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Common Flat Roof Problems
Even though most would name leaking as the most common flat roof problem, other issues can develop on a flat roof that may eventually cause leaking as well as structural damage. Below are some common issues that need to be fixed to maintain the integrity of your flat roof.
Leaking Flat Roof
Unfortunately, leaks are very common problems in homes, schools, warehouses, and commercial buildings. However, there are a lot of issues that can cause a leaking roof. Whatever the cause is, leaking roofs can damage equipment or merchandise, cause mold to grow inside the structure, and lead to slip and fall accidents inside your building.
Leaks are an all-too-common occurrence in buildings with flat roofs. This is mostly because flat roofs tend to lose their ability to effectively shed water if not properly maintained. Once moisture is unable to drain from the roof, it’s just a matter of time before it finds its way into the building. Though roof leaks may seem harmless enough, they can lead to much bigger problems down the road if not addressed promptly and accordingly.
Exposure
Exposure is essentially the root of all flat roof problems. Since a building’s roof is constantly exposed to the sun and other elements, damage from the outside world is inevitable. No roofing material, no matter how durable, can last forever. Common flat roof issues include over-exposure to the sun, lightning strikes, freezing, hail, and wind damage or wind-driven debris. There are even less common exposure issues such as oil damage in restaurants or exposure from outside pollutants and chemicals.
Ponding Water
Flat roofs do not always provide the proper drainage for precipitation to run-off. Most flat roofs are constructed with a slight slope in order to allow for said drainage, but the lack of a natural slope can sometimes create problems. As a result, the water from precipitation collects in standing ponds on the roof. The weight of the ponding water will eventually cause the roof to sag and could even become a leak. The term “flat roofs” is a bit of a misnomer, as they are typically constructed with a slight slope to allow for water drainage. However, the roofing materials break down over time after being constantly exposed to a harsh environment. This problem and poorly functioning drainage systems may cause standing water on the roof. The pressure exerted from the ponding water will eventually cause the roof to sag. This moisture damage may even affect the structural integrity of the building
Buckling
Trapped moisture under the asphalt membrane will cause blistering. However, as buildings shift and settle, the asphalt membrane on top of your flat roof may begin to buckle. Cracks will then form on what was once a waterproof membrane.
Loose Flashing
The pieces of metal strips that are installed around vents, chimneys, and skylights are called flashing. Flashing is meant to prevent leaks. However, as the roof material expands and contracts with changing weather and temperatures, the flashing sometimes pulls away from the edges and corners of the flat roof.
Punctures/Splits/Tears
Flat roofs are prone to punctures or tears from storm damage. This is why roof inspections are especially important after a major weather event has occurred. Pedestrian foot traffic can also cause punctures, but restoration systems that incorporate proper walk paths can help avoid this problem.
Debris
Debris on a roof is any loose material or refuse such as leaves, tree limbs, dirt/mud, dust, or even trash from human presence. Any roof will have a small amount of debris on it at any given time due to natural wear-and-tear and exposure to the elements, but too much debris build-up can potentially clog drains and cause irreparable damage especially on flat roofs that lack a natural slope for drainage. To ensure a flat roofs drain correctly (or to ensure that a fluid-applied restoration system can be installed properly), debris can be removed by pick up, leaf-blowing, or pressure-washing.
Biological Growth
Growth can form in any stagnant body of water. When ponding water on a flat roof is stagnant for long periods of time, vegetation and algae can form. A dirty roof will be less reflective and ultimately impact both the interior and exterior temperatures of the building. Regular cleaning is a must for roofs at risk of ponding water and signs of biological growth should be monitored during a commercial roof inspection.
Blistering
Blistering and other surface defects, such as “alligatoring,” are very common on flat roofs. Alligatoring refers to a flat roof membrane that has deteriorated to the point that it literally looks like alligator skin. Most surface defects are usually caused by over-exposure to the sun or saturated insulation.
Shrinkage
Shrinkage occurs on flat roofs made from synthetic rubber membranes. It causes seams to delaminate and pull apart eventually allowing small openings to form in the roof surface. Though EPDM is a popular choice in the construction of flat roofs due to its durability, all EPDM roofs will eventually experience shrinkage. Natural shrinkage can also be inadvertently accelerated by errors in the manufacturing or installation of the roof membrane.
Neglecting Maintenance
Perhaps the single biggest cause of premature roof failure is forgetting to perform routine maintenance. All of the above-mentioned flat roof problems are easily preventable with a routine maintenance plan and commercial roof inspections.
Conclusion
If your flat roof constantly leaks or suffers from any of the other problems mentioned above, schedule a roof inspection as soon as possible.
