If you own or manage a building with a flat roof, whether residential or commercial, you probably benefit from ease of roof access, simpler snow removal, and increased energy efficiency that flat roofs offer. However, flat roofs aren’t a perfect business or home roofing solution. There are specific signs of flat roof damage to look out for, and scheduling maintenance and repair for any damage now will save you time and money in the long run.
If you see any of the following signs of flat roof damage, it’s best to contact our experts in roof repair in Bergen County, and we’ll help you get your roof back to the way it should be.
(Scheduling maintenance up on top of your building and thinking about your chimney(s)? Also, read up on the best time for chimney repair.)
Puddles
Standing water still on your flat roof a few hours after a rainstorm is a red flag that your roof’s drainage systems aren’t doing their job. Pools of water sitting on your roof for too long can cause water damage, which can include anything from surface damage to damage penetrating into the roof’s membrane. Wouldn’t you prefer a few water spots left over after a minor repair instead of having to undergo full roof replacement? Contact a roofing expert ASAP.
Mold Growth
Mold growth is a sign of flat roof damage because mold won’t grow unless water is already inside of your roof in places where it shouldn’t be. If mold growth is caught early, it can be removed without problems, but large amounts of mold can indicate that something more harmful is going on. If you’re a business owner, you have a responsibility to keep your customers and team members safe, especially if your business is open to the public. Commercial roofing contractors will need to evaluate if your roof is structurally safe underneath the mold before you assume you can allow people to live or work in the building.
Cracks in Coating
It’s not always a huge red flag to see small cracks on your roof, but a large number of cracks or particularly deep cracks in TPO roofing (a popular kind of eco-friendly flat roofing) indicate you might need the coating reapplied. Sometimes roof repair in these situations is as simple as filling the cracks and reapplying the coating, but if the cracks go deep enough, professional roofing contractors might need to add a few more protective layers or decide that your needs are best met using other roofing materials.
Loose or Missing Flashing
Flat roofs are secured to the house itself with seams. The coverings for these seams are called flashing, and it does an important job protecting seams from wear and tear. If your flashing is coming loose or pieces are missing, it’s definitely time to give roofing experts a call. Keeping your flashing intact and healthy can be a simple and affordable way to extend the life of your roof.
Membrane Tears
EPDM roofs (also sometimes called rubber roofs) have black surfaces called “roof membranes” as the first line of protection against the elements. The dark, almost coarse texture of this particular roof surface makes rips or tears easy to see if you use a flashlight and take a close look. Small rips and tears are patchable, but larger tears might indicate your roof isn’t structurally sound due to continued exposure to water or ice. Either way, no matter what kind of tears in your roof’s membrane you see, we recommend roof repair to keep your building safe and dry.
Leaks
If your home keeps leaking from the ceilings closest to your roof, it can be a clear sign of flat roof damage. A roof leak is dangerous because it means water has permeated throughout the whole roof at every layer, and the roof may need complete replacement. A problem even worse than drips or leaks is sagging ceilings. If any of your ceilings are sagging, it might actually save your life or property to call roofing contractors as soon as possible because it is one of the warning signs that you are at risk of a collapsed roof.
Your roof system is more complex than you think, and a lot of care goes into making sure it does what it needs to do. The best way to protect your roof in the future is to take care of it now. Schedule roof inspection every six months to a year and catch signs of flat roof damage before they turn into big problems. Contact Capital T Construction today, and we can help give you peace of mind.