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Maintenance is the key to preserving the integrity of your flat roofing system. You’ll want to have your roof inspected at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Though a professional inspector would be performing any needed inspection, as the building owner, you should be responsible enough to be aware of potential issues with your roof.
Keeping on the lookout for these scenarios will help you ensure your roof is performing at its best.
Accumulating Water
If your roof is accumulating water and it does not disappear or evaporate within 48 hours, then you have a problem. Ponding water can cause membrane degradation resulting from exposure to magnified UV rays, algae presence, or accelerated heat aging. Preventing this requires keeping a close eye on your roofing system through the year, especially if there has been any recent rain. You’ll want to be on the lookout for any signs of this issue. Should your roof be experiencing any ponding water, contact a roofing professional right away. Leaving this type of issue unresolved leads to bigger and more expensive problems.
Blistering
When examining your roofing system, check for sections of raised strips on the top surface, which is known as “blistering” of the materials. Neglected blisters can cause serious issues for your flat roofing system because it has the tendency to trap liquid between sections of the membrane. As this liquid evaporates, it expands and augments your roof. Attending to roof blisters as soon as you notice them can prevent water from seeping into your roofing system and thus preventing degradation. Have you noticed blistering lately?
Cracking
Cracking in your roofing system can be caused by a variety of factors such as damage from UV rays or even poor workmanship from the original installation. Surface stress from the excessive weight on your roof is also another factor to blame. Regardless of the cause, cracking can lead to more serious problems if not addressed as soon as its discovered.
Snow Build-Up
Snow won’t slide off your roofing system the way it would on a sloped roof. Excessive snow buildup can overload the roofing system and can cause it to collapse. Another issue that might arise is if snow is not attended to accordingly and begins collecting because it wasn’t drained properly. If you’re inexperienced in removing snow, don’t hesitate to hire a professional if snow has accumulated on your roof, most especially if it’s more than a foot. Taking risks to do it yourself can cause serious injuries if you’re not experienced. Always call a professional if you’re not sure or have never done it before.
RELATED POST: Safely removing snow from a roof
Loose Fasteners
Loose fasteners can’t anchor the roofing system to your building the way it was designed to do. And when your fasteners become loose, your roof will be more susceptible to wind damage and potential tear off. The type of fasteners to be used on your roofing system is specified on the installation instructions. If your contractor used a different one, your warranty could be voided.
Maintenance routines should be scheduled immediately after your roofing system is constructed. Asking relevant questions during each roofing inspection can ensure that your roof and the building as a whole is protected from danger.
Experiencing roof issues or damage? Give 5-Star Roofing and Restoration a call at 205.518.8433 or (251) 405-3553 and get a FREE estimate on residential or commercial roof work.
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