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More Slope Than Flat

Flat roof systems are more low-slope than completely flat. They have just enough slope to make water move toward gutter and drains to keep it from ponding on the roof. There are several options for a flat roof available when you’re deciding on whether to replace your roof.

What we feel is the best solution, sprayed-on polyurethane foam, should be used more than it is and pushed more by roofers in the industry. There are several options if you’ve decided to replace your flat roof.

Here Are 5 Options for a Flat Roof

Modified Bitumen

This material is rolled on top of your roof’s surface in a single ply. Most previous installations were completed by placing it on the roof and then using a blowtorch to heat it. This poses some risks, so newer materials have been created that stick to the roof after they are peeled off, making it safer. It’s good for the environment due to its ability to reflect the heat and rays from the sun, which will lower your cooling expenses. However, it does have a major negative feature – walking on it can tear the material and cause scuffing.

Built Up Roofing (BUR)

This material is very affordable, which entices homeowners to use it often as everyone likes to save money. It has a nice, attractive look which usually has gravel on top covering the material. Its constructed of several layers, so it provides more than adequate insulation for your home. But, due to these multiple layers, it weighs more tan other flat systems,. which means you may have to make some structural additions to your framing or structure in order to support it, meaning you’ll have additional expense when choosing to install it. One other drawback is you should not be occupying the property while its being installed, interrupting your families routine and schedule. There is plenty of info to be found online regarding BUR roofing if you need it.

Sprayed-on Roof Coatings

Silicone is the material most often used for sprayed-on applications. And, because its sprayed onto the roof, it is seamless, making it work great in resisting moisture and deflecting the heat from the sun. Since it reflects the sun’s heat and rays, it lowers your utility costs, saving you money. Another big benefit is its contribution to the environment because its applied directly on top of the old system. No need for the occupants to be removed during installation and no need to tear off the old roofing and dispose of it before its applied. There are a few negatives, though – the biggest one being its price, as its more expensive than the other flat options. However, that should be expected from something of high quality with so many positives. Depending on your roof’s configuration and your location, silicone roofing will usually be the most expensive option to choose from.

Single Ply EPDM

It’s similar to PVC, because of its single ply, but the main material is not plastic, but rubber. Its extremely durable, but it has a few drawbacks. Adhesives are used to close the seams, which can make them vulnerable to the elements over time, letting moisture get through and causing maintenance and repair issues. Asa result, you will have to pay more attention to routine maintenance and minor repairs than some of your other options.

PVC

This material is very reflective and durable.  It is extremely water resistant, keeping moisture from pooling.  Lastly, the installation process is simple, making it one of the best choices for your flat roof. It may sound like it is similar to spray applied coatings because they do have a lot in common. The biggest difference from other materials, including sprayed-on, is that the seams can lead to failing. Glue or tape is used to connect the seams, and they will deteriorate over time.  This allows more water over time to enter your home than a seamless system would.

Light Colors Equal Cooler Temperatures

The idea behind cool roofing is the same as the reasons people living in hot climates wear light colored clothing. Here in the desert southwest, wearing light-colored or white clothing helps keep you cool. Its because light colors reflect heat and sunlight, whereas dark colors absorb them. Homes are similar to people. If your roof is dark colored, your home will be hotter than if it had a light-colored roof. During the hot summer months we experience here in the Phoenix area, a darker colored roof can reach temperatures as high as 150 to 190 degrees at their peak.  In contrast, a cool roofing system will peak at around 100 to 120 degrees.

A cool roofing system can reduce the temperature on the surface of your roof by as much as 100 degrees.  This will reduce the heat that is transferred into the interior below.  The attic space and ductwork under the roof will be cooler.  This will lower utility and maintenance costs and improve comfort inside.  It will also increase the lifespan of your roof and lower the urban heat island affect and associated smog levels in cities.

What You Should Know About Cool Roofing

Cool Roofing Materials

They are made of materials that reflect the energy and heat from the sun away from the surface of your roof. The materials for homes with low-slope roofs are typically bright white, however, there are other colors that are being made for more sloped roof applications. Cool roofing is highly emissive, which allows it to emit infrared energy away from the roof. Bare metals and metallic coatings usually don’t have low emissive abilities, which is one of the reasons they aren’t thought of as cool roofing materials.

Cool Roofing Benefits

Cool Roofing Costs

Initial costs for a cool roof are similar to traditional roofing materials. Some cool roofing materials cost less than traditional materials and some cost more. Cool protective coatings can be applied every 10 to 15 years, which can reduce, or eliminate, the need for expensive roof tear-offs and replacements. If you add these roof repair or replacement savings with an average 20 percent savings on utility costs, it makes a cool roof a money saver over the life of your property. You can also get rebates in some communities, in addition to energy and lifespan savings, from local utility companies for installing cool roofing on your home.

Experienced Flat Roof Installation Contractors

There are 2 two types of materials for low-slope roofing systems on homes – single-ply materials and reflective coatings. Single-ply materials are made of large sheets of pre-constructed roofing fastened together over the old roof and sealed at the seams. Reflective coatings are installed or applied over an existing clean, leak-free roof surface using rollers, sprayers, or brushes.

There are other materials available for sloped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. They stay cool by using certain pigments that reflect the sun’s infrared heat. There aren’t asphalt shingles or pre-coated metal roofing materials available in cool versions right now.

You can visit the ENERGY STAR® Website for a comprehensive list of cool roofing system products and manufacturers at www.energystar.gov.

Leaks Can Be Devastating

When you’re buying a new property, you have a lot to think about to prepare for your new home. Inspecting a flat roof before following through with the purchase is extremely important.

Even though you may have owned a property with a flat roof in the past, it is still a good idea to inspect the roof and understand how to maintain it.

Leaks can be devastating and expensive if they’re not repaired quickly after they’re found.

Serious Flat Roofing Problems To Look For

Blistering

These are areas that look like bubbles or where the surface is uneven. There could be moisture trapped underneath the membrane, but more often, it's a result of improper installation.

Ask a roofing contractor if a particular blister on your roof will cause bigger problems.

Splitting

This could mean there’s a poor structure or bad insulation installation. Even if the membrane was installed correctly, shifting or movement inside could cause a split in the flat roof’s membrane. If this is the case, the flashing in this area will usually fail too.

Movement

If the membrane looks like it shifted from its original position, it could be due to the slope of the roof being too steep for the type of membrane installed, poor adhesion, or thermal issues.

This can contribute to ridges, splits, and other roof problems.

Obvious Damage

When inspecting a flat roof and find that it has been punctured or shows other signs of obvious damage, you should bring it to the attention of your professional roofing contractor.

Shrinking

Some membranes have a tendency to shrink. You will see this as an issue if membrane seams look like they’re pulling against a penetration like a plumbing vent pipe, or if the membrane can be pulled away from the eave’s edges.

You may also see “bridging” at angle changes such as parapet walls, against other walls, etc.

Things to Look When Inspecting A Flat Roof

On the Roof

If you don’t see any discolored spots or any other signs leaking inside, it is still a smart choice to have the roof inspected.

There could be cracks beginning to form that will become bigger issues down the road. You’ll want to get these problems fixed before they cause any internal damage to the home.

One thing we would recommend is walking the roof to do a simple visual inspection. To be safe, make sure to be aware of where you are on the roof and never walk backward.

Make note of all the penetrations and don’t put any weight on any skylight covers, they’re not built to withstand the significant weight.

While you’re walking the roof, make a note of how it feels under your feet. If it feels weak, get off the roof safely and as quickly as possible and call a professional roofing contractor.

A leak on the roof could soak the insulation under the membrane. If it feels spongy underneath you, you’ll also want to refer to a roofing contractor. This is also the case if you notice any water coming out of any part of the membrane.

Inspect Penetrations and their Seals

Next, you will want to look at all the penetrations and seals. A large number of leaks start at penetrations and seals, which make up a very small percentage of the total area of the flat roof.

Penetrations, things like pipes and flashings that ‘penetrate’ the roof, are usually enclosed by flashings made from some form of sheet metal. Inspect around these penetrations for deterioration and cracks.

This cracking might not seem to be a big problem, but as moisture gets in, it will expand the crack until it's large enough to cause a big leak.

Seals are where two waterproof materials overlap, coming together in the same spot. Inspect these seals and make sure they’re smooth and still fully adhering.

In the Interior

You’ll want to check each individual room on the property carefully. Check the ceilings for any stains or discoloration. If the roof is leaking, you’ll find a dark-colored ring forming around the water-saturated spot.

stained ceiling from leaking flat roof
This is what a leaking roof looks like from the interior

If you see this, you should contact an experienced roofing contractor before moving ahead with your purchase.

Damage from a leak in one area doesn’t necessarily mean that the leak is located directly above it. Flat roofing systems have layers that might direct the moisture to other areas in the home, many times far away from the source.

The damage could also be from a plumbing or AC leak or, possibly some other source other than your roof itself.

It's also a possibility that the leak that caused the stain was previously repaired but the discoloration on the ceiling was not.

However, to be on the safe side, the best thing to do is to hire a professional flat roofing contractor to locate the source of any leaks.

To Conclude

If you’ve finished your roof inspection and decide you need to hire an experienced commercial roofing contractor, make sure to get several bids to ensure that you thoroughly understand what really needs to be remedied.

Also, if you get multiple bids, you’re more likely to pay a lower price for your roof repair. Your roofing contractor might also be able to help you extend your roof’s lifespan and give you instructions on what you can do for routine maintenance throughout the year.

Be Aware

While they do have their perks, flat roofs have design and installation factors that can play into damages and performance issues. In the long run, you may end up with a shorter roof lifespan than you expect – here are a few tips for issues you should consider.

Top 3 Common Flat Roof Issues

Leaking

Among all issues a flat roof can experience, this is the most frequent by far. Usually caused by unnoticed ponding water after rainfall, only 48 hours are needed before leaks start becoming apparent. You should check for moisture buildup around seams and flashings around your roof. Clogged drains, chimneys, and skylights are also places where you’ll want to watch for moisture buildup. If any water gets under the membrane and into the sheathing of your roof, there’s a chance rot and mold will quickly start to grow.

Shrinking and Deteriorating Materials

A common problem for EPDM membranes is shrinkage – when rubber shrinks, it can pull down other objects like parapet walls or chimneys! This is more likely to occur on a large building or on a building where the membrane was not properly secured and installed. Keep your eyes out for signs of discoloration along with signs of shrinkage to spot problems before they get out of hand.

Damage Caused by Foot Traffic

The last major issue that commonly affects flat roofs and flat roof decking is caused by heavy foot traffic. Often done by HVAC contractors and other visitors who go on the roof, damage can be caused by dropping tools, tripping on fasteners, or otherwise puncturing the membrane and allowing moisture inside. After a company has been on the roof, be sure to inspect for any signs of punctures or other damages.

Correct Flat Roof Repair Installation

Roofing systems take abuse and have to be maintained. Pitched roofs are fundamentally built to shed water and keep snow from piling up.

As a result, sloped roofs that utilize asphalt shingles, tiles, or wood shakes are designed to work similar to fish scales – overlapping each other to shed the water and snow. 

Flat surfaces require different coverings and this article will discuss three options for flat roofs.

Flat roofing systems aren’t built that way. With extremely low slopes (between 1/4″ to 1/2″ per foot, if installed the right way), flat roofs don’t shed water easily. Flat roofs are good systems if done right. They do have some common issues that can be prevented if they are installed by a good roofing company.

Flat roofing systems are built as a monolithic roof surface and will have times where water is pooling and standing.  There are 3 main options for flat roofs including Built-Up Roofing (BUR), Modified Bitumen Roofing, and Membrane or ‘Single-Ply’ Roofing (such as EPDM).

EPDM is the latest flat roof technology (around 55 years) and BUR is the oldest (about 120 years). Modified Bitumen is between the others (+/- 60 years). Here are the pluses and minuses of each flat roofing system.

Built-Up Roofing Systems

Built-up roofing (BUR) was the most commonly installed type of flat roof until single-ply roofing and modified Bitumen came along.

BUR uses tar and gravel for a watertight layer on top of the roof. Some of its biggest benefits include longevity, the thick coverage of the roof deck, and high resistance to damage.

It’s a costly choice for a residential property, and some of the odors that come with tar and gravel can be bothersome. Here are some additional pluses and minuses of built-up roofing:

Pluses

Minuses

Modified Bitumen Systems

It didn’t take long for the public to move away from the mess, heat, and odors of installing a BUR roof. But, for a long time, it was the only option. In the early 1960s, a new technology was developed – modified bitumen roofing (MBR).

It leveraged the proven performance of BUR and added roof wear layers or cap sheets that were polymer reinforced for strength and durability.

Pluses

Minuses

Single Ply Membrane Systems

There are a few types of rubber/polymer membrane roofing systems – PVC, Neoprene, EPDM and several others. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is used the most, especially for residential projects.

EPDM is constructed of recycled rubber materials, making it environmentally friendly. It helps to insulate your roof and attic.

In addition to covering your roof, it will bring down utility costs and make it economically viable as well. It comes in a large variety of textures and colors.

Pluses

Minuses

Remember to maintain your flat roofs, repair them if it needs repairs, and get them inspected every 5 years or so!

Things to Avoid With Your Flat Roof

Flat roof don’ts are important to consider, and calling a contractor is likely in your best interest.  There have been a lot of flat roofs that have been lifted up or completely blown off buildings here in the Phoenix area due to monsoon storms kicking up severe, heavy wind gusts. Fortunately, most of the time, injuries are avoided, but the peeled away roofs are a reminder that flat roofing on a home is no place for amateurs.

If the homeowner or property manager happened to be up on the roof to do something they thought was simple, like checking the drains and gutters for debris, when the monsoon storm hit, as an example, much worse results would have occurred and made for major, tragic headlines. Unnecessary rooftop visits are just one practice to avoid with residential flat roofing.

Don’t Go On Your Roof

Rooftop visits that aren’t necessary are just one practice to avoid with flat roofing systems. Some homeowners think of their roof as their personal property, the same as you might look at something you own like a guard dog. But, you know guard dogs can sometimes bite the hand that feeds them. Your roof should be treated with the same kind of caution – it will be there, inviting you to climb up on top of it, but roofs can be very unpredictable. The less time you spend on your roof, the safer you are. Leave inspections and repairs to the experienced professionals like Mikku and Sons Roofing. We have the trained crews, specialized equipment and certified training to walk your residential flat roof safely and securely.

Don’t Put Off Repairs

Another poor behavior to avoid is procrastinating your roof repairs. Ignoring the trouble signs of a potential leak – ponding, musty odors in your interior, ceilings that have stains, or moisture damaged roof insulation – will only cause your eventual repair to be more costly. If your home has any of these signs pointing to a leak, get that small repair made as fast as you possibly can, before it turns into a major roof replacement project. You can also avoid damage to your insulation and roof decking with quick attention to repairs. This quick repair strategy will always save you money in the long run.

Don’t Be a Do-It-Yourselfer

Some homeowners think they can do minor roof repairs themselves. You, or a property manager, might think of yourselves as some sort of “handyman”. Why would you risk your health, your job and your well being by going up on a roof to try to make an amateur repair? The do-it-yourself approach might work for a while to clear a clogged scupper or something simple, but for most residential flat roof repair, you need the guidance and experience of a professional roofing contractor.

Some other flat roof don’ts to consider:

What’s Your Ideal House?

When people imagine a house, many picture a building with a pitched or A-shaped roof. However, this is far from the only option available for your home or business. One style to consider is a flat roof, which is a horizontal roof that is usually tilted at a very low angle.

Reasons to Choose a Flat Roof

People choose flat roofs for a variety of reasons. Some simply like the way they give a home a more modern look. Others appreciate advantages such as:

However, it is important to note that there are also disadvantages to living in a building with a flat roof. For example, these roofs require careful maintenance, or they can be damaged by weather and gradual wear and tear. They can also be prone to water pooling and flooding.

Before choosing a roof design for your home, it is important to be fully informed about your options. Our roofing specialists can help you review your choices when designing a home or constructing a new roof.

Flat Roofing System Options

Foam Roofing

Foam roofing is the most energy-efficient roofing material available, over 500% more efficient than conventional roofs. It’s the first intelligent roofing technology for flat and low-sloped roofs, combining insulation and roofing into one material. That means no roofing seams or multiple layers – eliminating the expanding and contracting and separating that allows water and microbes to seep in and damage your roof.

Each Mikku and Sons foam roof is custom installed. The foam is sprayed on as a liquid mixture, and within a few seconds will expand to up to 30 times its original volume.  It will become a watertight, seamless solid that custom forms to the roofing substrate. Take a look at the advantages of a Mikku and Son’s foam roof:

Built-up Roof Membrane (BUR)

Elastomeric/Plastomeric Roof Membrane

Don’t Neglect It

Some maintenance do’s and don’t’s and basic rules for taking care of a flat roof are common sense.  You would be surprised what some flat roof owners do to jeopardize their roof. The worst thing you can do is neglect it. Small issues can turn into big problems quickly.

How your roof is used and the type of material you have will determine how much maintenance it will need. The following tips will help you take care of your residential or commercial roof.

6 Important Maintenance Tips For Flat Roof Owners

Keep the Roof Clean of Debris

You should clean your roof during and after the fall season, especially if you have trees that can drop debris. Here in Arizona, you should always inspect your roof after monsoon storms. Strong winds can throw debris up on your roof, even from other properties.  You may not even know there is damage causing debris up there if you don’t take a look. Always keep your flat roof clear of organic debris that could cause punctures or residual damage.

Make Sure Equipment is Attached Properly

Make sure any equipment that must be attached to roof is properly attached without causing punctures to the roof materials. If possible, mount equipment on top of a platform to limit damages to the roof materials. If your material uses fasteners, make sure they are tight and secure.

Inspect and Clean Draining Systems

Check draining systems and clean out any debris. Make sure you have adequate draining for your roof, if you notice a lot of ponding water you may need better drainage, clean them, or possibly have an area that needs something to stop ponding water. Some spots that have ponding water need leveling to help the water flow to the drain system. Ponding water can cause a flat roof to deteriorate quickly, so once its detected, remove it as quickly as possible and make sure the drain systems keep it from re-occurring.

Don’t Cause Undue Stress to the Roof

Flat roofs will have issues with pressure from too much weight, such as too much heavy equipment for the way the structure of the roof was built, snow and ice weight, water weight or even random things on the roof that shouldn’t be there. You should have some sort of documentation from the builders and designers that specifies the amount of weight your flat roof can withstand. If there is an area that is not supported well and  too much weight exists there, the roof can eventually collapse, causing all kinds of damage and even jeopardize your families well being.

Do Not Neglect Your Flat Roof

If you haven’t had it inspected for some time, or have put off repairs that need to be done for some time, do not wait. Call a professional flat roof contractor to inspect your roof and give you advice on the best way to maintain or repair it. The number one reason flat roofs have to be replaced is due to neglecting the roof’s need for repairs and maintenance.

Do Not Have Hazardous Materials on Your Roof

Exposure can cause damage to the material or other damage to the roof decking. Some roofing materials can become damaged with other products that aren’t made for the specific type of roof you may have.

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