A flat roof makes your home stand out from the rest of the houses on your street. But its unique architecture means your roof won’t show wear and tear like standard sloped roofs.
If you aren’t sure what to look out for when checking your roof for problems, you’re in the right place. Here are five signs you need to fix your flat roof soon.
1. Indoor Water Damage
Unlike your neighbours with angled roofs, you don’t get to see your flat roof on a daily basis. It being flat means it’s hidden from your gaze, so many of the signs of damage will escape your notice until you drag out the ladder and take a peek.
As a result, many homeowners notice indoor leaks before anything else. Water damage on your ceilings or moisture collecting around skylights may indicate there’s an issue with your roof.
This moisture can allow mould or fungus to grow in your home, and, in the worst-case scenarios, it can even lead to structural rot if left untreated.
2. Splitting
Another sign your flat roof needs attention is if the asphalt is splitting. Cracks, tears, and other splits in this material indicate your roof may be letting water into your home.
This kind of damage can happen for various reasons — from exposure to the elements to an incorrect install.
Luckily, repairing a split is a simple job for an experienced crew of professional flat roofers. These experts can remove and replace the damaged material to bring your roof back to standard.
3. Pooling Water
Although your roof may look perfectly flat to the naked eyed, it’s designed with a subtle slope. This gradient allows rain and melting snow to drain so that water or ice won’t collect on top of your home.
As your house and roof age, it may settle in a way that disrupts this intentional slope. The structure of your roof may shift to create dips where water can collect.
If you see large pools of water that won’t go away, you should call a roofing company to examine your roof. Although every flat roof is designed to be watertight, you’ll want to check there aren’t any structural issues behind this pooling water that may cause bigger problems in your future.
4. Buckling Membrane
Buckling membrane is another issue caused by your home settling. The membrane is an insulating feature of your flat roof construction, and it keeps water from penetrating your interior.
Over time, excessive settling puts pressure on your membrane, causing it to shift, buckle, or bubble. This can lead to a sagging flat roof, so you should arrange for a fix right away if you spot this issue.
5. Blisters
Blisters can make your flat roof look like it’s made out of alligator skin. It happens when moisture and air get trapped in the layers of your roof. The heat of the sun boils this trapped moisture and causes blisters to bubble away on your roof.
Alligatoring is a sign your roof is getting on in years. Depending on your budget, you can make patch fixes or replace the roof in its entirety.
Find a Professional to Help
If your next climb up the ladder reveals any of these issues, take the time to find a local roofer that specializes in flat roofs. The professionals will be able to diagnose and treat the problem quickly, so you can get on with your life.
