Welcome to Family Roofing

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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 ISSUES

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 home 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 home.  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.  Water and moisture can be extremely destructive.  Flat roofs do not shed water as readily as pitched roofs.  Consequently, leaks are not uncommon.

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.

Pooling Water

Pooling water occurs if your roof isn’t level and the water builds up in the dips-adding pressure to certain parts of the roof.  Shifting foundations can cause your roof to not be as even as it might have been when it was built. The pooling water can start to cause mold and algae growth.  The source of pooling water can either be blocked drains or an uneven roof, a roofing professional can help find the cause of the problem and repair it for you.

Blistering

Blistering happens when air or moisture pockets get trapped between the layers of the roof membrane or between the membrane and the roof deck.  The pockets expand and stretch the membrane as the sun heats the roof. Unless the blisters show signs of more serious damage, they’re sometimes best left alone.  If they’re in an area that is getting foot traffic, the membrane has cracked, the surface is coming off, or the blister is near a seam then they’ll need to be dealt with.  In order to repair a blister in a roof, you’ll need new membrane material that will extend at least six inches around the edges of the blister after it’s been cut out.

Alligatoring

Alligatoring is a surefire sign that your roof is aging.  The asphalt for your roof has started to age and lose it’s elasticity since the sun’s UV rays have dried the roof material causing it to crack and bubble, resembling alligator skin.  In order to fix a roof that is alligatoring, you’ll need to clean it of particles and dust, then add a compatible primer and lastly, it’ll need a new coating on the roof.

Buckling In The Membrane

The membrane in a flat roof is always one solid piece.  As your home shifts and settles, it can cause your roof membrane to buckle and damage the structure. Buckling repair is always best left to a roofing professional.

Separated or Exposed Layers

When a membrane layer of your flat roof becomes separated from the layer below it, your building becomes exposed to leaks.  This problem typically occurs due to standing water and is similar to blistering.  However, separated or exposed layers may not always be as visibly obvious.  For this reason, it’s a good idea to bring out professional roofers for regular roof maintenance check-ups to help you spot exposed layers before they turn into a larger problem.

Debris Buildup

Just as water doesn’t drain from a flat roof as easily as from a pitched roof, flat roofs are more prone to debris buildup.  With a pitched roof, leaves, pine needles, branches, and other objects are more likely to slide off.  On a flat roof, they are more likely to sit there.  Debris buildup can degrade your roofing materials, put undue stress on your roof’s structure, and can lead to water dams and leaking.  It can also clog drains and vents.

How to Reduce Debris Buildup on Your Flat Roof

Flat roofs need to be cleared of debris regularly.  This can be done with a broom or a blower.  You may also wish to pressure wash your roof to help remove more stubborn debris. In addition to performing annual maintenance, you should check your roof seasonally, especially during the fall when leaves and branches are more likely to fall on your roof.  Set a reminder on your calendar to inspect your roof for debris buildup quarterly.