Known for its sleek look and low cost, flat roofs are the go-to for those people who want to achieve a modern home without going over their budget. However, to ensure that you don’t experience common problems that accompany this type of roofing, take note of the following tips:
Photo by Will Dunkley on Unsplash
Inspect regularly
– Every few months, inspect your flat roof. Depending on the architectural style of your home, you may be able to inspect your flat roof by looking out a second-story window.
– In other cases, you’ll have to access your roof by climbing a ladder.
– Look for holes, tears, blisters, and loose seams on an asphalt-roll roof or for rust and pitting on a metal roof. Make repairs or add patches to prevent leaks.
– Also check the edges of the flashing to make sure water can’t seep under it.
Use protective paint
– To protect an asphalt-roll roof against damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, paint it with reflective asphalt aluminum paint. The paint will also lubricate the roofing and reseal the surface against water. Source: YellowPages
Getting rid of moss or silt
If you find that moss or silt is building up on your flat roof, then it might be an indicator that the roof has not been built at the proper incline – yes, even flat roofs should have a slight incline to facilitate sufficient drainage. The incline should be somewhere between 1 in 40 and 1 in 80, to prevent rainwater pooling. Vegetation and moss can indicate that water is being held in sufficient quantity to allow growth and this can affect the timber sub-surface, ultimately leading to warping, ponding and internal leakage. Source: HomeProtect
Watch out for ridging
Ridging usually takes place in bituminous (built up) roofs in the insulation joints, due to moisture that condenses under the felt. These ridges may appear as long, narrow cracks and are typically the result of the roof membrane having been poorly attached. Source: DoItYourself
Prevention is always better than cure. Never experience a roofing problem again by letting us maintain your roof for you. Call us today for a free estimate!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
