Flat roofs are a popular choice for commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. They are much more cost-effective, and they provide building owners and property managers with a significant amount of rooftop storage space. However, they do have some drawbacks – flat roofs require lots of regular maintenance, and they are more prone to damages than many other roofing materials.
At Chase Commercial Roofing, we know all about flat roofs, and we’ve spent the last 20 years inspecting and maintaining them throughout the Lynchburg, Virginia, area. If you own or manage a flat roof, industry standards recommend having a professional evaluate and maintain your roof at least twice a year and after any major storms or weather event. Call us today at (757) 276-1110 to schedule your free, no-obligation initial consultation, or read on to learn more about our flat roof repair services.
Reinforce Your Flat Roof With These 4 Repairs
There are many things that can cause your flat roof system to perform poorly. We at Chase Commercial Roofing will never suggest replacing your roof when repairs can improve your building’s comfort and efficiency.
Here are some repairs we suggest when your roof is in good condition but needs upgrading.
Improper Slope
If ponding water is a common problem for your flat roof, the culprit is most likely poor roof slope. The longer water sits on your roof, the more likely it is that it will develop leaks. In these cases, we can correct your roof slope by adding tapered insulation, increasing roof slope to the recommended ¼” per foot or more.
Poor Drainage
Even if your roof does have proper sloping, if your drain system is inadequate, you could still end up with backed-up, standing water on your roof. Poor drainage can often be fixed with a few simple repairs:
- Increase the drain system capacity to accommodate a larger volume of water in a shorter amount of time.
- Increase the number of drains to match the roof’s square footage.
- Equip the roof with the proper drain system – internal drains, scuppers, gutters, downspouts, or a combination of these.
- Clean the drains, clearing any blockages
Insufficient Insulation
If your roof seems to be losing heat or allowing cold air to escape, it may not be the roof that needs replacing, but the insulation. Chase Commercial Roofing can improve the energy efficiency of your flat roof system by installing high R-value insulation throughout your roof, eliminating heat transfer and dramatically reducing your utility costs.
Old, Weathered Materials
Just like any other system, flat roofs will show signs of weathering as they age and are exposed to the elements. Depending on what material your flat roof is made of, it may suffer from the following problems:
- Wind uplift
- Failing flashing
- Pulling apart seams
- Cracked, sun-baked roofing membrane
- And much more
If you are concerned about the condition of your flat roof or think it may need repairs, call the experts at Chase Commercial Roofing at (757) 276-1110 today!