Owners of commercial buildings know that the roof of their facility has to put up with a lot. Heavy rains, hailstorms, freezing rain, and intense UV rays can all limit the life of your flat roof and increase the need for flat roof repair.
The team at Preferred Roofing can be your go to flat roof contractors to help get as much life out of your flat roof as possible. From inspections to repairs to replacements and installations, you can rely on them to provide you with a weather-tight roof in all seasons.
The challenges of an effective flat roof repair are listed below.
What is a Flat Roof Made of?
Most commercial buildings are rectangular boxes with attached rectangular boxes. Unlike a residential roof with a peak, which will shed water and snow, a commercial roof is flat. This provides business owners with the most space under cover; the area where the ceiling meets the wall is 90 degrees.
Common Flat Roof Repair and Replacement Materials
As previously stated, Oklahoma City roofs have to deal with a lot. Flat roof contractors in this area offer a wide variety of information on what’s currently in use and what new products may offer the best flat roof repair options.
Built-up Roof (BUR) Systems
BUR, or tar and gravel system, has been around for a long time. This roofing material is quite heavy and is made by building up layers of roofing product, including asphalt and fiberglass, sealed with tar. Flat roof contractors can inform you about your flat roof repair and replacement options when this roof ages.
Modified Bitumen Systems
Modified bitumen is an asphalt membrane with a deep overlap sealed to a roof. While these roofs are quite durable, they are often dark in color and can cause a lot of heat build-up in your building under direct sunlight. Additionally, these systems are vulnerable to UV damage along the seams over time. Both BUR and modified bitumen are cheaper to install and maintain.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Single-Ply Membranes
TPO membranes come in wide rolls and offer many benefits. The width of these rolls reduces the risk of leakage and breakdown at the seams. They’re flexible, so the risk of hail damage is lower. They’re light in color, reducing the risk of heat build-up.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Single-Ply Membranes
EPDM and TPO membranes both have higher cost ends; however, they also offer a longer-lasting roof. The indication is that an EPDM roof can last for up to 30 years. It can be fully adhered to your roof, plated in place, or simply weighed down. You can get this membrane in either black or white.
Signs You Need Flat Roof Repair
A leak isn’t the first sign you need to repair or replace your roof. Regular inspections can tell you if there’s pooling water on your roof, which indicates poor drainage. If you see standing water on your roof, call a professional.
Your existing membrane may be blistering or showing signs of cracking. At the seams, a membrane roof is vulnerable to UV damage and hail. Older membranes can curl at the edges. If the membrane encounters serious hail, it may be punctured. BUR, or tar and gravel roofs, may be slick due to granule loss over time.
Can Flat Roof Be Metal?
Yes, and metal roofs are quite durable. However, metal works effectively on a low slope roof. If you want to change your traditional roof to metal, you may need to upgrade the roof’s structure.
When to Replace Flat Roof vs Repairing It
You should plan to have your commercial roof inspected regularly and replaced every 15 years. Your inspector can warn you about water damage, UV damage, or hail dings. If the material is curling or showing signs of breaking down along the seams, it’s aging out and needs replaced.
Your inspector can also help you plan for repairs. If your roof is mostly sound but showing a few signs of UV breakdown or concentrated hail damage, a simple flat roof repair may be all that’s needed.
Flat Roof Leak Repair
As soon as your roof starts to leak, call Preferred Roofing. Any roof deck that gets wet and stays wet can become soft and dangerous to walk on. If you treat the damaged area quickly, it may be an easy fix.
This simple flat roof repair may be as easy as a single-ply patch of the same material. Depending on the existing roofing material, the existing damage may need to be heated to remove it, such as on a bitumen roof. Flat roof contractors are well aware of the new roofing technology available. Before searching for flat roof repair near me, call Preferred Roofing so you can get information on the most lightweight, durable repair options.
Preferred Roofing can find the source of the leak and determine how much of the roof deck has damage. Fixing the leak at the source, sealing the leak and making sure the existing roof and the patch are fully cured is key.
Flat Roof Repair FAQs
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If your roof needs patching, we’ll match the material and apply an expert repair. If it needs replacing, the current condition of the roof and your budget will determine the best product for your project.
TPO, or thermoplastic polyolefin, is a popular roofing membrane. It comes on a roll and must be applied by a certified roofing contractor. It’s weather resistant and will reflect sunlight, reducing heat build-up in your commercial building.
Silicone roofing is a liquid product rolled out over the existing roof. Because silicone flows as it’s applied, it can offer protection against cracks and seam gaps. This material also allows some flex and can tolerate many weather conditions.
Metal roofing can also go on a flat or commercial roof. However, some preparatory work may be needed to ensure that your new metal roof allows airflow and drainage. The importance of drainage cannot be understated; water weighs 8 pounds per gallon. Standing water or snow on your roof can put a lot of stress on your building.
Spray foam can also produce a watertight roof after a few steps. Once all the steps are complete and the spray foam roof has cured, you can walk on it.
Reach out to Preferred Roofing for a careful inspection and flat roof repair estimate first. Not all roofing materials can be safe to walk on, and if your roof has been leaking for a while, it may have suffered some rot. Your Oklahoma City roof has to deal with severe weather! You need an experienced flat roof repair professional.
You can walk on TPO and spray foam, but if your roof has been leaking for a while, you should avoid walking on it until you get it inspected. Yes, it’s holding up your air conditioner. However, other areas may be soft or rotting.
You need to get a skilled contractor to inspect the leak. It could be from hail damage or overloading your roof with water because it’s not draining. An expert professional can determine the safest steps to inspecting and repairing your roof.
Snow is heavy. Because winter weather in Oklahoma City can also include freezing rain, getting your roof checked out before winter is critical to its safety. Accumulating snow can be incredibly destructive to your commercial roof.
Choosing Flat Roof Contractors in Oklahoma City
Flat or commercial roofs bear a great deal of weight. Heavy units, including chillers and air conditioners, may be up there. Protecting such a roof ensures that the building drains properly in any season.
You need skilled flat roof contractors with the experience and skills to assess your roof, plan for appropriate drainage, and repair or replace it as needed. Preferred Roofing has more than 30 years of experience in the commercial and residential roofing business. It can help you ensure that your roof will continue to protect your Oklahoma City business.
Contact Preferred Roofing for a Free Consultation
If you are unsure of your roof’s age or condition, Preferred Roofing can assess its current condition. Whether your roof has suffered storm damage or is simply wearing out, you will have the information you need to make the right choice for your investment.
Regular inspections of your commercial roof can save the cost of the hassle of damage, leaks, and other issues that can arise as a roof ages. To get the most years out of your roof, inspect it with Preferred Roofing so you can plan for necessary upgrades like a flat roof repair.
Preferred Roofing is the top roof company in OKC, offering expert commercial roofing & residential roofing repair in Oklahoma City. Specializing in metal roofing, shingle roofers, TPO roofing, spray foam roof, and silicone roofing. From metal shingles to standing seam roofs, explore our cost-effective solutions, including corrugated metal, steel sheets, asphalt shingles, and more. As the best roof contractors in OKC, we prioritize satisfaction, providing durable solutions for both commercial and residential roofing.