Advice On Maintaining A Flat Roof

Because it does not drain itself, a flat roof can prove a challenge to maintain. Still, there are certain strategies by roof repair service in San Mateo that offer help to a building owner that seeks to schedule performance of roof maintenance at a suitable level.

Give the roof some breathing room.

Limit the number of trees in the area of the flat-roofed building. The building’s roof should be at least one yard from the nearest branch on the closest tree. That does more than reduce the number of leaves and twigs that fall onto the roof’s surface.

It also cuts down in the amount of moss that can fall from a branch onto the flat rooftop. Once it falls onto that structure, it tends to grow on that structure’s surface. Growing moss can create a crack in a hardened surface, and no building owner wants cracked roofing.

Keep the roof’s surface clean

Clean it at least once a month. Remove the debris. This is best done with a leaf blower. Someone must climb a ladder, in order to reach the level of the debris-filled area.

Consider investing in coating for roofs

An acrylic coating has been designed for a roof with a slight slope. A silicone coating delivers a greater level of water resistance, but a reduced level of durability. Installation of either coating costs a good deal of money. Despite that added cost, the future savings tend to balance out that additional expense. A coated roof should get an extra 10 years added to its normal lifespan.

Check for leaks

Pay special attention to the seams in the roofing. An undesirable crack is most apt to form in the area of a seam. Realize that water can slip through the smallest of cracks, and thus make that open space all the wider. Do not overlook the underside of the roof, which can be viewed from the attic. Make a point of going into the attic and examining the roof from that location. In addition to checking for leaks, look for the formation of brown spots.

Arrange for regular inspections.

Each of those should be done by someone that is a specialist in roofing. Ideally, that inspector should visit the building with the flat roof at least 3 times per year. If a major weather event like a storm takes place, then plans should be made for an additional inspection.

Study the condition of the roof’s drainage system.

It becomes next to impossible to maintain a roof properly, if the rooftop structure does not have a good drainage system. Remember that the water drains into the gutters. Be sure to keep the gutters clean. Make a point of removing any debris on a regular basis.