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Common issues with flat roofs
Properly maintaining a flat roof is essential to prevent damage to your home and keep those living under the roof safe. It’s extremely important to make sure that the roof system functions properly. As a result, flat roofs often require more roof repairs and roof replacements than other options. The most common concerns for flat roofs are leaks, water collection and debris buildup. There is also a concern for wear and tear of the roof membrane material that could potentially buckle and blister for homes with flat roofing.
What is a Flat Roof?
A flat roof is, technically, not flat. It is almost level. Its pitch or slope is very low. Flat roofs have up to a ten-degree slope. They need some slope to allow water to drain. Flat roofs have been around a long time. They were used in ancient times in arid climates. As factories, warehouses, and other large industrial structures began to appear, flat roofs became both practical and economical.
Benefits of a Low-Slope Roof
If you have a large factory, warehouse, or other industry, a flat roof may be required to cover the vast expanse. Flat roofs give you space. Gardens or rooftop patios have been built on this space. Plants provide food and aesthetics on some flat roofs. Flat roofs require less material to build. Construction and repair costs are lower because they are faster to erect and repair. Some homeowners or business owners have turned sections of their flat roofs into restaurants, patios, or working gardens. This adds more living or business space.
Flat roof spaces can provide beauty and give your building additional weather protection. Flat roofs can save money on energy bills. This is especially true in climates where seasons bring special heat and cold challenges. Sloped roofs may trap heat or allow cooled air to escape. However, a flat roof leaves less space overhead where hot or cold air can collect.
How to maintain a flat roof
Maintaining a flat roof is relatively simple. The best method for flat roof maintenance is consistency. Constantly inspecting the roof is an essential part of your maintenance plan. Regular roof inspections empower you to nip any potential issues in the bud that would otherwise become a costly and possibly dangerous issue over time.
Keep debris off the roof
Due to the structure of a flat roof, it’s common for debris to accumulate on the surface of the home. Between trees lining the street to the pollution that makes its way through the air, it’s essential to consistently collect and remove any debris that has gathered on the roof. This is particularly important to do during the colder months of the year. During the winter, it’s easy for debris to accumulate under piles of snow, causing further damage to the roof due to increased weight.
Check the drainage regularly
Despite the name, flat roofs are not actually flat. They are built at a slight angle to allow water to drain off the top of the home through a gutter system or other centralized draining system. While they have this additional feature to help with water drainage, flat roofs lag behind in the efficiency of water and snow drainage compared to traditional sloped roofs. Installing roofing products like ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a synthetic rubber roofing membrane and fiberglass can help keep the roof dry, so leaking doesn’t become a problem for your home.
Inspect for leaks and fix promptly
Keeping your flat roof clean and regularly maintaining your drainage system is only one piece of the puzzle. Make sure to consistently check the roofing material for any punctures or rips. While roofing material will vary, a tear in the roofing membrane can result in leaks. Typically, the roofing membrane of a flat roof is installed with multiple layers of your chosen roofing material for longevity, but it’s still important to thoroughly monitor the material as the roof ages over time. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your roof during the colder months. Winter damage is a common occurrence that results in leaks unless promptly fixed.
Keep unnecessary weight off the roof
A common problem that many homeowners with flat roofs neglect to consider is sinking. This is a typical problem for older roofs with materials that have weakened over time and roofs that have not been properly maintained. However, excess weight can also result in significant damage to the seal coating of your flat roof. Before bombarding the top of your home with a full outdoor renovation, make sure that you consider the weight of heavier objects, as these are likely to create depressions or ponding in the roof over time.
Remove trees/overhang promptly
In addition to being mindful of weather conditions, homeowners with flat roofs need to be cognizant of trees and other foliage that overhang the roof. While the greenery might contribute to your rooftop space, if left unchecked, it can result in serious issues in the long run. Knocked-down trees and fallen branches can cause significant damage to exposed areas of the roof and home structure, especially during extreme weather or natural disasters. Plants can also result in some critter nests that may or may not be welcome in or around your home. Moreover, overhanging plants and nature will leave a consistent buildup of dirt and other organic matter that can result in critical drainage or blockage problems. Leaves can clog your gutters, plants provide easy access for pests to nest on top of your home and numerous other serious problems should be considered.
How hard is it to maintain a flat roof, and are they expensive?
While flat roofs may require a bit more attention than traditional pitched roofs, this type of roofing system is not difficult to maintain as long as it’s kept in shape with regular maintenance and proper care. Also, climbing up onto a flat roof is easier than a traditional pitched roof, thanks to its accessible design. Flat roofs are one of the most affordable roofing options available due to the cost-efficiency and the extreme durability of flat roof installation materials, like wood, timber, steel, concrete and insulated panels. Rubber, in particular, is resistant to cracking, splitting and rotting, making for a long-lasting roofing material for flat roofs. Without a slope like those found on traditional roofs, flat roofs are usually pretty easy to install and maintain. Since flat roofs are easier to access, maintenance becomes a less tedious task. That being said, it can be beneficial to seek roofing services should you need any flat roof repairs that require expertise that extend beyond a DIY issue.
How often should you do flat roof maintenance?
It’s important to have your flat roof inspected regularly for common concerns like debris, cracks, drain issues, etc. Ideally, it’s best to inspect your flat roof every few months and, at the very least, three times a year. If your neighborhood has a lot of trees, check it even more frequently.
You should especially conduct regular checks after a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm, as well during the fall and spring seasons to prevent water damage or the growth of mold. It’ll also help you gauge how the roof handles harsher weather climates and if any additional roof coating and sealing are needed to prevent a roof leak.
What Is Roof Maintenance?
It refers to any kind of work done on a residential or commercial roof in order to prevent wear and tear. Flat roof inspections need to occur twice a year, or after a big storm, to determine if anything needs to be fixed or replaced. South Florida is known for its heavy storms, so general inspections after stormy weather would be advised.
A general flat roof inspection and maintenance should include the following:
Look for Debris
Some debris can be found on a roof usually after a storm. Debris can scratch, puncture or cause serious damage to your roof so it needs to be removed immediately. You should inspect for any visible damage when removing debris.
Repairing Seams & Membranes
Seams are where 2 pieces of roofing material are adjoined. Both seams and membranes can be vulnerable to leaks, specifically in places on the roof that have accessories built into it such as air vents, skylights and air conditioner units. The sun’s harsh UV rays can also break down the membrane overtime, causing cracks to form. Any seam or membrane that is damaged or rendered ineffective needs to be repaired immediately to prevent further problems.
Replacing the Flashings
Flashings are installed into areas of the roof where where two opposing surfaces meet such as parapet walls. These areas require the extra protection that flashing provides. They help prevent water from leaking through the vulnerable areas. Over time, flashings can become loose or deteriorated from excess exposure to moisture and will need to be replaced.
Clearing Clogging
Clogging may occur in drains, vents and scuppers, especially after storms. Scuppers allow water to run off the roof, directing water to flow from the side of the roof down into a drainage system. All drains, scuppers or gutters need to be kept clear.
Plumbing Stacks
Plumbing stacks are pipes on the roof that direct air flow into the building’s plumbing system. Check that they are clear of obstructions and properly sealed.
Look for Blistering
Check for leaks and blistering – blistering is roofing spots that are raised and spongy/soft looking. They happen when air is trapped between the layers of felt or the felt substrate. If a blister ‘pops’, then water can enter through and damage roofing material.
Check for Ponding
Ponding is standing pools of water that sit on your flat roof and are unable to drain or dry out. Some ponding that has eventually dried out will leave a concave area with a water mark or dirt ring surrounding it. If you notice these marks, then it means that your flat roof ponds regularly, and a proper drainage system may need to be installed to prevent further damage.
Check For Splits & Cracks
Splitting and cracking of roofing material can be caused by weather changes, added stress or pressure, ponding or simply poor workmanship. Any area that is cracking or splitting needs to be filled.
Fill Pitch Pans
Pitch pans protect and encase supporting connections roof penetrations. They are filled with “pourable sealer,” a more environmentally friendly material and easier to work with than the previously used “pitch”. Though they are simple to build and fix, pitch pans play a key role in maintaining the overall health of the roof because they seal out water in vulnerable areas. So they must be kept cleaned and filled.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM