Common Sense Rules for Maintaining a Flat Roof – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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Some Common Sense Rules for Maintaining a Flat Roof

Flat roofs demand more attention than pitched roofs, but depending on your situation, flat might be the better bet.

Flat roofs require more maintenance than do sloped roofs because debris tends to collect on them.  They are safer to walk on than sloped roofs.  As long as you’re careful not to damage the roofing material as you work, it’s easy to keep them functional.

Keeping drains and scuppers clear is the single-most-important maintenance task because backups there will trap standing water on the roof.

Fall is a good time to sweep off leaves and dirt that would turn into mulch over the winter.  Trees on the ground are a problem too. Low branches that could scrape the roof should be removed before they cause damage.  Check the flashing for cracked caulking, which can be easily removed and replaced.

Large cracks or splits in a flat roof probably need professional attention, but small punctures or worn spots often can be mended using home-center patch kits for your type of roof.  On rubber roofs, patch small holes with a regular bicycle-tire repair kit.