Keys to Maintaining a Flat Roof
May 1, 2012 Laura MacCormac
If you hire a professional in the commercial roofing business, a very common choice that they will recommend for your infrastructure is the installation of a flat roof. This makes sense for a number of reasons, but what many people fail to realize is that proper maintenance and upkeep can save a business owner both time and money, and can often prolong the need for a complete roofing replacement by years.
When dealing with flat roofing repairs and maintenance, there are a few simple things to keep in mind which can help relieve many of the headaches associated with a full roofing replacement. These tips are quick, easy, and best of all, can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a flat roof.
1) Check the roof top at least three times per year, particularly if the business is located near a high number of trees. Leaves, sticks, and other debris can clog drainage systems and lead to costly flat roofing repairs. If there is any build up on the roof top, it is best to call in a qualified roofing specialist to deal with the problem.
2) Be aware of the blistering of the roof top. These areas, which appear as bubbles beneath the roofing surface, are an indication that water has seeped between the layers of roofing and could be leaking into the building. If they are caught early, a roofing replacement may be avoided, or at the very least, contained to a relatively small section of the roof.
3) Look out for cracking within the roof surface. Similar to blistering, these cracks allow water and other elements to seep through the roof, potentially ending up inside the structure and causing further damage. Regular maintenance and flat roofing repairs can help eliminate these issues before they cause more serious damage.
Flat roofs will likely remain the top choice for commercial roofing structures due to its ease of maintenance and installation, however it is certainly in business owners’ best interest to be aware of the early signs of damage to help prolong the life of their roofs and ultimately protect their infrastructure.