Need help maintaining your flat roof? Call Eustis Roofing at 352-343-4240.
Flat roofs have grown in popularity in recent years due to their versatility and functionality. They can become lounge areas, BBQ areas, or flower and vegetable gardens. They can also become storage spaces for ladders, hoses, and other maintenance equipment.
However, the main drawback of having a flat roof is the drainage issues that come with it. Maintaining a flat roof properly prevents problems from worsening. For those who have a flat roof (or those who may be installing one soon), we’ve put together a comprehensive list of steps to ensure the roof stays healthy and aesthetically pleasing.
For the most reliable and professional roofing contractor in Leesburg, FL, call Eustis Roofing.
What Is Roof Maintenance?
Roof maintenance is work performed on commercial and residential roofs to spot and treat signs of wear. Flat roof owners should inspect them biannually and after major storms to ascertain whether anything needs repair or replacement. Here in Florida, we tend to have some pretty harsh storms, so it’s best to check your roof anytime one of these storms occurs.
When maintaining a flat roof, include the following steps:
1. Flat Roof Inspection
Inspect your roof regularly to stay ahead of problems and minimize repair costs. You can do a visual inspection or have a roofing company do it, whichever makes you most comfortable. While inspecting your flat roof, look for
- Cracks in the roofing material
- Leaks in the roof surface
- Blockages in the draining system
- Signs of aging
- Other visible damage
For professional roof inspection in Leesburg, FL, and surrounding areas, Eustis Roofing has experienced professionals you can trust to detect signs of trouble and fix them fast.
2. Find and Eliminate Debris
Flat roofs collect more debris than sloped ones, so they need routine cleanings. Clear away any sticks and branches and gently sweep up all dirt and leaves. Don’t procrastinate when it comes to roof cleaning because debris can cause severe damage if not cleaned quickly.
3. Repair Roof Seams and Membrane
A major key to maintaining a flat roof is preventing leaks, which means keeping your roof’s membrane and seams intact. These components are especially vulnerable to leakage where the roof has additions like air conditioners, air vents, and skylights built into it.
Bombarding the sun’s UV rays on your roof will also damage the membrane over time. Look for tears or punctures in the membrane material, and fix any ineffective seams or areas of the membrane before the problem worsens, resulting in more property damage.
4. Replace Your Old Flashings
Flashings are weatherproofing barriers comprised of thin pieces of metal that cover the area where the roof surface meets an opposing surface, like a chimney or parapet wall. Flashings are essential for preventing water leaks in especially vulnerable areas. Because of your roof’s flashings’ constant exposure to moisture, they can loosen and deteriorate, eventually requiring replacement.
5. Clear Any Clogging Away
Components like vents, drains, and scuppers can clog after heavy storms. Scuppers provide an outlet for water to pass through parapet walls or gravel stops on the edge of a roof and down into the drainage system. Keeping your gutters, vents, drains, and scuppers clear increases the lifespan of your roofing materials and your drainage system.
6. Prune Trees That Can Damage the Roof
If you have trees near your roof or trees with branches that hang over your house, keep them trimmed. Sticks and branches can scratch and puncture your roof membrane. Keeping nearby tree branches trimmed minimizes the chance of them damaging your roof.
7. Check for Roof Blistering
Check for areas of the roof membrane that have raised air bubbles underneath them. These blisters, if not addressed, can burst and allow rainwater to seep in, causing damage. Using quality roofing products from Conklin can help prevent such issues and ensure the longevity of your flat roof.
8. Look for Pooling Water
Pooling water or “ponding” on your roof signifies that an area of your roof isn’t draining properly. If you find large rings of dirt surrounding sunken areas on your roof, this is the aftermath of ponding that has dried up. To prevent serious structural damage, your drainage system needs immediate repairs or reconfiguration.
9. Check the Plumbing Stacks
These are pipes that come out of your roof, control the air pressure of your plumbing system, and release methane and other gases from the plumbing. Ensure nothing is blocking them and that they have a healthy seal around them. Blockages in your plumbing stacks can offset the air pressure in your plumbing and create expensive problems.
10. Keep Your Pitch Pans Full
Pitch pans are open-bottom, flanged containers that surround and protect roof penetrations. They hold a pourable thick sealer that keeps seams and connections safe from weather damage. Pitch pans are easy to build and maintain and vital to the health of your roofing materials. Keeping your roof’s pitch pans clean and full can keep your roof and its underlying structure strong and functional.
11. Fix Issues Immediately
If you decide to visually inspect your roof on your own and you find leaks, cracks, or other damage, address the issues immediately. Putting off these kinds of repairs will only result in worse problems and more expensive repairs. If you don’t fix issues with your roof quickly, you’ll likely be replacing the entire roof down the road.
Regular maintenance of your flat roof keeps problems from getting out of hand and keeps costs low.
Call Eustis Roofing Today!
Maintaining a flat roof may seem like more work than it’s worth. However, the truth is that flat roofs can be a great place to bond with friends and family or try new hobbies like stargazing, birdwatching, or gardening, so they need proper maintenance.
For reliable roof inspection and quality roof repair in Leesburg, FL, and surrounding areas, Eustis Roofing is here for you. Read here to learn more about the causes of roof leaks, and call us at 352-343-4240 for any questions.
