Inspecting a Flat Roof

Flat Roof Repair You Can Count On

When you’re buying a new property, you have a lot to think about to prepare for your new home. its important to inspect the flat roof before following through with the purchase. Even though you may have owned a property with a flat roof in the past, it is still a good idea to inspect the roof and understand how to maintain it. Leaks can be devastating and expensive if they’re not repaired quickly after their found.

Serious flat roofing problems include:

• Blistering: these are areas that look like bubbles or where the surface is uneven. There could be moisture trapped underneath the membrane, but more often, its a result of improper installation. Ask a roofing contractor if a particular blister on your roof will cause bigger problems.
• Splitting: This could mean their’s a poor structure or bad insulation installation. Even if the membrane was installed correctly, shifting or movement inside could cause a split in the flat roof’s membrane. If this is the case, the flashing in this area will usually fail too.
• Movement: If the membrane looks like its shifted from it’s original position, it could be due to the slope of the roof being too steep for the type of membrane installed, poor adhesion, or thermal issues. This can contribute to ridges, splits and other roof problems.
• Obvious Damage: if the flat roof has been punctured or shows signs of damage, refer it to your professional roofing contractor.
• Shrinking: Some membranes have a tendency to shrink. You will see this as an issue if membrane seams look like they’re pulling against a penetration like a plumbing vent pipe, or if the membrane can be pulled away from the eave’s edges. You may also see “bridging” at angle changes such as parapet walls, against other walls, etc.

Flat Roof Repair Contractors With the Experience You Need

Here are Things to Look for During the Inspection:

On the Roof
If you don’t see any discolored spots or any other signs leaking inside, it is still a smart choice to have the roof inspected. There could be cracks beginning to form that will become bigger issues down the road. You’ll want to get these problems fixed before they cause any internal damage to the home. One thing we would recommend is walking the roof to do a simple visual inspection. To be safe, make sure to be aware of where you are on the roof and never walk backwards. Make note of all the penetrations and don’t put any weight on any skylight covers – they’re not built to withstand significant weight. While you’re walking the roof, make a note of how it feels under your feet. If it feels weak, get off the roof safely and as quickly as possible and call a professional roofing contractor. If you find a leak on the roof, it could soak the insulation under the membrane. If it feels a spongy underneath you, you’ll also want to refer to a roofing contractor. This is also the case if you notice any water coming out of any part of the membrane.

Inspect Penetrations and their Seals
Next, you will want to look at all the penetrations and seals. A large amount of leaks start at penetrations and seals, which make up a very small percentage of the total area of the flat roof. Penetrations, things like pipes and flashings that ‘penetrate’ the roof, are usually enclosed by flashings made from some form of sheet metal. Inspect around these penetrations for deterioration and cracks. This cracking might not seem to be a big problem, but as moisture gets in, it will expand the crack until its large enough to cause a big leak. Seals are where two waterproof materials overlap, coming together in the same spot. Inspect these seals and make sure they’re smooth and still fully adhering.

In the Interior
You’ll want to check each individual room in the property carefully. Check the ceilings for any stains or discoloration. If the roof is leaking, you’ll find a dark colored ring forming around the water-saturated spot. If you see this, you should contact an experienced roofing contractor before moving ahead with your purchase. If you see damage from a leak in one area it doesn’t necessarily mean that the leak is located directly above it. Flat roofing systems have layers that might direct the moisture to other areas in the home, many times far away from the source. The damage could also be from a plumbing or AC leak or, possibly some other source other than your roof itself. Its also a possibility that  the leak that caused the stain was previously repaired but the discoloration on the ceiling was not. However, to be on the safe side, the best thing to do is to hire a professional flat roofing contractor to locate the source of any leaks. 

To Conclude

If you’ve finished your roof inspection and decide you need to hire an experienced commercial roofing contractor, make sure to get several bids to ensure that you thoroughly understand what really needs to be remedied. Also, if you get multiple bids, you’re more likely to pay a lower price for your roof repair. Your roofing contractor might also be able to help you extend your roof’s lifespan and give you instructions on what you can do for routine maintenance throughout the year. 

Mikku and Sons Roofing (623) 465-1068, provides flat roof repair, flat roof installation and flat roof replacement services to Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding communities. We’ve been providing flat roofing services to the area for over 18 years. When you need help with your flat roofing system questions, give us a call.