If you own a commercial building, you’re most likely familiar with the advantages of having a flat roof, including cost-effectiveness, practicality, and safety. However, what you may not be aware of is the maintenance concerns unique to flat roofs and the problems you’re likely to encounter if you don’t keep up with regular inspections and repair. Below, a roofing contractor in Tampa with Aderhold Roofing reviews four of the most common problems that occur in flat roofs and how to best handle them.
Related: 3 Ways Florida Weather Wears at Your Flat Roof
Leaks
One of the most common, if not the most common, problems of flat roofs are leaks. Flat roofs are generally more susceptible to leaks due to their flat surface. Unless the roof is completely level or the appropriate drainage systems are in place, rainwater and runoff is able to pool in any dips or divots in the roof, deteriorating the exterior and shortening the lifespan of your roof. In addition to the fact that leaks will eventually compromise the integrity of your commercial building, they can also lead to the growth of fungus and mold.
Related: Common Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks
Alligatoring
Also known as blistering, alligatoring is a common problem with flat roofs in which trapped moisture is allowed to build up beneath the surface, causing the membrane of the roof to detach from the layer beneath. This problem is referred to as “alligatoring” due to the fact that the roof begins to crack and bubble, resulting in something that looks like the skin of an alligator. What has happened is that the asphalt used to build your flat roof has aged and lost its elasticity over time. If left untreated, the alligatoring will begin to worsen, leading to splits in the membrane and leaks.
If you need commercial roof repair for any of the problems listed, contact Aderhold Roofing. We can have a crew up on your roof in no time to inspect the issue and make repairs as necessary. Regular maintenance is key as, during an inspection, our team can identify and address issues, such as blisters in the roofing membrane or alligatoring, before they are able to grow into larger problems.
Related: Vital Elements Connected to Flat Roof Functionality
Flashing
Flashing is the pieces of metal strips that are applied at any point where your flat roof meets another surface and is important because it prevents water from entering your commercial property. Like other materials, asphalt tends to expand and contract with changing weather and temperatures. Over time, this expansion and contraction can pull the flashing away from the edges and corners of your flat roof, leading to leaks, moisture, and more.
Flashing can also come loose as a result of poor design. If the roofing contractor did not allow for some movement during the process of installation, the membrane can easily break or become damaged. While it may be tempting to locate the source of the leak and repair the flashing yourself, you don’t know the full extent of the issue at a first glance and can easily cause damage to your home and injury to yourself. Exercise precaution and contact a roofing contractor in Tampa to repair the flashing on your flat roof.
Related: How to Prepare for These 3 Critical Roof Repairs
Cracks
Due to the fact that flat roofs tend to have more stress and pressure exerted on them than slanted roofs, they’re considerably more prone to cracking as the pressure increases and begins to become excessive. Both blistering and alligatoring can lead to cracks on your flat roof as well. In the event that your roof does crack, you need to contact a roofing professional immediately as the structural integrity of your roof is compromised and you will mostly likely need a roof replacement.
To speak with a professional about commercial roofing repair in Tampa, or to schedule a consultation, please submit our contact request form.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional counsel.