Flat Roof Replacement
To begin, flat roofing is not actually flat.
One of the most important components of your home, office, or business is its roof. The roofing on your building ensures that the building is protected and safe from the elements. Flat roofing is a type of roofing that requires thought and precision in order to function properly and protect your home, office, or business.
To begin, flat roofing is not actually flat. A slight gradient is required to allow rainwater to flow off the roof. If the roof isn’t built properly, rainwater will pond. Ponding will eventually lead to leaking, no matter what flat roof covering you use. There are several choices for flat roof covering.
Tar and gravel roofing begins with a waterproof base layer. Roofing felt and tar are layered on top of the base layer. Finally, gravel is placed on top as a ballast. Tar and gravel is an older form of flat roof covering. It can be difficult to install and locate leaks as it ages. An updated version of tar and gravel roofing called modified bitumen is beginning to replace traditional tar and gravel roofing. Modified bitumen is a membrane made from layers of polymer-modified bitumen. It is applied by heating the underside of the fabric and rolling it on.
Rubber flat roof coverings are also known as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer). Rubber roofing is a newer flat roof option. It is made of rubber similar to an inner tube. Properly installed, rubber roofing can withstand a wide variety of weather and ultraviolet rays. The final choice for flat roofing is PVC or vinyl covering. These are applied in rolls and heat-welded at the seams. PVC and vinyl roofing are very pliable and extremely durable, resisting heat and punctures. However, PVC coverings are incompatible with asphalt. Separator sheets must be installed between asphalt and vinyl to prevent the deterioration of the membranes.
If your home, office, or business currently has a flat roof, it is important to regularly inspect your roofing. Regular maintenance is the key to protecting your environment and solving potential problems quickly. Small problems can quickly become big. Every small crack or bubble in your roofing indicates a leak. Waiting to repair a minor leak could cause you to have to replace your entire roof. Flat roofing can be delicate and complicated. Simply spreading roofing cement over a crack may sound easy, but could actually make the problem worse. It’s not as simple as cutting open a bubble and pasting on more roofing material. These quick fixes often do not deal with the main problem.
Many property owners feel they can complete repairs on their own to save time and money. There are a multitude of do it yourself tutorials available which may make repairing your flat roof sound easy. Keep in mind that it is not as easy as it may sound. Finding leaks on a flat roof can be very challenging. Water is tricky and can travel far from a defect in one layer to another. Qualified roofing contractors have the experience necessary to properly diagnose and repair flat roofing. They can also evaluate the entire structure to determine the health of your roof. Roofing experts will know if your roof design is sound and make recommendations that will save you time and money in the future.
Improperly repaired flat roofing can lead to a wide range of problems. Rodents could gain access to your property. Structural damage could occur. Toxic mold could take hold. Your entire roof could collapse. Leaking roofing is also a fire hazard. If your roof is not performing, it is not protecting your property. The best way to avoid serious damage is to check with a professional. Accent Roofing of Amarillo has the experience you need to get the job done right the first time. Our number one goal is customer satisfaction and safety. Let us take care of your flat roof today.
