Flat Roof Repair Option: Roof Coatings
Here in Las Vegas, roofs are constantly exposed to high temperatures that cause a gradual breakdown of the roofing materials. The weakening of the roof may not be noticeable until a rainstorm hits. If youve noticed a minor leak or other wear and tear on your industrial or commercial roof, you could simply patch the problem area for a temporary fix. However, youll need to repeatedly replace the patches. The leak may also worsen over time, leading to worsening damage and high flat roof repair costs. Alternatively, you could add a roof coating to protect against future leaks. The professional technicians from The Original Roofing Company can show you your flat roof repair options so you can protect your investment for as long as possible.
Instead of simply patching a leak, you may want to go a step further to fully protect your roof by getting a roof coating. This consists of a thin layer of synthetic material that can give your roof long-term protection from the elements. A roof coating can be painted on in as little as a day and does not require tenants to vacate during work. This flat roof repair option provides much more comprehensive coverage than a few repairs and costs far less than a full roof replacement.
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.
What Is The Best Way To Prepare The Roof
Prepping the roof for recoating is key to ensuring the roof coating material will adhere. Delay the recoating if rain is in the immediate forecast. Optimum conditions to facilitate the drying of the commercial roof coating materials include low humidity and moderate temperatures.
Extreme weather, such as a hot summers day or a cold, winter afternoon, warrant rescheduling the recoating. Issues with cure times and product quality are inevitable under extreme climatic conditions. As a guideline, avoid recoating below 50 degrees and over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
In order for the roof coating material to stick, the rooftop must be clean. Sweep the entire roof to remove debris and dirt. If seam repairs are necessary, perform them before applying the coating. Roofing experts also recommend applying a primer to the roofing surface.
The condition of the rooftop should be inspected prior to recoating. Thermal scanners are used to determine areas of wet insulation or weakness, if any. Recoating a damaged roof will not extend its lifespan. Roofs with 25 percent or more wet damage require replacement rather than recoating.
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Hire Reliable Flat Roof Repair Experts In Etobicoke
When you realize that your flat roof is no longer performing optimally, reach out to the go-to roofing company in Etobicoke, Integrity Roofers. Three decades of service repairing and replacing flat roofs is where our expertise begins what we bring to our customers is regular maintenance, an eye for detail and proactive recommendations to out front of problems before they set in. To keep your roof in excellent condition, have a bi-annual inspection, and one after every weather event by one of our highly experienced team. What we do is simple: repairs and maintenance to all roofing systems. Our technicians have received SOPREMAs Programme of Affiliation for Quality + Safety training program, the most comprehensive training in the industry. We supply industry-standard solutions at the cutting edge of roofing technology to keep your roof watertight. For an estimate for all your flat roofing needs, fill out the form attached to the link or you can call our office today at for more information.
What Goes Into Repairing A Flat Roof
Flat roofsrequire a lot of knowledge and expertise when being maintained, repaired, orreplaced its essential that you use a qualified roofing company.
The bestrepair method for a flat roof is prevention. You should have qualifiedprofessionals inspect the roof semi-annually or after major storms, etc. Theycan identify any minor issues and repair them before they become major issues.They will also be able to identity if your roof needs repaired or replaced.Sometimes a roof may beyond repair and needs to be totally replaced. As ageneral rule, flat roofs need to be replaced every 10-15 years so a good placeto start is to find out how old your roof is.
One of thecommon flat roof issues mentioned earlier was the pooling of water. This iswhere liquid collects and can cause damage to the roofing materials. There maybe various reasons for water pooling but sometimes it may be as simple as thepitch of the roof being off. In this case, you can add a tapered insulationwhen replacing your flat roof. This will allow water to run off into thegutters and prevent pooling.
Rotteddecking is another issue often caused by leaking roofs. Many roofs are covered with a base sheet anda modified bitumen cap sheet. The cap sheet can be installed by hot moppingasphalt or torch applied. This is important to note because in order todetermine whether the decking is rotting, you need to strip away the felt inthe areas that are leaking to determine whether a roof needs replacing or if itcan be repaired.
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Best Sealants For Roof Leaks Of 2022
Sealants cover roof leaks and protect the remaining area from water and sunlight damage. To learn more about preserving your roof, read our review on the best roof sealants.
Roof sealants not only cover roof leaks, but they also provide a protective layer to prevent water and sunlight penetration. These sealants come in many forms, including liquid in a paint can, liquid in a spray can, liquid in a caulk gun, and adhesive tape. Theyre also made of a variety of materials, including rubber and polyurethane. To learn more about which type is best for your application, read our review on the best sealants for roof leaks.
Asphalt Flat Roof Repair
Common damage issues include blistering in the asphalt from heat conditions, cracks, wrinkles and/or splits, and sagging.
Emergency Fix
to the crack/damage works very well as an emergency solution to seal gaps. All products sold at Rawlins Paints come with instructions and usually PDFs are also available for download.
Permanent Fix
Asphalt roofs can be repaired by having a small patch of roofing felt torched on. Alternately, one of the professional liquid systems available at rawlinspaints.com can repair leaks on asphalt roofs.
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Apply Primer & Detailer
Before using the Topcoat you should first lay down a layer of primer. This can be applied with a brush or roller. The exact amount required will vary depending on the porosity of your roofing material, but typically 0.1 0.3 litres should be used per square metre. This means that a 4-litre can will cover 20sqm.
Vertical areas such as upstands or pipe collars will require the use of a detailer. As opposed to a primer, this has fibres built into it to prevent the liquid from slumping. It should be applied at a minimum coverage rate of 18kg/sqm.
Before moving on, you should make sure that both the primer and detailer have dried completey. This should take around 2-3 hours.
Applying Sealant To A Flat Roof
Flat roof sealant is found as not just one product but several products and items that you use in order to properly seal a flat roof. The flat roof sealant process prevents water, moisture, and debris from entering the building or home. Completing the flat roof sealant process isn’t difficult, but is one project that can be laborious and very detailed. The article that follows will show you how to seal a flat roof.
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What To Do When Your Flat Roof Leaks In Heavy Rain
Nothing is quite as concerning as seeing a constant drip of water coming from your ceiling. This is a possibility if you neglect to repair your roof. As water flows from your ceiling during heavy rain, there is little you can do. But to limit the water damage, here are some ways to repair flat roof leaks:
- Locate the source or location of the leak by checking the ceiling and attic to find the leak.
- Put containers under the leak to catch the water. To keep your floor as dry as possible and safe to walk on, collect the leaking water in buckets and mop around the area regularly.
How To Find A Leak On A Flat Roof
The best time to look for a leak is when the roof has been dry for at least three days, and in the evening/night-time, when after cooling down, the flat roof leak hot-spot will release heat that has stored underneath the hole during the day.
If this technique is not possible, below are other ways to detect a leak on a flat roof and remember to clearly mark the area of the leak when you find it:
Buy flat roof repair materials here
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Flat Roof Repairs Vs Flat Roof Replacement Options
We might be generalizing, but most contractors want you to believe that repairing a flat roof is a waste of time and money.
They will likely tell you that once you notice a leak, the damage to the roof is so significant that patching or repairing it will be a short-term fix at best and last less than one year.
And whats worse, water might still be seeping in and causing mold, rot and other major problems.
How to know when it would be smarter to put the money toward a new roof? Ask yourself these questions:
- Is your roof generally in good condition?
- Did hail cause a roof hail damage or was it caused by wind roof damage?
- Is the damaged area small and can it be easily covered?
If these conditions are met a roof repair is probably the best option.
However, there is one major condition the repair flat roof must be done properly. If youre confident in your abilities, you can DIY it but if youre not, reach out to a well-reviewed and recommended roof contractor.
How To Seal Your Roof
A very simple solution, suitable for a wide range of roofing types, is to apply a liquid waterproofing membrane such as Classic Liquid Top Coat. It can be used for the following applications:
- Mastic Applicator Gun & Caulking tool
- Long Handled Paint Roller
- Soft bristled long handled brush or broom
- Stirrer or piece of wood
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What Are Common Recoating Pitfalls
Even upon choosing the right roof coating material, unanticipated problems can arise and compromise the coatings ability to perform optimally. For instance, while many coatings offer waterproofing properties, roof coatings are not designed to seal leaks. Repair leaks and irregularities prior to recoating.
Another issue is the presence of moisture under the coating. Wet areas can result in blistering and delamination. Insulation can become wet and rigid when moisture becomes trapped between the roofs plies. Plus, the coating cannot seal correctly unless primer is applied first.
The clear solution to possible dampness under the coating is to ensure the roof is completely dry prior to recoating. Remove all moisture from the roof, and scrape away any lingering debris. A dry, clean surface facilitates the proper application of coating materials.
How To Seal A Flat Roof
The flat roofs are very strong and extremely durable, and over time it can withstand the changing weather conditions.
You can give the roof a new life and it is very easy to seal your flat roof. With the help of a paint roller and a squeegee, the roof will be back in shape and you will save money.
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What Causes Flat Roof Leaks
There are many causes of flat roof leaks. The common sources include the following:
- Inadequate drainage. If your roof cant properly drain water, it will pool. Over time, standing water can destroy roofing materials that make the roof susceptible to leaks.
- An old roof. Older roofs are more prone to leaks as years of heat, sun, rain, and wind destroy the roofing material.
- Damaged flashing. Improperly installed or damaged flashing leaves the corners of the roof exposed to the elements, including rain. Poor flashing can allow water to penetrate the roofing system.
- Problematic roof membrane. Tears, cracks, punctures, shrinking, and blistering of the roof membrane leave the interior of the roof vulnerable to water damage and leaks.
- Standing water. Water is heavy and even a small puddle of standing water can cause excessive strain, wear, and tear on your flat roof. These factors ultimately weaken the roof to the point where it can no longer stand up against leaks.
Open roof penetrations.
Fill Depression With Wet Patch
Water will pool and potentially leak in depressions, so they must be raised to the level of the surrounding roof deck. Use the putty knife and wet patch to fill in the depression. Proceed immediately to the next step to avoid the patch from drying up on you.
Apply wet patch in temperatures greater than 0° F and less than 120° F. Though most wet patch repair products can be applied to wet surfaces, dry surfaces usually yield the best results.
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How To Repair A Flat Roof: What To Look For And What To Avoid
Image source: Royal Roofing
If you have a flat or low-slope roof, you’re probably familiar with EPDM or TPO rubber. While these materials may be weatherproof and can last up to 50 years, they can also stretch and degrade over time, causing leaks. EPDM is among the most common flat roof options for residential and commercial roofing, and it is possible to fix yourself. But if your roof has TPO or another rubber material like PVC or modified butamin, we recommend hiring a professional to repair the roof. In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for, common mistakes to avoid, and how to repair your flat roof if you’re able to do it yourself.
What Are Some Common Flat Roof Issues
Flat roofsdo not have the angles that sloped roofs have. Therefore, the natural challengewith flat roofs is moisture and water. If the roof is poorly installed or thereis not adequate drainage, liquids may pool on the roof. The roof is designed tohold up water but if the water is allowed to stay there for a long period oftime it will ultimately lead to deterioration of the exterior of the roof,which may result in a shortened lifespan and/or leakage.
Once a roofstops preventing water from entering the building then it may lead to otherproblems within the building such as mold, etc.
Anothercommon issue with a flat roof is aging. Over time the roofs asphalt may loseits elasticity and result in cracks appearing. These are usually signs that theroof needs repairing or if the damage is extensive it may need to be replaced.If a flat roof cracks, it may be structurally compromised therefore, it isextremely important to immediately contact a roofing professional.
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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.
How To Seal Flat Roofs
Although flat roofs are strong and durable, the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun and extreme weather conditions will take a toll over time. Hiring a professional roofing crew to re-coat your flat roof will lower your bank account considerably. You can quickly give the roof a new lease on life and it isn’t as difficult as you may think. Use a paint roller and a squeegee to get the roof back in good shape and keep your money in your own pocket.
1.
Check the weather and choose a day when no rain is expected for 48 hours and the temperature is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, to allow adequate curing time.
2.
Remove all areas of ponding water with a wet/dry vacuum.
3.
Inspect the roof for holes or tears in the seams. Use a caulking gun to fill all open seams, holes or tears with roofer’s caulk. Don’t use silicone caulk because the rubber coating will not adhere to silicone.
4.
Remove asphalt patches and old silicone caulking material, using a scraper. Re-fill the patches and seams with a generous bead of roofer’s caulk. Apply self-adhesive, butyl roofing tape to every seam or tear that appears too large to caulk.
5.
Sweep the roof of all dirt, leaves and debris, using a push broom.
6.
Apply a mildewcide cleaner to mold and mildew. Clean the roof with soapy water. Use a stiff-bristled, long-handled brush to scrub away the dirt. Rinse the roof with clear water and allow it to dry completely.
Tips
Warnings
- Use caution when you work on a roof.
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