Some Common Problems with Flat Roofing and How to Minimize Them

If your home has a flat roof, or if you are considering building your new home with one, then there are a few things you should know about flat roofs and roofing materials. A flat roof can make the best use of space available in your home, but if it is not maintained well, it can cause problems and cost hundreds of dollars to repair.

Some common problems:

1. A flat roof depends on a slight slope or the material of the roofing to ensure proper water runoff. If the roofing is damaged and pools of standing water 'pond' on the roof, this can cause a lot of damage to the roof structure. 

2. The joints where the roof meets the parapet are reinforced with metal strips called 'flashings'. These may develop holes, cracks, rust and other problems that can cause seepage of water below the roof layers.

3. Flat roofing materials such as asphalt and tar have a short life span (about 10 to 15 years) when compared to the slate and shingle of sloping roofs.

What you can do:

1. Get your roof inspected regularly. Three times a year is a recommended frequency you should follow. This is particularly important if there are a lot of trees near your home, since leaves can clog drains and cause puddles of standing water to form.

2. In winter, check your roof after a heavy snowfall, especially during a thaw. Ensure that ice and snow is not clogging the drains. If low-lying areas have developed on your roof, you need to build these up with new surfaces to make sure water drains off well.

3. If you find places on your roof that have become soft, it might be because water has seeped in between the layers of the roofing. The roofing in these places need to be cut out and replaced. Closely look at the edges of the roof where it meets the walls for signs of seepage.

4. If there are cracks on the surface, you may need to get your old roof stripped and new roofing reinstalled. You can consider an upgrade of your roofing material.

Are you looking for professionals to advise you about the best available flat roofing? Minneapolis has a number of construction companies that can help you. Choose the roofing that fits your budget. But ensure that that you give your family a secure roof over their heads by seeking the advice of the best in the business.