Homeowners in Havant, Hampshire are no strangers to strong winds and stormy weather. While roofs are designed to withstand the elements, many people are surprised when tiles suddenly slip, crack or fall during or immediately after a storm. In most cases, the weather isn’t the root cause — it simply exposes underlying issues that have been developing for some time.
Understanding why storms trigger sudden tile loss can help you address problems early and protect your home more effectively.
Storm Winds Expose Weak Fixings
The fixings that hold roof tiles in place naturally weaken with age. Nails corrode, battens deteriorate, and older tiles can become less secure over time.
When storm winds strike:
- Loose tiles lift easily
- Worn fixings give way
- Movement spreads across surrounding tiles
High winds act like a lever, tugging at areas already weakened. A tile that has shifted slightly for months may finally detach under sudden pressure.
Driving Rain Reaches Areas Normally Protected
Cracks or gaps that go unnoticed in calm weather are quickly exploited during a storm.
Driving rain can:
- Work its way under tiles
- Add weight and pressure to already-loose sections
- Wash away debris that was previously holding tiles in place
Once moisture reaches the underfelt or battens, even a mildly compromised tile can lose its hold entirely.
Sudden Gusts Create Uplift Forces
Storms often bring rapid, unpredictable gusts rather than a steady wind. These gusts create strong upward pressure known as “uplift”.
This uplift can:
- Break the bond between tiles and fixings
- Cause rows of tiles to shift at once
- Pull weakened tiles free without warning
If the roof already has small vulnerabilities, uplift can turn a minor issue into sudden, visible damage.
Older Roofs Are Less Resilient to Storm Events
Roofs naturally weaken over time due to weathering.
Ageing roofs often have:
- Brittle tiles
- Failing mortar
- Deteriorated underfelt
- Movement in the structure beneath
Storms don’t cause this deterioration — they simply reveal it. This is why older roofs tend to lose tiles suddenly during severe weather, even if there were no obvious issues beforehand.
Poor Ventilation and Heat Movement Increase Tile Loosening
Roofs that expand and contract excessively due to heat imbalance or poor ventilation can suffer from gradual loosening of tiles.
Storms then:
- Exploit tiny gaps created by movement
- Lift tiles that were already sitting imperfectly
- Cause rows or edges to fail more easily
Consistent ventilation and proper insulation help reduce this internal stress on the roof.
Storms Highlight Problems You Can’t See From Ground Level
Many of the weaknesses storms exploit are invisible from below.
These may include:
- Small cracks in tiles
- Rusting nails or clips
- Soft, deteriorated battens
- Underfelt that has torn or perished
This is why tile loss can seem “sudden” — homeowners simply cannot see the slow deterioration happening underneath.
Conclusion
Sudden tile loss during storms is rarely caused by the storm alone. Instead, severe weather exposes underlying weaknesses such as aged materials, loose fixings, moisture damage, or movement in the roof structure. Addressing these issues early is the best way to prevent tiles from failing when high winds arrive.
If you’re concerned about storm damage or want peace of mind before the next weather event, Havant Roofing Repairs offers professional inspections and roof repairs throughout Havant, Hampshire. A quick assessment today could help prevent more serious problems tomorrow.
Call us on: 023 8235 7284
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