"Experience the Royal Treatment"

Licensed & Insured. NYC Lic. #2030146

Tips On How To Protect Your Flat Roof

November 14, 2021
Royal Roofing
Flat Roofing

As a homeowner or property manager with a flat roofing system, you would have seen the numerous benefits a flat roof provides—energy proficiency, cost-effective installation, which you have enjoyed and still enjoying.

While flat roofs have a lot of benefits, you need to be careful of problems like roof breaks, harm, and other issues that may arise due to inadequate maintenance and lack of proper knowledge.

A hole in a flat roof can prompt inevitable breakdown and huge loads of property harm if you don’t watch out. In any case, you can protect your roof from most of these issues if you apply the maintenance tips that will be shared here.

Water can be a dangerous threat to your flat roof. Although it has a slight slope that prevents standing or pooling water on your roof, when compared to pitched roofs, its slope doesn’t have the gravitational force to drive excess water from your roof. As a result, this leads to standing and pooling water. And whenever there is standing or pooling water on your roof, more problems will arise. The water overloads your roof, which can make it break down.

Also, standing water gives room for roof breaks, particularly hairline breaks that might have developed because of the stagnant water. The following are maintenance tips to help you maintain your roof properly and minimize your spending on repairs.

Examine And Clean Gutters Frequently

As a flat roof owner, this exercise is non-negotiable for you. You want to make sure your gutters are clear, and that water is going where it should.

Because your gutters can be blocked by leaves, small chunks of trees, and many more, you want to ensure a free flow of water coming to the slope through the gutters. If left unattended, it can cause several common flat roofing problems, which will need repair; as a result, you will spend hundreds, if not thousands of bucks.

Clear Leaves and Dirt Off the Roof Regularly

Your roof is in danger if several leaves and dirt are hanging on your roof’s membrane. This tip has saved a lot of flat roof owners to maximize and enjoy their roofs for an extended period.

You can do this by picking with your hand, using a brush to brush, or using a broom to sweep off the first from your roof. If you don’t do this, the leaves can disrupt water flow, leading to standing water. It can also block your drains and gutters. This is one of the secrets to a long-lasting roof.

Replace Your Roof Every Ten Years

Some roofers always give the homeowners a heads-up on how long the roofing system will last before it is due for replacement. Although if they are using PVC roofing, it will last longer than that. This is why it is more expensive and more challenging to install compared to other flat roofs.

Because of the flat roof’s consistent openness to dampness and standing water, their lifespan is lesser than pitched roofs. So, if you plan to avoid roof repair, you should replace the roof. Of course, there are exceptions to this. This seems like an expensive cost, but if you consider the amount you will spend on repairs in the next ten years, it will be close to or more than the replacement cost

Have Your Roof Sealed With A Waterproof Coating

Waterproofing is an essential element of a flat roof. Your roof is permeable, expanding the opportunity for holes, form, and dampness if you have blocked gutters on your roof. A waterproof sealant can secure your roof, nonetheless. Indeed, many flat roofs are fixed with water-safe coatings.

But take note that you don’t just apply any roof sealant. Lopsided coatings or some unacceptable sealant can cause more damages to your roof than it was before you applied it.

To apply the roof sealant, you should clean it with water and soap and add a primer. The roof should be dry, too—catching dampness underneath the covering is requesting inconvenience since this can prompt decay and mold. You might even need to consider having your roof inspected by a roofing contractor before you add any sealant since they can search out harms or different issues that would make your sealant fall flat.

The sealant, as well, should be applied by the roofing contractor, but you can also do it if you know the processes. The roofing contractor can also assist you with selecting the best roof sealant suitable for your building. If appropriately applied, a roof coating can help you avoid a wide range of flat roof problems. The seal should be applied in a smooth, nonstop method. In the process, you should not allow holes or breaks to form. This is the more reason you need a roofing expert to apply the coating for you.

Have Your Roof Inspected Frequently

What may be a minor issue in a pitched roof can have a tremendous effect on a flat roof. This is why we usually advise that you examine your flat roof frequently. Call in a roofing contractor to inspect your roof once in the mid-year and once in the colder time of year.

Why? You might ask. Minor problems discovered early can be fixed effectively. And since they will not remain small for long, it’s ideal to solve them immediately —rather than waiting till they damage your roof.

Deal With Cracks Quickly

As a homeowner, you should fix little gaps, cracks, and breaks immediately especially, if you have a flat roof. You can fix small cracks yourself with rooftop mastic and wire rooftop networks. However, if you have large cracks, you should get your roof examined by your roofing contractor.

Specifically, search for breaks around any raised edges. These cracks frequently show up on flat roofs after some time because of water openness. Giving your roof the assistance it needs is the ideal way of keeping it in a delightful, watertight condition.

For more information and help on how to maintain your flat roof, reach out to us at 118-35 Queens Blvd Forest Hills, NY 11375 (718) 414-6067 https://www.nycrenovators.com/.