Today’s homeowners are doing away with the traditional and embracing the modern in more ways than just terrific interior design. More and more homes have beautifully modern flat roofs instead of sloped gable roofs. Flat roofs are striking, but they also come with their own special set of maintenance requirements.
If you have a home with a flat roof, you may not have a flat roof maintenance plan. Unfortunately, that can cost you a ton of money down the road. Read on to learn everything you need to know to keep your flat roof in great shape!
Think About Drainage
You know that flat roofs are aesthetically pleasing, but you’re probably wondering why they require special consideration when it comes to maintenance. The biggest difference between a flat and a gabled roof is that they don’t have gravity on their side.
Gabled roofs are pitched steep enough that water runs off of them and into gutters and drains. Flat roofs are gently sloped to allow for water to run off, but they do require more mechanisms to ensure that water doesn’t pool. Three of those mechanisms are gutters, scuppers, and internal drains.
Gutters
Like all types of roofs, flat roofs require gutters in order to move water down and away from the house. They’re installed along the outside edges of the roofs and are essential for your house. With the right gutters, that you can hire a company to install like this gutter guards richmond firm, you won’t notice they’re there, and you can preserve the aesthetic appeal of your flat roof.
Scuppers
Gutters often work hand-in-hand with scuppers. They’re essentially a type of chute within the outside walls of your home that go from the top of the roof to the bottom floor. Water flows from the roof down to a specific area away from your house.
The biggest plus to adding scuppers to your home is that they protect your roof and your home’s foundation. If you deal with frequent flooding or heavy rains, scuppers are a must.
Internal Drains
If you have major concerns about the impact of water on your roof, then internal drains are a great way to go. A roofing professional installs them at all of the lower points on your roof to collect water. That water is then drained to a point in the ground and away from your home.
Regular Flat Roof Maintenance Is Key
Every flat roof guide will tell you that you shouldn’t wait for there to be issues to take action. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your roof in good shape and identify small issues before they become major ones.
Start by hiring a professional to come out and do routine inspections on a regular basis. They’ll make sure that all of your drainage systems are in good working order. If there are any repairs necessary, they’ll give you a list and let you know which things are a priority and how much they’ll cost you.
In between inspections, there are also some tasks you need to complete to preserve the integrity of your roof.
Keep Foliage at Bay
The first thing you need to do is to ensure that any trees that grow near your roof are kept trimmed. If any branches or leaves fall on your roof, be sure to have a plan in place for clearing them off on a regular basis. If you don’t feel comfortable removing those items, there are professionals (arborists or roofers) who can help.
Reduce Roof Weight
One of the biggest rules in flat roof care is that you want to ensure that they don’t carry too much weight. This isn’t a huge undertaking in southern states, but if you live in a place that gets a lot of snow, you need to take a few extra steps.
Add your roof to your snow removal checklist. Snow is heavy and can damage your roof. It can also hide other debris that was on your roof prior to the snowfall.
Watch for Common Roof Care Issues
Part of your flat roof maintenance plan should include watching for potential issues with your roof. The following items are clear signs that you need to have a professional come check out your roof.
Ponding
Ponding occurs when your roof’s drainage systems aren’t working properly. You might notice indentations on your roof or standing pools of water. The simplest solution to ponding is cleaning your drainage systems, but if that doesn’t work, your roof may require more comprehensive repairs.
Blistering
Folks in southern states are no strangers to scorching summers. Unfortunately, those scorchers can also do a number on your roof thanks to the sun’s UV rays.
Blistering occurs when UV rays cause portions of your roof to bubble up with air pockets. Over time, those air pockets will open up and expose your roof to water damage. Any portion of your roof that has blisters needs to be repaired.
Interior Signs
Sometimes signs that you have a roof problem are only visible inside your home. If you start to see discoloration coming from the ceiling or down the walls, that might be an indicator of a leak. Similarly, if you notice mold or mildew, or their smell, definitely call a professional.
Weather Conditions
Weather can be your roof’s worst enemy. Severe thunderstorms that come with high winds and hail do major damage to all types of roofs. If you’ve recently had a major storm in your area, it’s important to have your roof inspected for damage right away.
Keep Your Residential Roof in Tip Top Shape!
Owning a home with a flat roof is a unique and exciting experience. It also comes with its own set of flat roof maintenance requirements. Thankfully, with a little care and diligence, you’ll be well on your way toward a roof that’ll stay in great shape for years to come!
For some people, knowledge of home maintenance issues is second-nature. The rest of us need a little help from time to time so our homes stay in good working order. If you’re one of those people, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for tons of great home maintenance tips and tricks!
