Last week we looked at leaks, blow-offs, and poor workmanship as three common roofing problems found here in the GTA. Flat roofing contractors see not only these, but also several more issues as we will see as we continue our look at common roofing problems.
7. Lack of Maintenance
There are numerous reasons not to neglect your building – including financial implications to name just one. However, if you are not knowledgeable with all structures of your building, problems can arise that should have been taken care of sooner than later. Lack of maintenance is a problem roofing contractors see, and it shouldn’t be.
Routine inspections either by yourself or by a knowledgeable flat roofing contractor should be done at least annually to keep unforeseen problems from creeping up. A bit of pro-activeness can mean the difference between a simple repair and a complete replacement. Take the time to schedule an inspection of your roof or call in a professional regularly.
6. Ponding Water
A flat roof, despite its name, should never be dead flat. Problems arise quickly when architects design completely flat roofs. That is why a qualified construction company will build in a slight slope to all flat roofs. However, not all architects or construction companies are aware of this design flaw. Roofs are sometimes built flat and allow water to sit for long periods of time, which allows it to seep into small holes or cracks in the waterproof membrane.
If the ponding water is removed quickly, through physical removal either by hand or with a standing water pump, the problem is eliminated. However, this is a temporary band-aid to the problem at hand.
A flat roof needs to have a low slope to allow water to drain properly. If this is not done when the building was initially built, then a qualified flat roofing contractor needs to build a slope onto the existing structure. Even a roof with a low slope can develop a low spot that should be fixed immediately. This is where a routine roof inspection plays an important role in prevention.
5. Punctures and Protrusions
All low-sloped roof systems, no matter what type of installation you have, is subject to punctures from foot traffic and falling objects. Punctures in high traffic areas are something that roofing contractors see regularly. This can be eliminated by the addition of walkways between commonly serviced equipment and access points contained on the roof.
Another common area for leaks is protrusions from the roof like vents, mechanical equipment, or other devices necessary for the operation of the business. These need to be properly sealed to prevent leaks and should only be done by a trained roofing professional.
Care must also be taken if pipes or mechanical equipment is removed from the roof. Improperly sealed openings in a low-sloped roof cause disastrous results, which can include structural damage due to water penetration.
As you can see, owning a low-sloped or flat roof requires your periodic attention in order to maintain its water proofing capabilities. If you are unsure if your roof is properly maintained and free from leaks, call your local low-sloped roofing contractor for an inspection.
We will finish our look at the 10 most common roofing problems associated with low-sloped roofs next week as we look at safety, repairs, shrinkage, and blistering.