Flat Roof Repairs

The Facts On Major Elements Of Flat Roof Repairs

Most flat roofs are found on commercial buildings and were probably installed by professional commercial roofers with flat roofing experience; however, you will find some residences with this type of installation. Unfortunately, these types of installs were done by contractors with little or no experience dealing with this type of roofing and find yourself requiring repair long before reaching the minimum life expectancy of the materials.

Materials

All of the leaks requiring repairs are those installed with a single ply rubber membrane called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). This sort of roofing material has replaced the earlier design of flat roofing which was comprised of a foundation sheet and multiple layers of felt paper and hot asphalt or coal tar. Usually this is covered with gravel to give it increased life. This sort of flat roofing is called BUR (built up roofing). In most cases this type of roofing although using less high tech materials out lasts the EPDM roofing in residential applications as a result of inconsistency in installation procedures.

Locating a Contractor

If you decide that your flat roof repair is not worth the cost and you want to have the roof replaced, make sure to find a roofing contractor with experience installing flat roofs. Get referrals and check them out when you sign a contract. You might find it difficult to identify a competent roofer that'll install flat roofing on a residence. You may be an expert asphalt shingle roofer and not discover how to hold a flat rubber roof. All of the pros limit their projects to commercial installations, but if you take your time and keep looking, you'll find them.

Which System is Best?

Today's new flat roof repair installations offer many different materials. You can find those that also claim EPDM single ply membranes - the most frequent system in the US and the material of choice for the low-slope commercial roofing industry for over 40 years - continues to be the best system to use. Others claim the newer materials like TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin, SBS (self adhering membrane systems) or even a PVC membrane using heat welded seams would have been a definitely better solution. You will find roofing contractors that vigorously defend their preferred system. Your best bet is to discover a roofing contractor in your area with an extended history of service and check out his referrals. Several of those systems work best in extreme heat or cold, so your local area may make a difference.

Do It Yourself Flat Roof Repair

If you have an EPDM membrane and it looks like it may be repaired you are still faced with numerous choices. There's black rubber glue or even a Peel-and-stick flashing material with a plastic primer that covers the seams of the membrane which can be where most leaks occur.

Each of these methods supplies a limited life extension to your roof. Bear in mind these repair materials don't usually come in small quantities, so unless you'll find a roofing contractor that'll sell you simply the total amount you will need, you may find yourself spending quite lot money on materials.

Allow Pros Check it Out first

You need to will have a skilled roofing contractor examine your roof when you try to do the repairs yourself. Often a skilled contractor can easily see damage that the homeowner cannot see. Depending on your situation, they could manage to do the repair for what you will pay in material costs by carrying it out yourself.