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 MAINTENANCE
Flat roofs demand more attention than pitched roofs, but depending on your situation, flat might be the better bet. Flat roofs last approximately between 10 to 20 years before they need to be replaced. To have your roof last as long as possible, you need to regularly maintain it. Your flat roof can have a much longer life span, provided you look after it through regular maintenance (removing debris, fixing leaks and ponding, etc). Maintaining a roof will involve some costs but it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Advantages of having a flat roof
Flat roofs are more affordable because the material that is used for this type of roof is inexpensive. Also, the installation itself is much simpler making the labor cost lower. They are extremely easy to maintain because they are accessible. It is simpler to check for any damages or leaks on flat roofs than the sloped ones. Probably one of the biggest advantages of having a flat roof is that it is multifunctional. You could use a flat roof to create a garden, build a roof deck or a place for relaxation.
Why is preventative flat roof maintenance important?
Because having a flat roof has so many advantages and benefits it is important to maintain it properly and regularly in order to keep its functionality. Flat roofs have a long lifespan but if you don’t perform regular checkups you will have to replace them much earlier than you expected. Preventative flat roof maintenance is simple and it doesn’t take much time. Therefore, do not skip it and avoid spending more money on roof repairs or replacements. It is recommended to check it every spring and autumn in order to avoid any major damage. Also, it would be good to check your flat roof after harsh weather conditions such as storms, snowfall, and strong winds. That way you will minimize any risk of leaks, draughts, and dumps. In order to expand the lifespan of the roof it is important to perform preventative flat roof maintenance
How to perform preventative maintenance of a flat roof?
Preventive maintenance of your flat roof is very simple. You can either hire professionals to do that instead of you or you can do it yourself. Regardless of whether the roof experts will do it instead of you or you will maintain your roof by yourself, there are certain steps that you should follow in order for your preventive maintenance to be productive.
Perform annual inspection
One of the most important steps when doing preventative flat roof maintenance is to do it regularly. You should do it at least twice a year, but it is advisable to inspect your flat roof every couple of months. Walking on a flat roof is very easy and safe, so it won’t be a problem to check for any damage such as blisters and fractures. This will ensure that your roof is in good condition and there will be no leaks when there is heavy rain or snowfall. Also, make sure to check for bird droppings as they are very acidic and can damage your roof as well.
What Is Roof Maintenance?
It refers to any kind of work done on a residential 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.
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 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.
Your flat roof should be free of any debris
It is very important to keep your flat roof clean because there are many immediate benefits of roof cleaning. Because of their position and shape, flat roofs attract and retain more debris, leaves, and twigs. At first, this might seem harmless but in the long run, it could ruin your roof. Debris accumulates water retention which can further lead to algae development and mold growth. This can cause many problems to your flat roof and damage the material the roof is made of. For that reason, regular cleaning of your roof is one of the most important steps when maintaining it. Make sure to clean your roof from any debris as they can cause damage.
Check trees that are overhanging the roof
Even though at first it might seem that is not related to your roof it is 
crucial to take care of the trees surrounding your home. If there are trees that are overhanging your roof they can be a hazard for your flat roof. The main reason is that there will be many leaves and debris on the roof because of the tree. Therefore, make sure to trim any trees overhanging your flat roof or hire professional services to do it for you. Also, to avoid damage to your roof caused by the surrounding trees it is advisable to pressure wash your roof. This is a very efficient method of cleaning your roof because it will clear out not only leaves and debris but algae and remove moss as well.
Look out for any strains
While doing preventive maintenance make sure to check for any strains or stress that can cause damage to the flat roof. Extra weight such as snow, ice, or debris can cause significant suffering to your roof which may result in your roof collapsing. Your roof may break due to weight but it can also crack due to severe temperature changes or sunlight. All this can be prevented by doing regular checkups and by knowing how much weight your roof can handle.
Preventative flat roof maintenance includes leak prevention
Like with any other type of roof, flat roofs are prone to leaks. Therefore, it is important to check your roof for any damages that might cause leaks. If you discover them on time you will not have to spend extra money on hiring professionals to repair your roof. There are many reasons that can cause leaks on your roof. Some of them include:
-
The age of the roof
-
Cracks on the roof due to sunlight
-
Damage to the roof material due to the debris
-
Poor installation
-
Roof blistering
Check gutters and drains
One of the disadvantages of having a flat roof is that it collects more water than other roof types. This can lead to erosion, cracks, and leaks. But you can avoid all this if you regularly check your gutter and drains. Make sure that they are not blocked. This way the water will run freely from your roof through gutters and drains. If your gutters and drains are not cleaned from any blockage there is a big chance that your roof will retain large amounts of water, especially during heavy storms and rain.
Drains and gutters should be on your checklist when performing preventative flat roof maintenance. Even though it might seem that is not part of your flat roof, clean gutters and drains are very important in your roof maintenance. Therefore, do not hesitate to occasionally even hire professional services to properly clean them and ensure there is no extra water on the roof that can cause leaks or make it collapse.
Recoat the roof if needed
Recoating the roof is not going to be part of every maintenance but it is very important to mention it. Because of the material that your flat roof is made of it is important to recoat it every two to four years. If you do this from time to time you will not have to worry about the lifespan of your roof. Also, you will not have to be worried about your safety or the safety of your family members since there will be no chance of your roof collapsing. There is no doubt that is better to invest a little bit in your roof maintenance occasionally than to pay for its repair or replacement. This will save you money in the long run and ensure a safe roof on top of your head.
Contact professionals to help you with preventative flat roof maintenance
There is no doubt that if you would like to expand the lifespan of your roof you should invest in professional maintenance. This is a small amount of money that you would have to pay compared to the amount that you would have to pay in order to replace the whole roof. The professionals have all the tools and equipment to perform maintenance properly. Also, because of their knowledge and skills, they will know which areas of the roof are more vulnerable and where to pay extra attention.