Flat Roof Repair
A Step-By-Step Guide
Leaks in flat roofs are inevitable. While pitched roofs can also develop leaks with time, flat roofs are more prone to leaks due to their structure.
However, when leaks develop in a flat roof, it is important to repair them to prevent them from degenerating into more serious problems with the roof and to the integrity of the whole building.
The question is if property owners can repair leaks on their own. Yes, some flat roof leaks are what you can deal with on your own without the service of a roof, thanks to the flat structure of flat roofs. Though leaks in roofs range from simple to complicated, the right guide will put you through the proper repair processes of a flat roof.
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Step by step guide
How to Locate Leaks in a Flat Roof –
The first step to repairing leaks in a flat roof is finding out the leak’s location. Fortunately, it is easier to locate a leak in a flat roof than on a sloped roof.
Locating a leak in your roof starts from checking out for water penetration in the interior. Since water penetrating the roof goes into the interior, dark spots on your ceiling are usually a good sign that something is wrong with your roof up there.
However, as a DIY, it is important to note that the leak’s location is not usually the point where you see a water pool and dark spot on your ceiling or wall. Regardless, the leak’s location is not usually far from where you notice water traces in the interior.
Causes of Leaks in Flat Roof
Before anything, the first step to a problem is knowing what causes it, which is the same as repairing leaks in a flat roof. There are a few contributing factors to why a flat roof leaks.
Common causes of leaks in a roof include natural disasters like floods, wind damage, tornadoes, electrical storms, and hail storms. It is wise that you inspect your roof immediately after any of these occurs, as doing so will help identify any issues they might have caused your roof.
Flat Roof Repair: How to Do It
Note: before forging on to repairing your flat roof, it is important that you take caution with the tools needed, especially the ladder. Place your ladder at the right angle against the wall and ensure you climb a step after the other, as you can’t afford a fall from the ladder.
What to do with the leak up there depends on the materials making up your roof. However, most roof repairs involve rubber roofing materials, roofing tar, or rubber roof patches.
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- Remove any debris: once you climb up your roof, you will likely find debris accumulation, which might have caused the damage and leaks. Hence, the first step is to clean the debris to have a clear surface to work on and prevent further damage to the roof.
- Dry the area: since flat roofs are prone to collecting water, the chances are your roof is wet. Hence, take your time to clean the water and ensure the area you want to work on is dry.
- Cut the damaged area: the appropriate approach to repairing leaks in a roof also depends on the cause of the damage, with blister being a major cause. For blister, cut the damaged area but ensure you don’t cause more damage while doing so.
- Add new membranes: after cutting out the damaged membranes, add some cement to the area you have cut and place a new membrane on it. The cement acts as an adhesive to bond the flap of the new membrane to the structure.
- Apply nails: cementing a new membrane to your roof doesn’t guarantee it is secured. Nailing it down will do. Nail the membrane down with the nail and cover the holes created with roofing cement.
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However, if your roof materials include TPO or PVC, it is important to call for a roofing company specializing in installing and repairing them. Regardless of how simple the damage or leak is, repairs on TPO and PVC are not what you should do on your own.
Flat Roof Repair: Any Alternative to DIY?
Most times, it is best to call your roofer for a repair instead of repairing leaks on your own, which may cause more damage to your roof. The good news is that most reputable roofers like Dallas offer excellent warranties on flat roof installation, ranging from 5 to 20 years.
Hence, if your roof warranty still holds, it is best to let your roofer handle the damage, and if any goes wrong from there, you have the legal recourse to hold them for it.
On the other hand, if your warranty is up, you might be tempted to attend to severe leaks on your own, which might be detrimental to the integrity of your roof and the whole property, especially with complicated issues. In this case, call on a registered roofing contractor for the repair.
Why Contact Us
Our roofing contractors are the best in the business, providing a totally open, transparent and friendly service from start to finish. Hail storms are unpleasant enough on their own without damaging our homes. We know how we would want to be treated if we were looking for a hail damage roof service, and that’s how we treat our customers and how our contractors treat their work. Our service absolutely puts your needs at the heart of everything it does.
For hail damage roof repairs, whether structural or cosmetic, and hail damage insurance claims, we are the number one service in the area. Try out one of our free inspections, if your roof was damaged by hail and you’ve been unsure of what to do about the problem. It’s free, what do you have to lose? Having a hail damaged roof can weigh heavily on you, and our friendly service aims, first and foremost, to put your mind at ease. Knowing exactly what needs to be repaired, however much it might cost, is far better than not knowing at all. Our service is affordable and premium; you won’t find better hail damage roofing contractors for a better price in the area.
Conclusion
Damages are of different degrees, ranging from simple to complicated issues. While some simple issues are what you can handle yourself, complicated roof damage are beyond what you can repair. Hence, it is best to hire the service of a professional roofer.
Also worth noting is to hire the right roofing contractor for your flat roof material, as not every roofer specializes in all roof types.
Emery Construction is a professional, certified roofing contractor to hire for your flat roof repair. With decades of experience installing and repairing flat roofs, at Emery Construction, the best Dallas Roofing Company, we are your best go-to roofing company for your flat roof repair, regardless of the material.
Contact us today for your roof inspection and a free quote for your next roofing project.
