Why Do Flat Roofs Leak and What Can You Do About It?
As every homeowner knows, a leaking roof can cause considerable damage to a home if not addressed immediately. Sadly, no roof is immune to leaking, and that’s why it’s so important to make your roof as leak-proof as possible, especially if you live in a location that receives a lot of rain.
What about Flat Roofs?
Believe it or not, flat roofs aren’t completely flat. Flat roofs have a slight slope to prevent the water from standing still on its surface. If, for some reason, there is a problem with that slope or some other problem with your flat roof, it needs to be repaired immediately. Delaying this essential repair work can cause pooling rainwater to seep into walls and roof edges, damaging the paint, walls, floors, etc on the inside of your home.
Below are some of the potential problems you can have with your flat roof:
8 Common Reasons for Leak Problems on a Flat Roof
Ponding water
Flat roofs are not good at draining water as compared to sloped roofs. So, they make the water stand for longer and that can lead to damage. If the water stands more than 12 hours on a roof, it starts seeping into the membrane and begins to wear it down.
The best way to prevent ponding water problems is to stay proactive. You need to maintain your roof regularly. Moreover, it is essential to keep the gutters and drains clean and remove any blockages from time to time.
Faulty slope
If your roof’s slope is too shallow, the flow of wind can lift off the shingles, causing the rainwater to enter underneath. The slope of a roof is measured as the ratio of its vertical rise over the horizontal distance.
If the roof slope lays between 2 :12, and 4: 12, you should use a double layer of material. Also, make sure that the roofing material is right for the roof-pitch and get it installed by a reputed professional to prevent future problems.
Blistering
Another common reason for roof leakage is blistering. It can occur on any flat roof when small air pockets develop and get trapped under the membrane or between its layers. The problem gets severe when the roof gets warm by the sun that causes the moisture and air pockets to expand and stretch the membrane.
The best solution to blistering is to check the air pockets and repair them as soon as they develop under the membrane. You need to cut the blistered material and replace it with a new membrane, extending at least five inches above the blister’s edge.
Debris build-up
The building up of debris like leaves, twigs, pine needles lead to water trapped against the roof that allows it to seep in the membrane. The debris can also block the drains and gutters while allowing the water to stand still on the roof, causing leakage.
The best way to prevent debris buildup is to trim any overhanging tree branches and clean up the debris regularly to avoid it piling up on the drains and gutters.
Alligatoring
Alligatoring means the surfacing of bitumen or cracking of the coating on a roof. The cracking of coating creates a pattern like the hide of an alligator. The accumulation of water, debris, and exposure to the sun are the primary causes of alligatoring. The cracking further splits and develops if homeowners don’t repair it soon.
The solution to this problem is to apply a new coating to the affected areas. You can also coat the entire roof, but it is necessary to remove the layers of dust, dirt, or any loose materials before coating. Also, apply a primer before applying the coating to make the coating stick uniformly.
Temperature changes
The changes in temperature cause the expansion and contraction of roofing material, which is normal. The continual phenomena of expansion and contraction can cause the roof's weakening with time, which causes leakage. The phenomena are also called thermal movement that can pull away from the flashing from edges of your roof. It makes it easy for water and moisture to enter the roof.
To prevent or slow down the thermal movement, you should use good quality roofing materials and flashing during installation. Also, you need to maintain your roof regularly. It is best to get the roof and flashing repaired every ten years to keep it in good condition.
Missing shingles
Sometimes strong winds can blow off the shingles the lead to exposed areas that you cannot see. The missing shingles offer a way for rainwater and moisture to enter the roof that leads to leakage. The solution to missing shingles is to inspect them after every strong wind and replace the shingles the next day as they go missing.
Plumbing leaks
Not all roof leaks are caused by rainwater. Some leaks can also occur from the roof's water tanks or the plumbing pipes in the roof. If any joint in the water pipes becomes loose or the sealing thread gets worn, it can leak the joints. This can cause leakage in the roof or walls.
Inspect the cause of leakage as soon as you spot it on your roof or walls. If the cause is related to plumbing, get it repaired immediately, or call a professional to inspect the entire roof.
Brisbane Roof and Paint offer premium quality roofing and painting services in Sydney. If you are located in or around Brisbane, you can contact them to paint your house. Even if you want leak roof repair, they offer high-quality leak repairs and roof restoration services.
In Conclusion
These were some reasons for leaking roofs in residential and commercial properties. Regular roof maintenance is the key to avoid such problems. However, if you face leakage problems in your roof, you can contact a high-quality roofing professional like Brisbane Roof and Painting for repairs. Homes in locations that witness frequent winds or rains need more frequent inspections and repairs than houses in standard climates. It is best to get your roof inspected every six months to spot any problems that can lead to leakage in the near future.
About the Author
Emily Bartels is a content writer at Brisbane Roof & Paint. She enjoys writing on various topics mainly associated with Home Improvement, Gardening, Technology, and Gadgets. Her famous articles are on the topic of Home Improvement, Technology, and many more.
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