Flat Roofs: What You Need To Know
Owning a commercial property or a house with a flat roof involves a lot of considerations. Properly maintained flat roofs will outlive their value and improve the aesthetics of a building. Because a new roof is a significant financial investment, we wanted to address the most common questions about flat roofs.
A FLAT ROOF IS NOT AS FLAT AS IT SEEMS
Almost none of them are flat by design. Nearly all flat roofs include a slight slope. This allows water to drain to specific areas of the rooftop. Their pitch is much lower than a residential roof; therefore, they appear flat compared to traditional roofing systems. In the absence of drainage, a flat roof would not last very long, regardless of the material used.
FEATURES OF A FLAT ROOF
It is economical and durable to use flat roofing systems for commercial buildings. You usually save money during construction by choosing a flat roof because it is generally less complex in both roof design and building structure. Various materials can be used for installation. As a result, you can select the best combination of applications to fit your needs. Moreover, they can become multifunctional. You can use flat roofs for solar panels, vegetative planters, or other uses that aren’t possible on sloped roofs. The same is true for a residential flat roof.
FLAT ROOFS ARE LONG-LASTING
Flat roofing is a very durable roofing system. It depends on the material, but they can last 20 to 30 years if properly installed. The majority of the current membranes and assemblies available from the roofing industry are resistant to high wind, hail, fire, ponding water, and UV rays.
FLAT ROOFS ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND ECONOMIC
Thermal materials are used in professionally installed flat roofs to reduce energy costs. A number of these materials can be recycled. With a flat roof, you can lower the amount of conditioned air needed to heat and cool your building’s interior. Consequently, you will save on energy costs. In addition, an owner could install solar panels on their flat roof to reduce their carbon footprint.
FLAT ROOF MAINTENANCE IS MINIMAL
The clogging of drains is one of the most common problems on roofs. It will be necessary to clean the drainage periodically since there is no traditional steep pitch. In addition, debris such as leaves, sticks, and other objects can clog up the drainage system. In order to prevent leaks, the system needs to be checked every quarter. It is easy to perform this type of maintenance.
WARNING SIGNS FOR A FLAT ROOF
Having bubbles, warping, or split seams on your roof is an indication that there is a problem with a flat roof. The layers may be separating, allowing water to get in. In addition, the gasses create pressure on the roofing materials because they have nowhere else to go—resulting in distortion of the roofing materials.
The sagging of a roof results from water accumulating between layers rather than evaporating, so it tends to become dense rather than flowing freely. In addition, materials or insulation may sag due to pressure. In cases when a roof is improperly installed and there are no drains, water will pool. Damage to the flat roof may result. If you notice pooling, call EDCA Roofing for a thorough inspection.
EDCA ROOFING IS YOUR TRUSTED FLAT ROOFING CONTRACTOR
When you need a new flat roof, there are warning signs. However, your flat roof can last for decades if properly installed by a reputable roofer, like EDCA Roofing.
EDCA Roofing can answer any questions you might have about flat roof installation or flat roof maintenance. Owners have long trusted us with the proper installation of flat roofs on their commercial and residential properties.
Contact us today to learn more!