Welcome to Family Roofing

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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.

WHY FLAT ROOFS DETERIORATE

Generally speaking, flat roofs offer many advantages.  They’re cost-effective, easily accessible, relatively easy to install, and even energy efficient in some cases. They also provide an ideal location for various building components such as HVAC units, solar panels, and communication equipment.

Flat roofs aren’t without problems, though.  The same characteristics that make flat roofs so effective can quickly turn into vulnerabilities if not properly maintained. To get the most out of your flat roof, pay attention to the causes of flat roof deterioration listed below.

Debris

Homes that have trees nearby cause the fallen leaves, branches, other debris to accumulate easily on a flat roof.  The lack of slope blocks the drainage. Additionally, the overhanging branches chafe the roofing material when a strong wind blows.  There is a risk of holes during storms which provides a passageway through which water can enter the house.  Therefore, seasonal maintenance and cleaning are crucial to prevent serious issues.

If the piles of leaves and debris are left uncleared, they can absorb and hold moisture.  When the temperature changes, the moisture freezes, thaws, and refreezes.  The cycle continues throughout the winter thereby creating havoc on the roof underneath.

Exposure

Exposure to destructive elements is substantially the root cause of flat roof problems.  The roof is an integral component of a house that prevents the residents from heat, cold, water, and all sorts of unfavorable conditions.  In doing so it is consistently exposed to sun, rain, storms, and snow.  Thus making the damage from the outside world inevitable.  When a roof lays bare to harsh weather conditions, roofing material no matter how durable will start to deteriorate.

Following are some common flat roof exposures:

• Overexposure to sun

• Wind-driven debris

• Lightning strikes

• Freezing

• Hailstorm

Some uncommon issues related to exposure include outside pollutants and chemicals.

Leaks

Water leaks are a common incidence in houses or buildings with flat roofs.  That happens because over time due to lack of maintenance and blockages flat roofs lose their ability to effectively remove water.  Water starts pooling up on the roof and once that happens water will find its way into the structure of the house in no time.

If roof leaks are not addressed quickly and effectively, bigger problems can arise over time requiring costly repairs.  Mechanical and physical impact associated damage can also cause punctures thus causing subsequent damage to flat roofing membrane resulting in roof leaks.

Biological Growth

Growth can form in any stagnant body of water—an unattended swimming pool with no circulation of water, for example.  When ponding water on a flat roof is stagnant for long periods of time, vegetation and algae can form.  A dirty roof will be less reflective and ultimately impact both the interior and exterior temperatures of the building.  Regular cleaning is a must for roofs at risk of ponding water and signs of biological growth should be monitored during a commercial roof inspection.

Punctures And Tears

Flat roofs are vulnerable to punctures and tears over time. Single-ply roofing systems are also prone to tears especially when incorrectly specified.  Damage can occur by moving sharp-edged tools such as a ladder, scaffolding across the roof. Sharp objects such as gravel can trap in shoes and cause tears when people carelessly walk on the roof.  This can be prevented by building proper walking paths on the roofs.

After a major weather event such as wind or rainstorm roof inspection goes a long way in preventing serious damages.  Detection and repair of punctures and tears early on time before they can get any bigger can save you the cost of an entire roof replacement.

Ponding

WHAT IS PONDING?

Ponding or standing water is where the water collects on the roof and has not drained within a couple of days.  If the water does not drain within a 48 hour period, it is highly likely that it will stay even longer, and there will be a larger amount of water standing.  This may cause long-term issues wherein a worst-case scenario, the roof has to be replaced. And even if it doesn’t, it may need costly repairs.

A few reasons why the water may not be draining are:

• The drains or gutters are blocked with debris

• The pitching of the roof was not done correctly (weak membranes, caulking issues, etc)

• There is too much roofing material on the edge of the roof

• The flashing was not installed correctly

WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF PONDING WATER?

It may seem as if a little water on the roof isn’t a big deal but there are a few effects that affect the longevity and value of your roof such as:

• There are more leaks

• A roof that sags

• There is deterioration in the roofing matters that are in the ponding water

• Moss, algae, and plant growth may be inevitable

• There is damage or weakening of the roof membrane

Conclusion

If your flat roof constantly leaks or suffers from any of the other problems mentioned above, schedule a professional to come out and inspect.