Protect The Flat Roof Over Your Head By Following These 3 Maintenance Tips

If you have a flat roof on your home, it has a small slope, but not enough of one to completely remove all snow and other debris when compared to a pitched roof. Because of this, you have to give your flat roof your special attention to keep it in good shape. Below are some things you should put on your maintenance list.

Inspect the Roof

You should plan to inspect your roof at least once a month. Below are things you need to do during this inspection.

• Check seals: Seals are where two pieces of material come together or overlap. Check all of these on the roof to make sure they are fully adhered and smooth.
• Check penetration: Penetrations are areas like flashings and pipes, or anything that penetrates your roof. They are generally surrounded by sheet metal or flashing. Look around all penetrations to see if there are cracks.
• Check the caulking: The caulking should be checked for deterioration around areas like flashings, patches, seams, and drains.
• Check for debris: Rake up and remove organic debris, such as leaves and sticks.
• Check for deterioration: Check your roof for any water stains, soft spots, or cracks. If you see any of these, your flat roof will start leaking if it hasn't already started to.

If you find any problems at all, contact a roofing company to repair them for you.

Check Gutters and Downspouts

Check the gutters to ensure they are not clogged with debris. If so, the water will not drain correctly off the roof, which will damage the sheathing and roofing materials. Inspect the downspouts, which are the pipes, for any damage. Downspouts are important, as they carry rain water from the gutter and away from your home. After a rain, if you notice water pooling on the ground underneath the gutter, the downspout may have broken loose between sections of the gutter or from the gutter outlet. This is usually due to the elbows in the sections becoming clogged with debris. If not fixed, the water soaks into the ground and will damage the foundation of your home eventually. You can install new gutters and/or downspouts yourself, or hire a roofing contractor to do this job for you.

Flat roofs can last up to 25 years if it is properly maintained and installed. Follow the tips above to ensure your roof will last this long. To learn more, contact a business like R & A Roofing Services.