Flat roofs are an excellent modern roofing option, providing your property with everything from additional space to a sleek and minimalistic look. However, due to their unique design, they do require a bit more maintenance than traditional pitched roofing. If you’re preparing yourself for your flat roof installation and want to know how to prevent leaks, or you’re just a curious reader wanting to learn how much work flat roofs really are, this blog goes over everything you need to do, from routine drain cleaning to scheduling roof inspections to keep your flat roof strong, sturdy, and leakproof.
Tips To Maintain Your Flat Roof: How To Prevent Leaks & Other Forms Of Damage
Prevention is always better than the cure. Meaning? Keeping up with your flat roof maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. If you don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night due to your roof dripping onto your bed in a thunderstorm, here is a list of things you can do.
Read along as we cover basic flat roof maintenance techniques.
- Roof & Drain Cleaning
One of the most common ways that flat roofs can hold water is when the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. This can happen when the drains are clogged with all kinds of debris. The solution? Regularly clean your roof and drains so that there are no twigs, leaves, sediments, or errant baseballs blocking the water’s drainage route. Do this at least twice a year and after every storm to guarantee proper drainage.
- Routine Inspection
While you or a professional is up there, look around the roof for other signs of damage. Keep an eye out for cracking, blisters, or dips in the roof. Additionally, closely examine the flashing and drip edges, so that you’re reassured they aren’t loose or warped.
- Don’t Put Off Small Repairs
One of the biggest mistakes that property owners make is to ignore small signs of damage. This worsens the issue over time and leads to severe roof damage. For example, if you ignore ponding water, the moisture can corrode your roofing material, eventually leading to leaks in your roof. Always have a professional inspect and fix any small signs of damage you see to maintain your flat roof.
- Use Waterproofing Membranes
Never skip this step. Though you may be tempted to save a few bucks by foregoing a sealant, it can lead to costly repairs and replacements in the future. As soon as the roof is installed, make sure to have the roofers apply an acrylic, silicon, or polyurethane coating to the roof to prevent the material from deteriorating from moisture damage. This won’t just save you hundreds of dollars in repairs, but also extend your roof’s lifespan.
- Maintain The Seals
It isn’t enough to just have it installed and forget about it. You should also closely examine the sealant for signs of cracks and seams. If you find any, be sure to have them repaired immediately, restoring the protective layer over your flat roof.
- Trim The Surrounding Plant Life
Another useful tip to maintain your flat roof is to keep an eye on hanging tree branches. These branches don’t just give your property an unkempt look; they can also scratch and damage your roof. If you have any close-by trees, make sure to trim and cut them regularly to keep your roof safe.
- Limit Foot Traffic
Flat roofs have the excellent advantage of letting you utilize the space to socialize or just take in some fresh air from the comfort of your home. However, going up there too often can lead to the waterproof membrane wearing down. Have a designated area as a walkway on your roof to keep most of your sealant safe from damage, and regularly inspect that area so that you catch any form of wear and tear immediately.
Conclusion
To conclude, flat roofs are built differently from pitched roofing and, therefore, have their own maintenance needs to prevent things like corrosion, leaks, or other forms of roof damage. Clean your drainage systems regularly, schedule expert roof inspection services, invest in immediate roof repairs, and trim nearby branches to keep your roof safe. We hope this blog helped you understand your flat roof’s maintenance needs. For more questions regarding your flat roof, feel free to ask.
FAQs
Is flat roof installation expensive?
No. Due to the simpler design and less material, flat roof installation is actually more budget-friendly than pitched roofs.
How long do flat roofs last?
Depending on the material used, proper installation and maintenance, flat roofs can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years or more.
What is the best flat roofing material?
Steel is considered the most popular material owing to its durability, long lifespan, and resistance to corrosion, fires, and pests.