You may have chosen a flat roof for a variety of reasons – perhaps because it suits the style of your home or building best, or because it’s easier to maintain, or offers better stability. Whatever your reason may be, a flat roof undoubtedly makes for a wise choice, especially if you’re in an area where it seldom or never snows. However, any type of roof is only as good as the way it’s maintained. Flat roofs that aren’t properly maintained can be prone to a myriad of problems. Below are some basic maintenance tips to ensure that your flat roof lasts a long time, and survives its life expectancy without encountering too many problems.

PERFORM REGULAR INSPECTIONS

The key to making a flat roof last longer is to find and fix problems while they are still small. Seldom will a huge problem suddenly appear. Problems often start in the form of small cracks, minor leaks, or a blocked drainage system.

How often should you conduct an inspection? It’s really up to you, but the minimum is twice a year or every six months. If you have time to perform an inspection on a monthly or quarterly basis, it would be better, as small problems can turn into bigger ones quite quickly.

Furthermore, while it makes sense to schedule inspections twice a year, it certainly won’t hurt to arrange for an additional roof inspection and evaluation after heavy rainfall or snow.

PART I: BASIC FLAT ROOF MAINTENANCE TIPS

FIX THE PROBLEM AS SOON AS YOU FIND IT

Problems with your roofing need to be fixed as soon as they’re discovered. Delays could lead to bigger issues if seemingly small and inconsequential things are dismissed or set aside for another day. Moreover, while DIY patch-up jobs could offer a temporary solution, don’t count on your inexperienced hands to provide the same level of work skill as a well-experienced roofing contractor can. Having a professional do the repairs will ensure that the problem is indeed fixed, and that your roof is once again capable of providing your home with adequate protection.

AVOID DAMAGING THE ROOF

It’s tempting to store materials, equipment, and other items on a flat roof, but doing so increases your risk of damaging the roof’s surface. If you do decide to store equipment on your roof, make sure that you avoid placing them directly on the roof surface. It would be a good idea to place them over a plank of plywood or a similar material to lower the risk of damaging the roof.

Performing regular maintenance on your roof will make it last longer, but don’t expect it to last forever. Even a regularly maintained roof will still succumb to damage over time. In part II, we discuss how to spot serious issues that typically indicate that your roof needs replacement soon.

PART I: BASIC FLAT ROOF MAINTENANCE TIPS

In Part I, we discussed some basic maintenance tips to ensure that your flat roof reaches the end of its average lifespan – or even that it lasts a bit longer than that. However, well-maintained roofs will still need to be replaced at some point. The question is, how will you know when your roof needs to be replaced? Below, we’ll discuss the telltale signs that your flat roof is already begging for the attention of a professional roofer. LEAKS THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED

The most common sign that a roof needs to be replaced is when a leak simply can’t be found to be repaired. Flat roofs have layers. A crack may appear at one section of the roof, but the leak on the ceiling underneath may not necessarily appear directly beneath it – it could manifest itself several feet away. If you can’t find the source of the leak by yourself, and it looks like sections of your ceiling are possibly threatening to fall apart, you definitely need to call your contractor and have your roof assessed.

DAMAGED INSULATION

All flat roofs have insulation. There are different types of insulation, but as with everything else in the home, insulation’s bound to wear out at some point. A common sign of damaged insulation is blisters. If blisters start to form and sections of the roof seem to be soft, there’s a good chance that the insulation is damaged, which tells you that you need to contact a roofing contractor.

PART II: HOW’S YOUR ROOF? SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR IN FLAT ROOFS

CHECK FOR LARGE CRACKS

If over the last few years you’ve been repairing a good number of leaks every so often, there’s a good chance that the integrity of the roofing structure itself has already been affected. If you notice large cracks beginning to form, you definitely need to call your roofer.

Flat roofs may be sturdy, but they will need to be replaced at some point. However, some signs of damage may only be a common flat roof issue that can still be resolved. An honest roofing contractor will tell you if you need a replacement or if the issue can still be fixed using the techniques we’ll describe in Part III of this series.

PART II: HOW’S YOUR ROOF? SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR IN FLAT ROOFS

Does your roof really need a replacement or is what you’re seeing a common flat roof issue that can still be fixed? In Part II, we discussed when you should call a roofing contractor to have your roof assessed. Below, we discuss some common flat roof issues and first-aid techniques. However, remember that temporary fixes are meant to be just that – temporary. You should call a qualified roofing contractor to make a permanent fix.

WATER POOLING

The most common problem with flat roofs is water pooling. If the small pools of water that form on your roof last for 48 hours or more, that’s a sign that your roof already has a problem. Check the roof’s drainage system for any blockages. If you can’t find any, you should call a roofing contractor to identify the exact problem and provide a permanent fix.

FUNGAL GROWTH

If you spot fungus, it’s a sign that there’s a leak or excessive humidity and moisture. Always use the proper safety equipment when removing fungus. You certainly don’t want to inhale fungus or even touch it. You can also have a high-quality dehumidifier installed to remove excess humidity and prevent fungal growth. However, if you still notice growth, it’s best to call a roofing contractor to assess the situation and provide a solution.

PART III: COMMON FLAT ROOF ISSUES AND BASIC FIRST AID

FLASHING DAMAGE

Fungal growth is also a sign that your flashing may be damaged. If you can, take the time to inspect the flashing and look for obvious signs of damage. If the damage isn’t too severe, you might be able to fix it yourself, if you know how. However, if you have any concerns that your fix might not be a permanent solution, it wouldn’t hurt to call a roofing contractor to ensure that the damage is fixed properly and the rest of the roof is inspected.

Flat roofs are sturdy and provide you with extra space if you need it. However, like any type of roof, they do need to be maintained properly so that they’ll last longer. Having a professional perform the needed repairs will also assure you that a small problem won’t become a major issue that could threaten the very structure of your building itself over the long term.

PART III: COMMON FLAT ROOF ISSUES AND BASIC FIRST AID

JCB Roofing

JCB Roofing 31 Fort Argyle Lane Savannah, GA 31419

(912) 200-9600(843) 376-3500

JCB-Roofing.com