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Identifying Damages In Your Flat Roof & How To Fix Them

Common Flat Roofing Problems That You Need To Be Aware Of

With proactive maintenance, most problems experienced by flat roofs can be solved before they happen. Since flat roofs are tricky to install properly, it’s imperative to work with a professional and experienced Glendale roofing company and to make sure that inspection and maintenance happen regularly so that small issues can be fixed before they become big problems. Take a look at this guide to learn more about common damage that can happen to flat roofs, and how a professional roofer can repair them.

Common Flat Roofing Problems That You Need To Be Aware Of In Arizona

Ponding Water

Flat roofs often have drainage problems. If drains or gutters aren’t working properly, puddles of water can develop in the center of the roof. Small amounts of moisture may evaporate, but if puddles of water remain on the roof for more than 48 hours, the roofing membrane will become stressed and can leak. If you discover standing water on your roof, contact a qualified Avondale tile roofing expert to alleviate the problem as soon as possible. In these situations, prevention via roof maintenance along with keeping gutters and drains clean is the best solution. However, when ponding water does occur, your roofing professional will utilize a variety of techniques to drain the water and repair the roof. First, water will be absorbed or drained with a pump, towels, or other materials. Once it has dried completely, overlapping circles of rolled asphalt will be placed over the area and sealed with a thick rubber coating. If the roof has many areas of ponding or the puddle was very large, it’s possible that the entire roof membrane will need to be replaced.

Blistering

Blistering happens when small pockets of air or moisture get trapped between layers of roofing membrane. As the sun warms up the roof during the day, those pockets of air and moisture expand, stretching and weakening the roof membrane. If blistered areas are small, you don’t need to worry about them. But if they pop open, you’ll need Chandler roof repair to cut away the blistered material. New roofing membrane will need to be applied and stretched several inches over the edges of the blistered area in order to prevent leakage from happening in the future. Keeping your flat roof clean and maintained will help prevent blistering from happening. Be sure to remove any algae or moss growth, as these are common culprits that trap moisture underneath the membrane.

Alligatoring

This term is used to describe situations where the asphalt on a flat roof begins to crack. In many cases, this cracking develops a pattern similar to an alligator hide, hence its name. Alligatoring is usually caused by pools of water, debris buildup, or intense sun exposure. If left unrepaired, the cracking on the flat roof of your home or commercial building will continue to split and spread, enabling water to get into the layers of your roof. Eventually, water will enter your home, causing more damage to your home’s structure along with promoting mold and mildew growth. If you call a Avondale roofing contractor to repair alligatoring on your roof, they will likely apply a new coating of asphalt to your roof. First, the roof will be thoroughly cleaned of all sand, dust, dirt, and loose debris. Then a primer will be applied, and finally the new layer of roof coating.

Membrane Buckling

Over time, homes shift and settle slightly. This means the roofing membrane will adjust slightly as well. Since roofing membrane is often made up of just one layer of material, significant shifting of the home can cause it to buckle. Unfortunately there is no easy fix for this problem. If the damage is minor, it can potentially be repaired with an overlapping layer of roofing membrane. If the damage is severe, you may need to have a professional roofer replace the entire membrane.

Thermal Changes

Changes in the temperature can cause the roofing materials to expand and contract. This is relatively normal. However, it’s still important to have your roof routinely inspected because continual expansion and contraction can weaken the roof over time, leaving your home or business vulnerable to leaks. Thermal changes can affect not only your roof’s shingles and membrane, but also the flashing on the edges of your roof lines. This leaves room for moisture and pests to enter into your home. These problems can be prevented with the use of quality roofing materials during your Glendale new roof installation and with regular maintenance. If you notice that flashing has pulled away from the edges of your roof lines or home, you’ll want to get it replaced as soon as possible to keep your flat roof in good condition.

Meet Glendale’s Superior Roofing Contractor

Arizona Roof Rescue is a local family-owned roofing business skilled in the repair and installation of all types of roofs in both commercial and residential applications. We specialize in attention to detail and exceptional customer service and don’t cut corners on our jobs! We also offer 24/7 emergency service for when your roof needs immediate attention. Check out our 5 star reviews and give us a call to schedule your roof repair in Glendale!