Flat roofs are the most common and practical choice of roofs for contemporary homes as well as commercial properties like small businesses and buildings. Unlike traditional roofs, these roofs are easier to install and more accessible since you can tread on their surface without fear of slipping.
That said, flat roofs have a big drawback in terms of maintenance that makes it slightly more troublesome to keep in good condition compared with sloped roofs. Allegiant Roofing, your roofing company, discusses how you can overcome the drawbacks of flat roofs.
Flat Roofs and the Drainage Problem
The biggest weakness with flat roofs is the drainage. With sloped roofs, the fact that they have a slope means that the roof will naturally shed water. Flat roofs do drain, but not as efficiently as a roof with a pitch. This means water tends to form puddles and pools of water on the surface of a flat roof, causing continuous damage to the surface of the roof and its seams.
This issue with water pooling makes flat roofs more susceptible to leaks. When left unaddressed, the leaks themselves will reduce the life span of the flat roofing material. This necessitates roof leak repair, which Allegiant Roofing offers.
How to Overcome This Drawback
The best way to overcome this one weakness of flat roofs is to create an efficient drainage system for the property. Properties with flat roofs ideally have an internal drainage system, but we recommend adding exterior drains and gutters. These should be installed at the scupper as leakage and water pooling is common in this area.
Another way to overcome the flat roof problem is by doing preventive maintenance. Flat roof materials like EPDM and TPO are actually more resistant to water exposure and damage, but their effectiveness will naturally wane in time. By doing preventive repair and maintenance, you bolster the membrane’s ability to resist the negative effects of water pooling on its surface.
As your commercial roofing contractors, we’ll help you overcome this one weakness of flat roofs so you can take full advantage of their benefits. Call us today at (937) 660-6312 to learn more about our services. We are a local roofing company serving homeowners in Dayton and other parts of Ohio.