What You Need To Know: Most Common Flat Roof Questions Answered
There are a lot of questions that commercial roof owners ask when they own a flat roof. Some will be covered below to help you find out more about maintenance, repair issues, and more. The more you know, the easier it will be to keep your flat roof in great condition so you can reduce the repair costs year after year.
Why are so many commercial buildings made with flat roofs?
Flat roofs are extremely economical. They have been around for a long time and therefore many architects use them in commercial buildings automatically. Additionally, a flat roof will reduce the building’s volume. This makes it more energy-efficient. A flat roof also makes it possible to have a patio, a garden, or allow for a variety of activities to take place up there.
Why do flat roofs crack?
Flat roofs have been known to crack relatively easily. Even though there is a layer of asphalt on the roof, it is flat and therefore has the full surface exposed to the sun. When it gets hot, the asphalt cracks. There are also the harmful UV rays that shine down on the roof day in and day out, which can also cause the asphalt and other roofing materials to wear down. Over time, it all splits under pressure, which requires a new roof coating so that there are no maintenance issues that arise.
Why are there low spots in a flat roof?
One of the most common problems in a flat roof is that there are low spots. Much of this has to do with the fact that there is very little drainage. The water from rain starts to pool onto the various areas of the roof.
Over time, the weight of the puddles start to create low spots. This can cause leaks and various other problems. The only way to overcome the low spots is to fill them in. This will help to keep the roof flat, without any holes to cause puddling and pooling.
Why is there such a drainage problem?
Flat roofs have a drainage problem because there is little to no pitch. Many residential roofs have great drainage and that’s because there is a large pitch. The water is able to run down the angles and then into gutters or directly onto the ground.
When a flat roof has poor drainage, you are more likely to see a variety of problems, including leaks. The water won’t go anywhere and therefore the water will drip directly down from the hole that forms. Every time it rains, there will be a leak – until it is taken care of.
What’s the best way to maintain a flat roof?
The best way to maintain a flat roof is to spend some time and effort into the process. You want to do what you can to even out the surface so that you don’t have any kind of ponding. RoofSlope is a product that can be used to fill in the lower spots and get a better pitch. This way, you can have the desired level of drainage and not have to worry about the possibility for leaks.
It’s always a good idea to ask questions about your roof. You may not have had a choice about the kind of roof you got when you bought the property. Now that you have a flat roof, you should know all there is to know about it. It’s the only sure way you can perform annual maintenance on the roof and avoid leaks and other problems.
Learn more about other flat roof ponding solutions by contacting RoofSlope today.
