How To Repair A Concrete Roof
Surface wear and cracks are the most common causes of concrete flat roof leaks. If your concrete roof is older, natural wear and tear might disguise smaller cracks, making them harder to spot than on other surfaces, such as fibreglass.
In any event, once youve located the crack and cleaned and dried the surrounding area, you can go for a quick, short-term solution.
This is how to temporarily fix a leaking flat roof made from concrete:
Start by applying bitumen primer. Once youre convinced its dry, liberally apply bitumen-based waterproof sealant or paint.
With a bigger crack, the best flat roof fix for the issue is to fit a sufficiently large torched-on layer of roofing felt.
How To Tell You Need Flat Roof Repair
Flat commercial roofs have a finite lifespan. Over the years, the hot Las Vegas sun can break down roofing material that protects your buildings roof from leaks. Below are some ways to tell you need flat roof repair:
- Repeated, extensive water pooling on the roof
- Large tears, cracks, or rips in the roof or seams
- Blistering and bubbling from adhesion failure
- The presence of moisture and leaks inside the building
- The pulling away of flashing from the corners of the roof
- The presence of lichen, mold, moss, and\or algae
- Damaged top coat
Some commercial roofs are made of materials that hide problems. It is best to call professional roofing contractors to address these unseen problems.
Tar Roof Repair Basics
The first step in the tar roof repair process is to locate the source of the problem. Unfortunately, by the time you realize that there is a problem the damage has been done. The proactive approach is to have a qualified roof inspector come out periodically to take a look at your flat roof and check for potential problems. Its common to have leaks around areas such as vents, pipes, the edges of the building, and anywhere else there could be separation, degradation, or damage. Examples of this are vent flashing, loose counter flashing, uplifting fasteners, plastic roof boots, and general exposure.
If the roofs gravel has been disturbed, it could expose roofing material that will eventually degrade due to exposure. These are some common issues that must be addressed by a professional. Patching and reapplication of gravel are often necessary.
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Preventing Future Flat Roof Leaks
Puddled water on a flat roof will wear down the materials faster and create a potential leaking issue. Additionally, it will also cause mold and mildew to grow on the roof. If you do have mildew growing on the roof, hose off the roof, use a cleaning solution and add zinc strips.
Two options to consider that will alleviate the issue are:
- Installing flashing Counter flashing on your flat roof will prevent leaks around chimneys and vents. A professional roofer should install this for you.
- Ensure the use of a membrane Using a rubber membrane on the flat roof is typically installed on top of shingles to take the place of gravel on a flat roof. This is great for gaining longevity of the current roofing material.
Prime The Repair Area
Once the surface of the patch area is free of all dust, debris, and moisture, apply the liquid asphalt primer to the roof surface, with either a brush or roller. There are also products available in a spray can form which work well.
Allow the primer to flash off so that there is no excess primer on the surface of the roof. A primer that is too wet will inhibit the adhesion of the patch.
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What Is A Flat Roof
A flat roof is a roof that is almost level. This is in stark contrast to the many types of sloped roofs. The slope of a roof is properly known as its pitch, and flat roofs have up to approximately 10°. Flat roofs are a tested and trusted form of roofing mostly used in extreme climates.
Flat roofs, also known as low-slope roofs, are commonly found on commercial buildings throughout the world. They are generally defined as a low-slope roof
Flat roofs exist all over the world, and each area has its tradition or preference for materials used. In warmer climates, where there is less rainfall and freezing is unlikely to occur, many flat roofs are built of masonry or concrete.
In this case, its good at keeping out the heat of the sun, cheap and easy to build where timber is not readily available. However, flat roofs are not suitable for some areas and are may not be advisable for safety reasons. Such areas include where the roof could become saturated by rain and leak, or where water soaking into the brickwork can freeze, thereby compromising the integrity of the roof.
In Canada, flat roofs are very common. They suit the climate, are aesthetic and durable when taken care of properly.
Now That You Know Whats Involved Here Are Five Signs Its Time For Tar Roof Repair For Your Building:
1. The Roof Is Leaking
Naturally, this is the most obvious sign. However, leaks are not always obvious. A roof can leak for quite some time before you notice it. Periodic checks for telltale signs of water damage should be done. By the time you notice actual water dripping from the ceiling, much of the damage has already been done.
2. Blisters on the Tar Surface
When the membrane begins to separate from the bonding material, the next problem will be tearing. This can happen over time with exposure to the elements. Quick action can prevent leaks and damage.
3. Pooling of Water on the Roof
This can happen if there is improper drainage. Flat roofs are best in a climate that receives minimal rainfall. However, if you have had an especially wet year, you may want to double-check your roof for ponding. If your roof has begun to sag, or if your drainage system is blocked, this can also cause ponding of water on the roof. Over time, this will cause damage to the tar roofing, and lead to leaking.
4. Seams Have Started to Separate
This problem could be a result of poor workmanship or it may happen if the roof is older. Whatever the cause, the issue of separating seams must be addressed by a roofing professional immediately.
5. Gravel Wears Away from the Tar Layer
Regular inspection can catch this before it becomes a problem. However, the fact remains that you may not think of your roof until there is a need for tar roof repair.
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Early Signs That A Flat Roof Needs To Be Repaired
Long before the dripping through the ceiling starts, dark brown patches of moisture can develop, as damp from a damaged flat roof seeps slowly through. It is at this stage that you need to get the leak fixed or at least investigated to check whether it is a small joint fix that is required or something bigger. If you are in doubt about the safety of climbing onto a flat roof and whether it can sustain your weight, please do contact a local professional roofer.
If the roof is old and in an exposed area, its timbers may have become rotten over a sustained period of time. Timber can also sag under pools of accumulated water and old chipboard decks can break up/disintegrate when damp look for concentric circle stains from dried up water in low spots on the roofing too and not just for pools of water.
TIP 2: Place a board across the flat roof to walk on and spread your weight. Do not position the board close to an edge and place markers in areas that may otherwise be in your blind-spot.
Locating the source of the leak is not as easy as looking directly above where the damp patch is on the ceiling. Water can get under the surface and run in any number of directions between layers before it leaks through the boarding and into the room below.
Rawlins stock repair products for roofs of any gradient, and for light to heavy traffic
Flat Roof Leak Warning Signs
Long before a flat roof leak occurs, there are numerous warning signs you should keep an eye out for.
- Damp, dark brown patches on the ceiling indicate that moisture is seeping through your roof, which could become a major issue if not dealt with swiftly.
- If your flat roofed garage or extension is quite old and exposed to the elements, you may notice your flat roof sagging or dipping. This is an indication that the timbers have begun to rot and will eventually give way, meaning a full flat roof replacement may be in order.
- Be on the lookout for low spots atop your flat roof, as water can pool here, placing undue stress on the structure below and slowly disintegrating the chipboard decking through exposure to excess moisture.
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Solution For A Small Leak
Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation, push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic. Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier, such as at ceiling light fixtures.
If you cant see any telltale flow marks, and since the stain is fairly small, look at the underside of the roof for shiners. A shiner is a nail that missed the framing member, in this case when the carpenter nailed the roof sheathing to the rafters. Moisture that escapes into the cold attic from the rooms below often condenses on cold nails. Sometimes you can spot this if you climb up into your attic on a cold night. The nails will look white because theyre frosted. When the attic heats up a bit during the day, the frost melts and drips, then the nails frost up at night again and so on. The solution is to simply clip the nail with a side-cutting pliers.
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How To Fix A Fibreglass Roof Leak
Repairing a leaking GRP or fibreglass roof is relatively simple, as long as you only use products designed for fibreglass roofing. Some of the most common causes of a leaking GRP roof include broken flashings, and cracks or splits near joints and raised areas. Fibreglass roofs are also known to be susceptible to ponding water.
An excellent choice for repairing a fibreglass roof leak temporarily is to use a small amount of Acrylic sealant around the affected area. The best way to apply this is using a brush, but only once the area has been thoroughly cleaned of any dirt, moss, or algae. If youre looking to perform a more long-term repair however, you should first scour the area with acetone and sand it using 60-grade grit paper. You should then laminate a 600g chopped strand mat over the hole using resin, and apply a topcoat to match your roof once this has cured.
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How To Repair A Built
Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. He is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
Perry Mastrovito/Getty Images
- Working Time: 1 2 hrs
- Total Time: 1 2 hrs
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Estimated Cost: $40 to $60
Many homes and commercial buildings have flat or low-pitched roof structures, and many of these feature asphalt-based roof systems installed on them. These built-up roof systems can be either smooth surfaced or have a gravel surface on them to help protect them from weathering.
As these roof systems age and begin to break down, cracks and splits may appear around the perimeter, in the flashings, and the general field of the roof. In order to maintain these roof systems and maximize the life of the roof, repair these roofs as soon as leaks occur.
General repairs to an asphalt built-up roof system can be accomplished quickly and effectively, by using the following list of materials and hand tools.
Origins Of Roofing Tar
Tar has an interesting history. Six centuries ago, wood tar was known for its maritime uses. Specifically, it was used to preserve the wood and rigging of boats. However, in certain parts of Scandinavia, it was considered to be a cash crop to small landowners and was traded for staples.Eventually, the tar showed up in larger cities and towns and was further distributed. In the beginning, barrels of tar were exported from the area in which it was produced. There were some areas that were thought to produce inferior tar such as Russia and Finland.By the mid-1600s, NorrlSndska TjSrkompaniet, a Swedish wood tar company, was allowed the privilege of sole exportation. However, by 1900, the company had lost its reign and other countries were starting to export tar again.The maritime uses for tar started to slow down at the end of the 19th century. Also, the production of tar started to diminish in the U.S. However, there were many technological advances taking place during this era. In the 20th century, natural wood tar would be replaced with artificial sealants.
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Flat Roof Repair: A Guide On What To Do
by BarrettM | Aug 25, 2020 | Blog |
Dealing with a flat leaky roof can be extremely frustrating, not to mention that if things are not done properly, the leaky roof can be extremely detrimental to your propertys overall integrity and value.
While all roof leaks are problematic, a leak in a flat roof is particularly complicated.
Flat roof repair or commercial flat roof repair can range from somewhat simple to incredibly complex fixes or even reconstruction that involves complicated roof insurance claims and experienced professional support.
Is It Time For Tar Roof Repair Heres How To Know For Sure
Whether your roof is made up of asphalt shingles or is a flat roof covered with tar paper and gravel, there will come a time when you need tar roof repair. Depending on the type of roofing, the climate, and the quality of the original work and materials, your roof may last you about 20 years. However, during that period of time, you will need professional maintenance and repair work.
How can you know if its time for tar roof repair, and what can you expect from the process? Keep reading to find out what you need to know.
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Can You Tar In The Rain
This is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no answer. The short answer is that, yes, you can tar our roof in the rain. If you use a rubberized tar that specifically can be applied in the rain and the surface area is clean just before applying it, the tar could adhere to the roof.
The longer answer is that you should try to avoid applying the tar in the rain if at all possible. Because most roofing tar is an oily, dark mixture that is made from petroleum byproducts and coal tar, it is already slick in nature. If there is rain and you are not using a rubberized tar, there is a very good chance that the tar will not adhere to the surface that it is being applied to.
Ideally, you will have a few consecutive days of sunshine without snow or rain before you tar the roof so that the tar has time to cure. An ideal temperature is also around the 70 degrees Fahrenheit mark, though you can apply the roofing tar at lower temperatures. In hotter temperatures, the roofing tar could start to drip, which can create a nightmare of a mess to clean up.
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Locate And Identify The Leak On The Flat Roof
Locating a leak on your flat roof is not the easiest task. Many will say that it is easier than finding a leak on a sloped roof, however, that doesnt necessarily mean that you as the homeowner can make the discovery. You are first going to look at the location where you noticed the water is entering the room.
You should follow along with a roof leak repair guide to try and troubleshoot the location of your leak. Often times a leak can begin on one area of the roof exterior and run down the roofing material until it finds an opening to drain down into. Since the water can travel, it is a good start to find the water leak inside the home and then trace it back to the area outside the home.
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When You Should Not Choose A Tar & Gravel Roof
While tar and gravel roofing or built-up roofing systems have many positive aspects, if you live in an area or the roof is in a location where it will receive strong sun exposure, hot tar roofs will likely damage the roofs membrane if it is left uncovered or unevenly covered by the gravel.
It is also not typically recommended for areas that receive large amounts of snow or rain, since extreme precipitation can cause significant damage as this roof type is more prone to leaks, particularly if the underlying layers and flashing were not installed properly to begin with.
This is because flat roofing is prone to something referred to as ponding, which is when water pools and stays on a flat roofing surface for more than forty-eight hours, forming a pond that places increased weight on the roof.
Ponding can change the roofs overall structure, causing depressions and affect the drainage slope which causes the ponding to continue, increasing the likelihood of more damage.
Ongoing pooling or ponding can result in vegetation and mosses as well as mildew growing on the roof surface, which can lock in moisture and cause further deterioration.
An adequate drainage system can prevent this problem, but it is still not always recommended to install a tar and gravel roofing system in an area that receives high levels of rain or snow.
As always, check with local experts like your public adjusters when seeking this kind of advice.
