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.
TYPES OF FLAT ROOF
What are the different types of flat roofs? Built-up roof (BUR), modified bitumen roof (MBR), and rubber membrane roof (EPDM). Knowing what type of flat roofing material is on your building won’t stop your leaks but it will help you make better decisions about maintenance, roof repair and/or replacing an old flat roof system. Knowing more about you building’s roof will also help you communicate and relate better to potential roofing contractors as you go through the interview process to see which roofing company is a fit for your project.
Pooling Water Problems
A professional contractor must be sure to install the proper drainage to ensure the roof doesn’t collect water since standing water can cause a lot of trouble for flat roofs. Water puts additional weight on the affected areas which can cause too much strain to the structure. Areas that hold water for too long are at a higher risk of developing collapsing, cracks, and leaks.
Leaks can also cause structural damage and potentially lead to mold, mildew, or wood rot. Due to the design of most flat roofs, it’s often hard to locate the damaged area to make repairs. These problems can lead to potentially huge repair costs. Picking the correct type of material for your flat roof reduces the chances of these dire travesties.
Parts Of A Flat Roof
To an untrained eye, one flat roof looks very much like another. In fact, there are several different flat roof systems to choose from.
At the most basic level, a flat roof consists of three basic components:
Weatherproofing
Reinforcement
Surfacing
Depending on the materials selected, these might be combined into a single product, but all these functions should still be there.
Pros and Cons for Flat Roof Materials
1. Built-Up Roof (BUR)
The traditional hot-tar-and-gravel roof is built from three or more plies of waterproof material alternated with hot tar and ballasted by a layer of smooth river stone. Once made of tar paper, these types of roofs gradually are using more-advanced materials such as fiberglass membranes.
Pros
Gravel is an excellent fire retardant.
Attractive for windows and decks that overlook the roof.
It’s the cheapest of the four roof varieties.
Cons
Very heavy.
Joists sometimes have to be strengthened.
Smelly and messy to install.
Installation is not recommended for occupied homes.
It’s not a DIY installation job, and it is hard to find the source of leaks.
Gravel can clog gutters and scuppers.
2. Modified Bitumen Roof
A single-ply rolled roof similar to ice-and-water shield, but impregnated with a mineral-based wear surface. Torch-down systems involve heating the adhesive as the material is unrolled. Newer peel-and-stick systems are safer and easier.
Pros
Peel-and-stick material can be installed by homeowners.
Its light-colored mineral surface reflects heat and cuts energy bills.
Its price is in the middle of the pack.
Cons
Torch-down application is a fire hazard, and not recommended for occupied buildings.
It’s not as scuff- or tear-resistant as rubber-membrane roofs (see the next item).
3. Rubber Membrane Roof
EPDM (short for ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a true rubber. The durable single-ply membrane material resembles an inner tube, but it’s engineered to resist damage from sunlight. EPDM can be mechanically anchored with fasteners, ballasted with stone, or glued.
Pros
Homeowner-friendly installation.
The material’s relatively light yet highly resistant to scuffs and tears.
Leaks are easy to patch.
Cons
The standard black material absorbs heat, and light-colored coatings (recommended in warm climates) add 30% or more to the cost. Even the black version, though, costs more than BUR or modified bitumen.
It’s also more vulnerable to punctures than other choices.
How to Make a Flat Roof Last
It is incumbent upon the owner of a flat roof to regularly inspect and maintain the roof. This will make a significant difference in maintaining its integrity and longevity.
A basic inspection is suggested twice a year and after any major rain storms. We recommend consulting a roofing professional who is fully versed in rooftop safety techniques and precautions.
Flat Roof inspection checklist:
In normal circumstances, wait until 48 hours after a rainfall to clean and inspect the roof. Any water should have evaporated by this time. If it hasn’t, that’s a sign of a problem with roof drain parts or the drainage system.
To help see where any water might be collecting, clean any debris from the flat roof surface, including sweeping or gathering fallen leaves or branches and clearing any loose debris or gravel that may block drainage holes.
Inspect flashings around the chimney and skylights. If the flashing material is cracked or rusty, you will want to have it repaired as soon as possible.
Inspect the integrity of the top layer of protection (often a gravel or chipped mineral mixture) to ensure it hasn’t dispersed and left a bald patch. This is key to protecting the membrane underneath while also providing sun and fire protection. On a built-up roof, when gravel becomes sparse, the asphalt layer underneath can dry and crack under the sun. This could lead to “alligatoring,” which may eventually cause the layer to leak and fail.
Check for any damage, puncturing, rips or wrinkling of the membranes. This might be difficult to see if a layer of chipped material or gravel is on top. Regardless of your flat roof design, take time to thoroughly check the surface for flaws.
Any damage should be repaired immediately to return watertight protection to the roof and prevent further deterioration.
If the top layer of gravel needs to be replaced or replenished, consult a roofing professional for proper application over the surface of the roofing material.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
A professional contractor must be sure to install the proper drainage to ensure the roof doesn’t collect water since standing water can cause a lot of trouble for flat roofs. Water puts additional weight on the affected areas which can cause too much strain to the structure. Areas that hold water for too long are at a higher risk of developing collapsing, cracks, and leaks.