Maintenance Guide to Avoiding Flat Roof Repair

July 20, 2023 | Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Flat roofs have become a popular choice among homeowners considering house extension or a conservatory. The reasonable prices make flat roofs a perfect roofing material for residential and commercial buildings, especially for budget buyers.

Maintenance Guide to Avoiding Flat Roof Repair

Asphalt-based flat roofs have a slightly lower lifespan than other modern roofing materials. Basically, the longevity and durability of flat roofing depend on the material it is made of and the temperature your area receives. Regular maintenance ensures that your roof looks as good as new even after years of installation. Here is the maintenance guide for a flat roof.

1. Check it Periodically

Inspection is the first step to maintaining your roof. A thorough inspection gives you a clear and detailed picture of the roof, shingles, drainage system, and other elements. As a general rule, you should inspect your roofing 3-4 times a year or more often if you have trees around the roof. A well-established garden featuring shrubs and grown plants can clog the gutter, causing the water to collect on the roof and penetrate the shingles.

Inspection is important after heavy rainfall, a storm, or a snowfall. If you live in an area that receives extreme temperatures and freezing weather, you should book inspection services every few months. Or, you can go up on the roof to check for holes, blisters, small cracks, missing shingles, pooling water, and other signs of damage. Call a professional roofing contractor if you notice any sign of damage on your roofing.

2. Have a Secure and Sturdy Drainage System

Do you notice the pooling water on your roof often? Well, there must be a problem with your current drainage system. Insufficient or a poorly installed drainage unit might be the cause of pooling water. You need to clear the drainage of any kind of blockage or clutter to prevent water from collecting on the roof. Make sure you have a sturdy and clean drainage system in place, and the gutter is clear. Not only will it keep water from pooling on the roof, but it will keep your roof in good condition for years.

3. Keep Your Roof Clean

The upfront cost of flat roofs is lower than the slanted ones, but this roofing requires a lot of maintenance. That’s because dirt and debris are more likely to collect on flat roofs than slanted ones. Pooling water is also a common problem with this roofing.

The good news is that flat roofs are safer than their slanted variants. You could easily walk on the roof, collect solid and wet debris, and wash the roof without the fear of falling. This means cleaning debris on your flat roof is not a difficult chore. However, you must walk on the roof carefully. Use the right cleaning appliances and detergents so that your roof doesn’t get damaged in the process. Go on the roof and clear debris with a broom or a vacuum. You could also mop the roof to keep it clean.

4. Fix Splitting

Splitting is another common issue with flat roofs. It occurs when the asphalt or whichever material you’ve used for the covering experiences cracks. Splitting is not visible, but these small cracks lead to leakage. The water will find its way through the cracks into your house, causing severe damage to your property.

If you can see stains or damp ceilings, call a roofing contractor right away for inspection. This is a sign your roof needs repair or replacement due to holes in the asphalt. Repair of the roof is pretty simple. The contractors will replace the damaged portion, clean the underneath area, and install fresh material. If you are not confident about DIY roof fixing, call professional contractors.

5. Trim the Nearby Trees

Do you have a backyard filled with large trees with branches falling onto the roof? If the branches are large enough to cover your roof, trim them immediately. These branches do not only clog the gutter, but they can scrape your roof.

It also presents the risk of moss spreading over your roof from the surrounding trees and damaging the entire roofing. Trimming the nearby trees will not only protect your roof from such damages but will keep the surroundings clean and your garden healthy.

6. Handle Leaks Immediately

Leaks are not uncommon in residential and commercial settings. You might have installed the most durable roofing material, but nothing guarantees protection from weather damages. A severe storm or extreme rainfall can cause clogged gutters, which in turn lead to water collecting on the roof. The material underneath the roof is at high risk of damage due to regular exposure to moisture and high temperature.

If you notice damp ceilings or any signs of leakage from your roof, call in a professional contractor immediately. They will inspect the roofing and perform necessary maintenance and repairs to fix the issue. Leaks mostly occur in flashing. It’s best to leave the task to an experienced roofing contractor instead of trying DIY repair. Leaks need to be addressed as soon as possible.

7. Check the Weight

You should protect your flat roof from the build-up of excess snow and ice. That doesn’t happen with roofs installed correctly, but it can be a problem if you live in an area that receives extreme snowfall throughout the year. Excessive weight on your roof can cause it to collapse.

Even though that rarely happens, there is a possibility. Ask the contractors about the maximum weight your roof can tolerate during installation. Choose premium materials that are designed to hold extreme weight easily.

Bottom Line In most cases, roof damages occur because of the homeowner’s negligence. If you take care of the roof and conduct regular inspections, you could save tons of money on expensive repairs in the future. If you face any problem with the roof or notice any sign of damage, call Best Top Roofing Ltd for emergency roofing service at +1 780-710-9990 to get the issue fixed. Check your roof regularly or after summer and winter to ensure it is in good condition or you can hire us for roofing inspection.