3 Signs That a Flat Roof Might Need Maintenance & Repair

Despite how amazing they are for reducing energy costs, offering alternatives for your home, like rooftop gardens and decks, and being less costly to install, flat roofs still need maintenance and repair like any other roof.

If there is a downside to flat roofs, it is that it’s not as easy to spot the signs that you need maintenance and repair. While you can generally see the surface of sloped roofs from the ground, flat roofs usually mean you need to get up on a ladder to inspect them.

Signs That Your Flat Roof Needs Attention

When you do get out the ladder to take a look at your flat roof, here’s what to look for.

1. Pooled Water

A basic function of every roof, flat or not, is to get water off the roof and away from the building. So you know that a puddle of water on a flat roof can’t be good. If pools of water remain for 48 hours or more following the last rain, then your flat roof has a problem.

Water degrades flat roofing materials by magnifying harmful UV, speeding up heat degradation and promoting the growth of algae and mold, all of which can damage the roof.

2. Blisters

When moisture gets between the layers that make up a flat roof, and is vaporized due to heat, it can form blisters in the roofing material. Left untreated, blisters can cause layers to separate and make it easier for moisture to get into the building.

3. Cracks in the Roofing Material

Cracks can form on the surface of a flat roof for many reasons. UV rays will dry out the material and cause it to crack. If there is excess weight on the roof, the roofing material can crack and separate. Lots of foot traffic will also increase the chance of cracking. Every crack in the surface of the roof is another opportunity for water to get in.

If you notice any of the problems listed above, or anything else about your flat roof that doesn’t seem right, call us here at Chouinard Bros. We know how to fix it.