Flat Roof Repair From Ponding
While flat roofs are, as their name suggests, flat, they still have a slight slope to them that encourages any water to run off their surface and into the drains around the roof. However, if you have noticed that your roof is collecting large puddles of water when it rains it could be a sign that your roofs drainage system isnt working to its full potential.
Ponding can cause deep concave indents to occur around the roof, as well as stains and watermarks to occur on the inside of your property. These indents will continue to collect water, damaging the material and over time may allow water to begin to seep through into the interior of your home.
Ponding is usually caused by insufficient drainage, so, if you have noticed the beginnings of ponding on your flat roof, check that your drains and guttering is clear and free of any leaves, sticks or other things that could be blocking it up and preventing the water from running away.
However, if your roof is still suffering from ponding even with clear drains, you may need to add additional external gutters to help collect the excess water, especially if the ponding is occurring around the edges of the roof while automatic pumps can be used to deal with ponding in more central areas of the roof that cannot easily runoff.
Additional drains can also be installed, as well as having lower or sunken areas of your roof built up and re-laid to create more of a slope so that water doesnt collect in those areas.
How Long Does A Flat Roof Last
May 18th, 2022 | 5 min. read
The lifespan of your flat roof is the return you get after investing your hard-earned money. Not only that, but the lifespan also tells you when youll have to replace it in the future.
Thats why its important to know how long a flat roof actually lasts. Because its so important, I want to break it down for you.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand their flat roof investment and what they get out of it. Now we want to do the same for you.
Ill start this article by diving right into how long a flat roof lasts. After that, youll learn 3 factors that impact the lifespan of a flat roof.
How To Fix Splitting In Your Felt Roof
If you’re fixing a flat roof yourself, you should start by examining the size of the split and measuring the size needed to cover the damage.
Before you repair the flat roof, you need to clear the area, you can then fill the space under the split or tear with bitumen adhesive or you can use roofing cement to seal down any loose areas of the felt roof.
Failing that, if you are wondering how to fix a flat roof, there are felt roof repair kits that come as large patches to place over the top of any splits or tears. You will need to cut a piece of felt that is big enough to allow a 15cm overlap around the damage. Then seal it down with bitumen adhesive or roofing cement. You need to ensure that the patch is placed firmly on top of the adhesive and make sure that the edges are well sealed.
For extra protection and waterproofing, you can apply an extra layer of roofing concrete on top of the roof patch.
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How To Extend The Life Of Your Roof
Regardless of the material that your roof is made from, there are a few best practices that can help you extend its life significantly. Here are a few of the ways you should work to maintain your roof.
- Keep it clean: You should regularly clean the roof of your RV to clear it of dust, debris, and any other elements. Letting these things sit on your roof can speed up the aging process and lead to a quicker need for repairs. It is a good idea to use a secure ladder and clean your roof from the side, rather than standing on top of your vehicle. Read your user manual to learn the best cleaning products for your specific roof material.
- Use a cover when not in use: For the aforementioned reasons, it is good to keep your RVs roof clear of elements and debris. To avoid regular cleanings when not in use, you can use a fitted cover that securely covers your RV. Make sure you choose a cover that thoroughly protects from UV rays, moisture, and other elements to prevent damage.
- Prevent Leaks: As you know, leaks are the most common issue that you will face with any type of RV roof. To prevent leaks, regularly clean your roof and cover it when not in use. You can also caulk certain areas to make sure they are thoroughly sealed. Read your users manual to learn the types of caulking that will be compatible with the material of your roof.
How Long Does A Flat Roof Last In Florida
The average lifespan of a flat roof in Florida is 10-12 years.
Flat roofs are susceptible to leakage and termites, which can cause significant damage to your home.
Roofers offer a variety of roofing systems that can help you protect your investment for many years to come.
Thermoplastic olefin, or TPO membrane for short, is a cost-effective and durable single-ply roofing system that comes at the higher end of the lifespan.
The popularity of flat roofs is on the rise, and they have the greatest resistance to weather conditions in South Florida.
A pitched roof is an important part of the home building process because it allows rainwater to flow away from your foundation.
As it lets the water flow away from the roof, it eliminates potential risks like mold and algae growth, wood rot, or deterioration of roof materials .
Most commercial buildings have flat roofs, but why?
Well because of their huge size and design. It would be too expensive for a slope at the same angle as homes.
You might think that a flat roof is useless, but it actually sends water off the house quickly and efficiently.
Flat roofs are the perfect place for rainwater to gather when there is no slope in sight.
However, they have a minimal slant that barely shows, but will still allow gravity to do its thing and send any excess water off of your roof into the gutters below!
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How Long Does Epdm Rubber Last
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Regarding this, how long will a rubber roof last?
50 years
Furthermore, are EPDM roofs any good? EPDM rubber roofing is also very lightweight, so the roof deck doesnât need any kind of reinforcement. Because there are few seams, leaks are fairly rare and a good quality EPDM roof can last up to 20 years. Installers also have options of how they will install the material.
Correspondingly, can you walk on EPDM rubber roofing?
Can you walk on a rubberroofâ Yes, but only to an extent. All RKD Rubber Roofing Systems are designed to enable LIGHT foot traffic during installation and for any occasional cleaning or maintenance. The Resitrix membrane is reinforced and thicker than standard EPDM.
What is EPDM rubber used for?
EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, a synthetic rubber used in a range of applications. EPDM is used most commonly used in the automotive and construction industries for various seals due to its excellent resistance to environmental factors such as Ozone, UV and general weathering.
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Whats The Life Expectancy Of A Flat Roof
For homeowners and property stakeholders, its important to estimate when the roof might give out and need to be replaced. Unfortunately, flat roof life expectancy is more complicated than pitched roof life expectancy. The type of flat roof you have, your climate, the quality of the installation, and how much maintenance it gets will all play into how long your flat roof will last. While you could get 20 years from a flat roof, others might last less than a decade.
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How Long Does A Shingle Roof Last In Florida
The average life expectancy of a shingle roof in Florida is 20 years.
This can be shortened by exposure to the elements, such as hurricanes and high winds however, most roofs last longer than this.
Some homeowners might wonder how often they need to replace their shingles or whether they should invest in a new roof before its too late.
The answer depends on the type of shingle and how old it is, but if youre feeling any of these symptoms in your home it may be time: discoloration from algae growth under the shingles missing or broken tiles cracks in chimneys or other masonry work near the roof-line loose nails along ridge lines and valley rafters where two pieces meet at an angle or spaces between shingles that let water in.
Shingle manufacturers claim that their product can last up to 20 years, but in Florida its not always so.
Depending on where you live with humidity and exposure as well as windstorms your shingles lifetime may be reduced by at least ten percent!
How Do I Know If I Have Epdm Or Tpo
If possible remove a staple so you can look at both sides of the roofing material. If one side is a white or a dove color and the other side is black it is EPDM. If the roofing material is all one color, top and bottom, it is TPO.
Do you need planning permission to replace a flat roof?
Unfortunately, the answer is YES, YOU NEED PLANNING PERMISSION TO CONVERT A FLAT ROOF INTO A PITCHED ROOF. Any time you make changes to a property that makes it higher than the previous highest point, you will need planning permission to carry out the work.
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Tpo Or Thermoplastic Olefin
TPO roofs have been known to last 20 to 30 years. These flat roofing systems are common in commercial buildings such as warehouses, shopping malls, and expansive office complexes. With proper maintenance and repairs done by a qualified and experienced roofing contractor, a TPO roof can last up to the upper limit of its lifespan.
Flat Roof Repair From Splitting
Splitting is a rather common problem for flat roofs, occurring when the felt or asphalt material covering the roof suffers from cracks or tears. This doesnt just affect the outer appearance of the roof, but it can also allow water to get in through the gaps and into the interior of your property, resulting in leaks and damage from damp which can be difficult to fix in itself.
Splits in the roofing material can be caused by a number of things, including wear and tear from exposure to the elements, stresses on the material , water pooling, freeze-thawing or simply poor workmanship when the roof was first installed or recently repaired.
If you have noticed staining or the beginning signs of damp appearing on the ceiling or on the tops of the walls inside your property underneath the flat roof, this can also be a sign of splitting or other damage to the roof that is allowing in water.
Repairing a split can be a quick and simple fix, with the damaged area of material needing to be removed, the underneath cleaned and dried and a new section of material being laid over some new adhesive.
If you are confident with DIY you can realistically carry out this type of flat roof maintenance yourself, although it is recommended that you hire a professional to perform the repair as this means a high-quality repair that wont affect any insurance claims should your roof suffer from any major damage later on.
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How Do You Replace A Flat Roof
Once you decide its time to replace your flat roof and hire a reliable roofing contractor to do the job, youll be in for an extended process. You may be wondering, what is the flat roof replacement process like?
Below, well go over the flat roof replacement process, step-by-step, so you know what to expect.
Step 1. Remove roofing membranes
Step 2. Clean the roofing system, including flashing, vents, and wood areas.
Step 3. Remove and replace rotted plywood.
Step 4. Remove and replace rotted fascia.
Step 5. Install new HVAC stands and features if required.
Step 6. Install new insulation.
Step 7. Install new roofing membrane.
Step 8. Install perimeter flashings and fascia caps.
Step 9. Clean up debris.
How Long Is Your Flat Roof Going To Last
You can expect your flat roof to last up to 25 years in most instances. However, for this to be the case, you need to choose a reputable company for the installation and then you need to take the required steps to maintain your roof properly as well. A lot of the roofing companies will provide you with a guarantee on your flat roof, and this can often be as long as 20 years, so this gives you a good indication regarding how long they expect the roof to last.
However, do keep in mind that there are certain things that would make your guarantee void, so you do need to make sure that you maintain and care for your roof and that you do not do anything that would compromise the lifespan of it.
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How Long Does A Rubber Roof Last
Rubber roofing is made from slated dust, recycled rubber material, and sawdust. It is then processed into flat single-ply roofing coatings.
The cost per square foot makes rubber roofing one of the best options. Rubber roofs that have passed UL testing are known to be tough.
They reflect UV rays, insulate properties efficiently, and endure all weather effects.
How Expensive Is A Rubber Roof
What is the average cost of a rubber roof?
Can you put rubber roofing on a flat roof?
If you have a flat roof or a roof that has a pitch of less than 4 in 12, you may find yourself more limited in what it is you can install there. One of the most popular options for installing on this type of roof is rubber roofing.
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Life Span Of A Flat Roof
The lifespan of a flat roof depends on the material covering it. Asphalt coverings use layers of felt combined with molten asphalt and topped with a coating of gravel. This is an inexpensive flat roofing option, but typically only lasts about 10 years. Rubber roofing, which may be EPDM or elastomeric membrane, is a synthetic rubber roofing membrane that is not covered with gravel.
This roofing is more expensive than asphalt coatings, but offers excellent UV resistance and durability. It typically has a lifespan of 40 to 50 years, although most manufacturer warranties only guarantee a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Thermoplastic olefin membrane is another flat roof materials option made from ethylene propylene rubber and filler materials. It typically lasts between 40 and 50 years, and is resistant to tears, punctures and UV rays.
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Dont Stand On Your Roof
Unless your flat roof has been specifically installed to be able to be stood on, flat roofs are not designed to hold a persons body weight. By standing on the roof you can cause damage to the material, encouraging splitting and leaks, as well as being a general risk to your own safety. If you cannot reach an area of the roof to clean or mend yourself, hire a professional who is experienced in flat roof maintenance to do it for you.
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The Average Lifespan Of Flat Roofs
The different types of roofing materials used during construction determine how long your flat roof will last. Some of the common types of residential flat roofs include PVC, TPO, Built-up roof, and Torch down.
A built-up roof can last between 15 and 20 years depending on how well it is maintained. It is built with hot tar and at least three or more layers of waterproof material that are ballasted with a smooth layer of river stone.
PVC flat roofs are reinforced with fiberglass or polyester to create a durable roofing material. Since they are highly resistant to both fire and UV rays, you can expect these roofs to last up to 30 years. The thermoplastic polyolefin is a versatile flat roofing material that offers similar qualities to PVC and can last between 15 to 20 years. Modified bitumen or torch downs have a shorter lifespan than PVC and TPO. They are single-ply rolled roofs that have been treated with a mineral-based wear surface.
How Long Does It Take To Replace A Flat Roof
The amount of time spent on replacing a flat roof mainly depends on the materials used. The average time spent on replacing a flat roof is between 3-10 days. At Dominion Roofing, we are highly experienced and will ensure the entire process is done in the shortest time possible. We have highly skilled technicians that will deliver an excellent job.
You are probably wondering how to install metal roofing on house. Here is a simple guide on metal roofing installation.
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How Long Will Your Roof Last
Only a professional roofing contractor can tell you how long your specific roof will last. But getting an inspection and estimate is a great idea. Youll be able to take steps to maximize its lifespan or stop doing repairs on a roof that will need replacement.
If youre looking for a professional roofer in Palo Alto, San Jose, Mountain View, Fremont, or anywhere in between, feel free to reach out to your friends at Campbell Roofing.
