CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
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 LEAKS
Causes of Flat Roof Leaks
Your flat roof can leak due to a variety of factors, including old age. If your roof is old, some areas may have deteriorated and will likely fail, allowing rainwater to infiltrate your building. In most cases, flat roofs leak around vents and plumbing stacks or at the edge of the roof.
Other common causes of leaks on flat roofs include:
Ponding water – When water remains on your roof for more than 48 hours after precipitation, it can lead to damaging leaks.
Damaged Membrane – If your flat roof is made of a single-ply membrane, it can be susceptible to damage due to ponding water or roof traffic. A compromised membrane allows water to enter the insulation, causing more serious leaks.
Roof Structures – Just like sloped shingle roofs, flat roofs are vulnerable to leaks around areas where a structure rises up through the roof’s surface. These structures may include plumbing vents, gas lines, pipes, and other building elements.
Clean Your Flat Roof
In many cases, leaking can occur when debris is left on the flat roof. It can block water from flowing down the grade of the roof or redirect it to other areas. Make sure that you spend time cleaning the roof. Use a push broom to safely remove the debris and collect it in garbage bags. You do not want to push it down the drains as that can cause a blockage. This is especially important after a big storm.
Inspect the Drainage
All flat roof construction has drainage installed so that leaking does not happen. The water cascades down the subtle grade and down the drains. These drains can sometimes become clogged or dislodged ,which can cause water to not drain properly. Knock on the metal drain pipes with your knuckles and listen closely. If the pipe sounds hollow, there is no blockage, but if it sounds dull, then there is something stuck inside. The easiest way to unblock it is to use a pressure washer to shoot a jet of concentrated water down the drain. You can repair dislodged pipes by reseating them and tightening the screws.
Flashing
Adding flashing to your flat roof prevents leaks around chimneys and vents. Locate the chimney, exhaust pipes and vents. Bend the flashing around the base of these, slightly overlapping and then trimming the excess. Hammer in place with roofing nails until flush with the roof. Install flashing to the edge of the roof with the bend over the edge. Apply the clear epoxy to the flashing to seal it to prevent flat roof leaking. Have a roofing professional come out and inspect your roof and perform these necessary repairs.
Membrane Roofing
Membrane Roofing is a roof system that creates a continuous watertight covering to protect the interior of a building. Membrane roofs are predominately used as a flat roofing system since they are watertight, which is critical where water is not shed immediately. They can also be used on very low pitched roofs where shingled, slate, or tiled roofing would not perform.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM 
In many cases, leaking can occur when debris is left on the flat roof. It can block water from flowing down the grade of the roof or redirect it to other areas. Make sure that you spend time cleaning the roof. Use a push broom to safely remove the debris and collect it in garbage bags. You do not want to push it down the drains as that can cause a blockage. This is especially important after a big storm.