FLAT ROOF ALLIGATORING – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

FLAT ROOF ALLIGATORING

At some point in your building’s lifetime, your flat roof will need to be replaced or repaired.  The lifespan of a flat roof is usually 10-15 years.  The tricky thing with a flat roof is figuring out if it just needs some minor repairs or if it needs to be replaced.  Flat roofs need frequent inspections and maintenance so that if a problem pops up you’re able to get it fixed.  Certain problems can be quite dangerous as they can compromise the integrity of the building and potentially endanger yours and others’ lives.  Remember to always contact a professional to inspect, repair, or replace your roof.

Leaks And Moisture

Leaks and moisture occur with a flat roof, due to the fact that the water collects on top and doesn’t have anywhere to go but down.  This can lead to fungus, mold and other water damage. Leaks and moisture can eventually compromise your building.  It’s difficult to find a leak because the water doesn’t enter the interior in the same spot as it enters through the membrane.  Any damage in the membrane has the potential to be the source of a leak. Anything that has been badly water damaged will need tending to.

Flashing

Damaged flashing happens when an asphalt flat roof starts to pull away from the edges and corners of your roof as a byproduct of your roof expanding and contracting over a period of time due to being in the sun.  The roof flashing strips hold the different components of the roof together—if it’s loose, it’ll cause leaks.  The seal can be renewed by removing the old one completely and sealing it back up again.  If there is too much damage it may need replacing.

Cracks In The Roof

Because flat roofs have more pressure and stress than slanted roofs they’re more prone to cracking when the pressure is excessive.  Blistering and alligatoring can lead to cracks.  This will eventually compromise the roof.   Cracks in your roof should always be dealt with by a professional.  Flat roofs require much different repair and maintenance routines than residential roofs.  For starters, most commercial roofs are flat.  This means they react much differently to sun and precipitation and often require more frequent maintenance to ensure they function as they should. One common problem with many flat roofs is roof alligatoring.

WHAT IS ROOF ALLIGATORING?

Roof alligatoring is a phenomenon that occurs as a flat roof ages.  In general, it’s caused by the sun.  The bright UV rays eventually dry out the membrane or coating that tops your flat roof, causing it to crack.  The older your roof gets, and the longer you leave alligatoring to its own devices, the worse it will get.  Extreme temperature changes, from sunlight, snow, and even internal heating and cooling will cause new cracks to appear and will make existing cracks worse.

CAN YOU FIX IT?

In general, roof alligatoring is a sign that your roof is aging.  That said, it is possible to prevent alligatoring, and to repair small patches before they get so bad that you have to replace your flat roof prematurely.  Here’s what you need to know to prevent or repair alligatoring, plus a few tips on how to tell that alligatoring has gone too far.

PREVENTION

It is possible to prevent roof alligatoring by scheduling regular inspections and keeping up on maintenance.  Flat roofs require a bit more upkeep than sloped, residential roofs, and it’s important to keep up on that maintenance if you want to extend the life of your roof.  Regular inspections will help ensure you’re able to tackle any small alligatoring problems before they become larger, and your roofing professional can apply a UV protectant or reflective roof coating on a consistent schedule to prevent alligatoring and other damage from happening.

REPAIR

If you’ve noticed small splits and cracks in your roof, it’s best to remove and patch the problem area.  Some small hairline cracks can be filled by applying an appropriately rated energy sealing polyurethane, but in general, it’s best to just get rid of those troublesome sections as they appear.

SIGNS THAT ROOF ALLIGATORING HAS GONE TOO FAR

At some point, roof alligatoring can become a cause for replacement.  If not taken care of quickly, cracks can continue to split down through the roofing material where they will eventually cause water damage.  At this point, it’s better to simply replace the roof, rather than do a number of costly and extensive repairs.  Here are a few signs that alligatoring has advanced to the point that you should replace your commercial roof:

  • Water is seeping into your building.  If you’re noticing any kind of water damage due to the cracks in your roof, it’s time for a replacement. 

  • Alligatoring has spread across the roof.  Roof alligatoring usually starts in one spot, and then gradually expands as cracks widen and extend.  If you’re noticing that alligator pattern across your entire flat roof, it’s time for a replacement.

  • Your roofer recommends a replacement.  If your roofer is out for a routine inspection and recommends it might be time to replace your roof, don’t wait.  The longer it takes you to get that roof replaced, the harder (and more expensive) the job will be.