6 Facts About Flat Roof Repair You Should Know About

Did you know that most roofs are designed to last for only about 30 years before they need to be replaced?

Three decades is a projection that assumes you’ve been taking care of your roof. If you haven’t been maintaining it, then it could need replacement sooner, not to mention plenty of repairs in the meantime. If you’re in the market for a new roof, you should consider getting a flat one.

Are you wondering what you need to know? Keep reading to learn all about six facts relating to flat roof repair.

1. Bird Droppings Can Cause Damage

A flat roofing contractor will tell you how important it is to ensure your flat roof is cleaned on a regular basis. While cleaning your roof is important for the overall aesthetic look of your home, it’s also an important part of roof maintenance. If you let the dirt and debris build up, then you can expect to invest in many more expensive repairs over the course of the roof’s life.

You may be surprised to know that bird droppings, in particular, can wreak havoc on the health of your roof. The longer these droppings are left there, the more damage they’ll do. While you could get lucky with the rain washing them off, for instance, you shouldn’t count on that as your main method of damage prevention.

The bird droppings are destructive because of the ingredient known as uric acid. This substance is highly corrosive and can eat through all kinds of materials, including paint, wax, and the cover of your flat roof.

It’s a good idea to prevent birds from perching around your roof in the first place. You’ll be glad to know that there are a variety of solutions available to you. For example, you could put spikes along the edges of your roof, which is where birds like to perch most of all.

When it comes to deterring them from landing on the flat or sloped areas, there’s always the possibility of a bird scarecrow. These devices can move and wiggle in the wind, confusing birds so that they stay clear of your home.

If they’re still finding ways to come back, you could install speakers that play the noises their predators make. As an extra precaution, be sure to clear out nests and nest material from your gutters.

2. Water Pools Can Lead to Rotting

Any knowledgeable commercial flat roofing contractor will explain to you how flat roofs can become more susceptible to water damage than regular roofs. Put in the simplest terms, this is due to the fact that flat roofs don’t have the kind of angles that make for an easy flow of water.

If you live in a place that is often rainy or quite humid, then you’ll want to pay close attention to how your roof interacts with the water it encounters. If you don’t have a proper drainage system to complement your beautiful flat roof, then there’s a high chance your roof could have one or more puddles.

The longer these puddles persist on your roof instead of being drained away, the more damage will occur.

Of course, a roof is designed to withstand water, but a stagnant pool is a different story. Over time, the water will begin to deteriorate the exterior portion of the roof. If given the chance, the water can even start leaking through the roof.

This kind of problem is similar to a domino effect. Once the roof is breached, the water can warp the wood that maintains the structure of your home and can even start leaking through the ceiling. Aside from water dripping from above, you may start to notice damp and discolored patches.

From there, it’s not long until mold starts growing and spreading throughout your home. Black mold and other kinds of fungi can wreak havoc on the health of your family by releasing spores and other pollutants into the air, all of which can cause respiratory problems and more.

Instead of dealing with this never-ending nightmare, it’s always best to prevent water from pooling on your roof in any serious amount.

3. Old Asphalt Will Crack

No matter how well you treat your roof, it’s going to feel start feeling the effects of age at one point or another. When it comes to flat roofs, you need to pay close attention to the asphalt, in particular. Given enough time, the asphalt will start to lose its elasticity.

As you might know, asphalt can expand or contract depending on the temperature. Without the elasticity to endure these consistent changes, the asphalt will crack. Some of the cracks will start off small, but most of them will get bigger the longer they’re left untreated.

These cracks will start to let water in and then you’ll have a mold problem all over again. While it’s possible to spackle these cracks, this solution is often far from permanent. There will come a time when you’ll have no choice but to replace the flat roof’s asphalt as a whole.

Depending on the nature of an asphalt crack, it could compromise the entire structure of the roof. This is why it’s so important to act fast instead of letting the issue get worse.

As soon as you see one or more cracks in your roof, it’s important to search “flat roofing contractors near me” and find reliable professionals who can nip the problem in the bud before it costs you even more money.

If you live in an area that experiences more extreme fluctuations in temperature, then your chances of asphalt cracking are much higher. However, no flat roof is immune to this issue and it’s often a matter of time before it shows up, which is why you should always be vigilant.

4. DIY Roof Repair Is Not Advisable

From declogging sinks to installing new fixtures, there’s plenty you can do around the home to save money, but repairing your flat roof yourself isn’t something you should try. After all, residential flat roof contractors have been both trained and licensed.

Unlike other types of roofs, a flat roof is often more complicated in its overall structure. In fact, a flat roof isn’t as flat as you might imagine. Rather, flat roofs have a slope to them that often amounts to about a quarter of an inch per foot.

With this in mind, it can be just as easy to fall from a flat roof as any other kind of roof. Even if you manage to complete a DIY repair on your flat roof, there’s a high chance that you’d end up damaging the attic, the walls, the framing, or even the electrical wiring that runs throughout your home.

Are you thinking of doing the quick and cheap fix of doubling up on your roof layers when there’s damage present? You should think again because adding another layer will only hide the damage as it continues to get worse. This is due to the fact that another layer won’t stop the deterioration.

This can cause you to spend a lot more than you would have otherwise. It’s better to put your time and energy into finding a flat roof contractor who has the training and experience necessary to maintain your roof in the safest way possible.

If your roof already has portions that were double-layered from a previous owner, for instance, then that’s a sign you should replace your whole roof and start with a clean slate.

5. You Can Avoid Damage Through Airflow

You may be surprised to learn that roofs need to breathe in order to survive. While your attic may not have a pair of lungs, airflow is one of the most important factors when it comes to a healthy roof. Whenever you hear roof contractors talk about roof ventilation, then you should know that this refers to the amount of air that makes it under the roof’s deck.

The reason airflow is so important is that it can let humid and warm air escape while at the same time allowing cool and drier air inside. Without this regular exchange of air, your attic will have a moisture problem. Over time, this moisture will get worse.

If you don’t fix the airflow, the moisture can create problems that are similar to a roof leak. The difference is that the moisture will be almost everywhere. Everything from the wood, the walls, and even the insulation can start to rot away. The dampness will also become a nursery for all kinds of mold and bacteria.

The good news is that there are several solutions for poor roof ventilation. After the issue has been assessed by a professional, they’ll be able to recommend the best course of action. For example, you could have vents installed at the peak of your roof.

Other types of vents include gable vents and soffit vents, both of which can go a long way toward improving your flat roof’s airflow. For extra peace of mind, you could install one or more electrical fans within the attic itself. This is a much more proactive way of pushing that moist air out instead of letting it rise on its own.

6. Flat Roof Repair Can Help Sell Your Home

Are you thinking about selling your home? If so, then you should know that a damaged flat roof can end up ruining your chances of a profitable sale. More homebuyers are putting their foot down when it comes to roof damage.

After all, few if any homebuyers are willing to pay extra money to repair the flat roof of the home they just spent a small fortune on. If you want to get the most money possible for your home, then you should be willing to invest in the best roof repairs.

While not every home investment is going to pay off, flat roof repair is one that is a lot less risky and a lot more certain in terms of return on investment.

The other benefit of paying for a roof repair before putting your home on the market involves time. It’s not unheard of for a home to be on the market for months or even longer than a year. With a new roof, on the other hand, you can expect to sell your home a lot quicker than you would have otherwise.

With more money in your pocket in a shorter amount of time, what’s not to like?

Did you know that the structure of flat roofs allows you to install a garden? Few things look as majestic as a beautiful garden on the roof of a home. This could be the final touch that allows you to win over every potential homebuyer and maybe even start a bidding war that can only end in your favor.

Depending on the size of your flat roof, you could install a gym or even a pool. The best flat roof contractors will have the expertise and resources to not only repair your roof but also enhance it in any way possible.

Are You Ready for Flat Roof Repair?

Now that you’ve learned all about six facts relating to flat roof repair, you can make sure your roof is always in good shape. After all, having a roof over your family’s heads is a necessity.

Reliance Roofing is a company you can put your full trust in. Our team of trained experts can make sure you get the most beautiful and sturdy roof on the market. We can also service your roof in other ways, including repairs and inspections so that you can always have peace of mind.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us.