A simple fact is, flat roofs will always last longer if you maintain them properly. Thankfully, maintenance is easy – and will most often just involve routine inspections and little work. So, if you’re looking to keep your roof in the best condition, and lasting as long as possible, here’s what you should know.
Remember to Inspect Your Flat Roof
Each day, your roof is exposed to the elements; rain, wind, sun, snow and more. Over time, anything that is left outside will begin to wear. So, for flat roofs, finding a small issue before it turns into a more developed problem is ideal – that is why inspections are so important.
You should ideally inspect your roof at least twice a year, once in the spring, and once in autumn. In the winter months, it doesn’t harm to check your flat roof after any periods of harsh weather.
You’ll need to look for any excessive wear and tear, leaks or problem areas.
Things to look out for when inspecting your flat roof:
- Check the coating.
Check over the coating of your flat roof, making sure the whole thing is still intact. If anything has landed onto the roof with force it could break the coating.
- Inspect the drainage system.
Look out for clogging in the drainage system – anything causing blockages in the gutters or downspouts. Flat roofs don’t have many options in terms of drainage, so if these are clogged up then water will have nowhere else to go. If it pools up on your roof it can cause issues.
- Checking the joints.
If your flat roofing system has expansion joints, then you should check the rubber parts for any signs of damage.
- Removing debris.
Debris removal is so important if you want to keep your roof in the best shape possible. If you need to remove leaves, branches and other debris, you must do so carefully. Use a stable ladder or scaffolding to access your roof, and always have someone spotting you.
During snowy seasons, you will need to carefully shove this off.
- Check the ceilings.
Inside your home, routinely check the ceiling under your flat roof for signs of leaking water. This can be darker patches or signs of mould growth.
Inspections are important, but they offer little value if needed repairs are not followed up on. If you think that your flat roof has reached the end of its lifespan, then you should contact a professional roofer for a replacement.
At MG Roofing, we offer different types of flat roofing including EPDM and fibreglass. Contact us today for a quote.
