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

Without a significant slope, a flat roof is more vulnerable to water damage.  A waterproof membrane prevents leaks but needs periodic maintenance.  If you have decided that a flat roof on your home is appealing, there are specific maintenance steps you need to take.

Perform Regular Inspection

All roofs should be inspected once or twice a year.  However, flat roofs should be inspected every two or three months.  Roof professionals will make sure everything is intact.  You can do some of these monthly inspections yourself since flat roofs are easy to walk on.  However, a professional should do a formal inspection at least twice a year.

Check for things like:

• Blisters in the roof surface

• Holes in the roof surface

• Loose seams

• Soft spots

• Signs of rust

• Cracks in the surface or seams

• Water pooling

• Ice or snow build up

• Signs that the drainage system for water is clogged

• Leaks or cracks in seams

• Gutters clogged with debris

Keep the drains clear

You’ll find the drain openings in the barrier on the downward-slope side of the roof.  When they’re blocked by leaves or other debris, water pools on the roof.  Clear the drains by pulling gunk out of the openings in the raised sides and putting it in a bucket.  Do this at least once every month or two, more often in the fall when leaves fall.  While you’re at it, clear out the downspouts with a garden hose.

Dirt and silt can stick in the drain openings and clog the downspouts.  That’s less likely to happen if the roof is clean.  Regular sweeping is another bi-monthly task.  Collect the sweepings in the bucket and bring it all down from the roof when you’re finished.

Because of their lack of pitch, flat roofs accumulate water, ice, and snow. Pooling water indicates poor drainage. Have a professional check to make sure your drainage system isn’t clogged.  Cleaning of the drainage system should be part of regular inspection.

Keep Roof Clear

Because of their low pitch, flat roofs collect debris, leaves, twigs, and dirt.  Debris is unsightly.  However, more importantly, it leads to moisture retention.  This compromises your roof’s lifespan and can lead to an accumulation of algae, bacteria, and mold.

Keep Shrubs and Trees Cut Back from the Roof

Overhanging shrubs and trees aren’t healthy for any roof but they are particularly troublesome for flat roofs.  Overhanging plants lead to more debris and thus the need to clean off the roof more frequently.  Falling limbs can also damage the roof.  Moss from nearby trees can accumulate on the roof.  Once there, it will begin to grow. It is unsightly but also not good for the health of your roof.

Prune overhanging branches

Branches that touch the roof can scratch and damage the covering.  Those that aren’t actually touching the roof can break off and fall during a storm, also causing damage.  Branches are also sources of leaves, seeds and small twigs that can block the drains.

Inspect the roofing

Most flat roofing systems have seams.  While you’re cleaning debris, check the seams for signs of lifting or separating.  Even small cracks can cause leaks and should be repaired promptly.  Check also for blisters that occur when air is trapped underneath the membrane.  They need to be “popped” to let the air out, then patched with roofing cement or overlaid with a patch of the same roofing material.

Inspect the flashing

Flashing protects plumbing stacks, roof vents and other protrusions to prevent leaks.  Look for cracks or gaps that could allow water to seep in.  Repair and cracks with roofing caulk.

Check for Stress Points

Flat roofs may buckle or sag, or crack because of too much weight.  This could be from water, ice, snow, debris, or heavy roof cleaning equipment.

Avoid Weight Buildup

Water, ice, snow, debris, can all add weight. This puts stress on your flat roof.  It can cause cracks, flat spots, or sagging.  It can even cause roof collapse.  To avoid undue weight, remove ice, snow, or debris.

Flat Roof Repair

There are several flat roofing systems in common use.  When leaks occur, a professional can repair most with a patch of the same material as the roofing.  For materials like modified bitumen (similar to asphalt roll roofing), apply the patch with roofing tar.  Other materials, like EPDM rubber, TPO (a type of plastic) and PVC (another plastic), need to be heat-sealed.

Pinpointing a leak can be challenging because water may seep under the membrane for a considerable distance before finding a path through a seam.  Go indoors, note where water is dripping or the roof decking or drywall is discolored, and measure the distances from that spot to the walls on either side.  Use those measurements to pinpoint the same spot on top of the roof.  Then proceed sideways or along the upward slope until you find the damaged seam or deteriorated section.

Repair Leaks Immediately

All roofs may develop leaks.  Flat roofs accumulate water faster so they are predisposed to leaking.  If you notice a leak, call a roofing professional immediately.  He will assess the situation and make needed repairs before water has a chance to accumulate in walls or ceilings.

Be Vigilant

The number one reason for issues with flat roofs is negligence.  Small blister, crack, leaks, puddles, or soft spots can quickly become costly problems if ignored.

Plan for Replacement

Most flat roofs—no matter how well cared for—have a lifespan of between ten and twenty years.  If repairs become frequent, it may be time to replace that roof.