Welcome to Family Roofing

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 ROOFS AND SUMMER HEAT

 Sun’s Intense Heat

Roofs are designed to weather and, as the years go by, they begin to undergo physical changes due to exposure to the elements.  The sun, in particular, has a great impact on their lifespan mainly because of what it brings – thermal shock, heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays.  Even on cool and cloudy days, the surface of flat roofs continues to receive UV exposure. It dries out the roof’s oil components, leading to the loss of its waterproofing qualities.  Day-night temperature changes also cause flat roofs to expand and contract, exposing the inner layers to potential leaks and further damage.

Roof Problems Related to the Sun

Roofing professionals are able to determine signs that tell flat roofs are damaged due to intense heat coming from the sun.  Blistering, for instance, is characterized by bubble-like protrusions in areas where the surface has lost its adhesion to the roof substrate.  It is a result of the expansion and contraction of trapped air or moisture between the layers due to temperature fluctuations.  Such a problem can also become apparent due to improper installation.  Accelerated sun damage becomes more pronounced.  Lack of pitch and use of inferior structural materials increases the likelihood of pooling water.  With the sun heating up the surface, this standing water will soon find its way through any crack or hole, leading to costly repairs.

Blistering

When water penetrates through the roof, this is a problem on its own. It only gets worse when you add the summer heat into the mix.  When you heat the moisture under the sun all day, it can lift the felt from the roof.  This will lead to bubbles or blisters in the roof.  If you catch these blisters as soon as possible, then you can replace the damaged sections. However, as time goes on and more blisters develop, you would need to replace the entire roof.  This can lead to a bigger problem so if you spot blistering in your roof, call a professional to fix it as soon as possible.

Thermal Movement

In the summer, the temperatures rotate between hot and cold throughout the day and night.  Flat style roofs expand and contract in these conditions. This usually leads to water penetrating the roof.  The endless cycle of heating and cooling can cause conventional flat roofs to expand and contract and allow water penetration.

Flashing Damage

Damage to your flashing can be caused by fungal growth due to moisture build-up.  With that in mind, have your roofing system inspected by a professional to identify the areas where the flashing is damaged. Otherwise, your flat roof is guaranteed to fail.

Standing Water

While summer is known to be a dry season, it can bring some summer storms with it.  With that in mind, proper drainage is needed for every roofing system, especially flat roofs.  If the water isn’t drained from the roof within 72 hours, it can cause water to leaks and encourage mold growth that may cause respiratory problems in the household.

Moisture Damage

When moisture builds up, mold and fungus might grow.  When you add sunlight into the mix, the high temperatures can help increase the rate of mold growth.  This fungus may damage flashing. If you have damaged flashing, this compromises your draining capacity.

Older roofs and those that endure high temperatures should have regular inspections. When you have a roofing issue, you never want to wait around on it.