Whether for residential or commercial purposes, flat roofs carry a multitude of advantages, such as heat absorption, solar panel installation and ease of access. However, this roofing system does include a few drawbacks.
In this post, State Roofing lists seven common flat roof problems that you should keep an eye out for.
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Standing Water – Standing water is the most common problem and the primary cause of roofing leaks, whether sloped or flat. If the water accumulated on your flat roof isn’t drained within 72 hours, it’s likely your roof is too flat or there’s sufficient drainage. Otherwise, the water that has pooled in your roof can cause damage to the structure.
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Blistering – Also known as alligatoring, blistering is the result of trapped moisture causing the roof’s membrane to detached from the layer below. This problem can get worse during the day when the sun’s heat causes the moisture to expand and cause additional cracks, leaks and the complete failure of the roof if left unchecked for too long.
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Thermal Movement – The never-ending cycle of heating and cooling can cause flat roofing to expand and contract. This can eventually cause cracking under pressure and allow water to penetrate the roof.
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Exposed Layers – In time, it’s only natural for the flat roof’s protective layers to suffer some wear and tear, especially if it sees a large amount of foot traffic. Add fluctuating weather into the mix and it’s highly possible for these layers to be exposed. Call a roofing contractor to repair your flat roof as soon as possible should this occur to your roofing system.
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Poor Quality Flashing – When inspecting your roof, it’s also important that you have the flashing’s conditions checked. Since it’s used to prevent water penetration, poorly installed or damaged flashing can further damage your flat roof.
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Debris – Unlike the sloped roofs often seen in residential roofing, debris can easily be caught on flat roofs. Due to the lack of a slope, leaves, branches and other types of debris can easily collect on your flat roof and block the drainage. Furthermore, large piles of leaves that aren’t removed can hold moisture that can cause damage to the flat roof.
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Shorter Lifespan – Despite expert installation, flat roofs last a 15-30 years. If your home has a flat roof, you may need to anticipate a replacement in the near future.
To make your roofing company search a little easier on you, simply turn to State Roofing. We are your leading provider of residential roofing and painting services. Give us a call at [company_phone] or fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Tacoma, Kirkland and other nearby areas in WA.