and site left tidy.

Typical timelines

• Emergency make-safe: Same day or next day (subject to weather and workload).
• Minor repairs: Often within 24-72 hours.
• Larger or sectional re-roof works: Scheduled promptly, weather-dependent.

Call 07311091804 for immediate help.

Building Regulations and Compliance for Snow-Related Repairs

We repair to UK standards and advise when Building Control is required.

When is Building Control notification needed?

• If refurbishing or replacing more than 25% of the roof covering.
• Structural changes, significant insulation upgrades, or rooflight additions.
• Solar installations and certain conversions.

What we do

• We will advise if your repair scope triggers Building Control and help coordinate inspections with the local authority (or via a Competent Person Scheme where applicable for the work type).
• We specify materials and methods in line with relevant Approved Documents.

Relevant Approved Documents (summary)

• Part A: Structure – Ensure the roof remains structurally sound under snow loads; assess supporting timbers if heavier coverings are proposed.
• Part B: Fire safety – Use compliant coverings; maintain fire performance for flat roofs (for example BROOF(t4) rated systems); ensure proper fire stopping at party walls.
• Part C: Resistance to moisture – Detail eaves, valleys, flashings and membranes to prevent rain and meltwater ingress; manage condensation.
• Part F: Ventilation – Provide adequate roof ventilation; avoid ice-dam risk by controlling warm air escape into lofts.
• Part L: Conservation of fuel and power – If more than 25% of the covering is replaced, insulation will usually need upgrading to current standards.

We source materials from reputable suppliers and follow manufacturer instructions for a compliant, durable repair.

Insurance, Warranties and Documentation

Making claims and protecting your repair

• Insurance claims
  • We provide inspection reports and photos to support your insurer.
  • Temporary make-safe is often authorised quickly; we will cooperate with loss adjusters.
• Warranties
  • Product warranties in line with manufacturer terms for selected systems.
  • Our workmanship guarantee for completed repair work – details in your quote.
• Documentation you receive
  • Written quote and scope of works.
  • Photos before and after.
  • Warranty and maintenance guidance.
  • Building Control sign-off if applicable.

Have a question about a claim? Call 07311091804.

Prevention – Reduce Future Snow and Ice Damage

Practical steps to lower risk next time

• Improve loft insulation and air-tightness – Helps prevent heat loss that causes ice dams. Combine with proper ventilation.
• Ensure adequate roof ventilation – Soffit vents, ridge vents and clear pathways prevent condensation and melt-back.
• Upgrade vulnerable details – Dry-fix ridges and hips, improved eaves protection (eaves trays), modern breathable membranes.
• Maintain gutters and downpipes – Winter servicing keeps meltwater moving; consider leaf guards in leafy areas.
• Flat roof upgrades – Replace ageing felt or GRP with modern high-performance systems; ensure correct falls and outlets.
• Strategic snow guards or eaves protection – For suitable pitched roofs, snow guards can help control slippage in specific locations.

Ask about a pre-winter roof health check. 07311091804.

Why Choose Maxwells Roofing

• Excellent reputation – 80+ 5-star reviews on Checkatrade and only 5-star reviews on Google Business.
• Local expertise – Experience with Milton Keynes weather patterns and property styles.
• Fast response – Same-day or next-day emergency attendance where possible.
• Transparent pricing – Clear quotes and honest advice on repair vs replacement.
• Fully insured and qualified – Work completed to industry best practice; owner oversight on every job.
• Full service area – Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Luton, Stony Stratford, Newport Pagnell, Bletchley, Great Linford, Bradwell and all nearby villages and estates.

Talk to a local expert today: 07311091804 or sales@miltonkeynesroofing.uk

FAQs – Roof Repairs After Snowfall

Q1: Can you remove snow or ice dams from my roof?

A: We can safely make-safe, clear blockages at gutters and outlets, and address the root causes. We do not recommend homeowners remove roof snow themselves. Ice dam issues are best solved by improving insulation, ventilation and eaves detailing.

Q2: Will a few missing tiles cause a leak?

A: In snow and thaw cycles, even one missing or slipped tile can let driven meltwater in. It is best to repair immediately to prevent further damage.

Q3: My flat roof leaked after the freeze – can it be patched?

A: Sometimes. If the membrane is generally sound, we can patch or seal seams. If the surface is brittle or has multiple splits, a sectional re-cover or full overlay or replacement is more reliable.

Q4: Do snow-related repairs need Building Control?

A: Minor like-for-like repairs typically do not. If more than 25% of the covering is replaced, or if structure or insulation changes are made, Building Control is usually required – we will advise and help.

Q5: How quickly can you attend in Milton Keynes?

A: For urgent leaks, we aim for same-day or next-day response, weather permitting.

Q6: What is the safest DIY action if a leak starts after snow?

A: Protect belongings, contain water with buckets, relieve bulges in wet ceilings safely, and call a roofer. Avoid going on the roof or using salts or pressure washers.

Q7: Do you work with tiled, slate, felt, EPDM and GRP roofs?

A: Yes – our team is experienced across all major pitched and flat roofing systems.

Q8: Can you provide photos for my insurance?

A: Absolutely. We can supply inspection notes and before or after photos to support your claim.

Request a Free Quote

If snow or ice has damaged your roof, we are ready to help with a safe assessment, clear pricing and high-quality repairs.

Call: 07311091804
Email: sales@miltonkeynesroofing.uk
Maxwells Roofing – Milton Keynes and surrounding areas

While you are here, you may also find these services helpful for winter resilience and long-term protection: Emergency Roofing, Roof Repairs, Flat Roof Systems, Gutter Maintenance, and Roof Inspections.