It is quite a known factor that flat roofs leak. Your overhead roof could have a leak somewhere in the future. This is more relevant when it is a flat roof because water does not run off easily from the surface and it stays, and it makes the roof vulnerable and prone to leaks. You, therefore, must have a plan for flat roof repair.
Causes of Flat Roof Leaks
There can be multiple reasons for roof leaks, and they can strike in any condition. Although there are many causes of leakage, we have identified three as the most common and most adverse to the performance of your building. These three reasons are:
- Harsh environment
- Standing water on the roof
- Obsolete roofing materials
If your house is in a position of severe weather and extreme temperatures, the elements will wear and tear the building and you cannot help it very much. Eventually, you can solve the problem if your roofing system is obsolete, but you will definitely need to spend some money to repair that. Do not stop reading here if you evaluate your roof and see that you have outdated technology.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
Built-up roofing or BUR is for a variety of reasons a popular choice for commercial building owners. For one thing, it’s comparatively cheap. BUR roofing consists of different layers, which make it an effective isolator. BUR roofing is an attractive option, usually with a gravel topcoat that is aesthetic.
Yet BUR roofs have their annoyance, too. The many layers of a BUR roof raise its weight considerably, often requiring the addition of reinforced joints. BUR roof construction is also very stressful for a business because the building will typically be completely vacated during the entire installation process.
Single-Ply EPDM
A single-ply rubber material used in flat rooftop use is a monomer roofing, commonly known as EPDM or rubber roofing. The roofs of EPDM are known for their toughness and their life expectancy.
On the other hand, EPDM roofs require a lot of maintenance and feature a multitude of adhesive seams that make it vulnerable to problems.
Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen is another single-ply material, which is one of the greener flat roof options, helping to lower energy costs. Modified bitumen is typically rolling onto the roof layer. Formerly, modified bitumen was used to place the material on the roof and then heat it, but newer systems use a safer method of installation for peeling the material and then stick it to the roof.
Spray Applied Coating
There are many different spray coatings designed for any application that you can think of. Coatings are great options for replacing the flat roof as they can be applied directly to the roof area. Flat roofs have three primary coating options: silicone, acrylic and aluminum. Such materials have fluid immediately added to the surface of the roof and then treated once. This allows for smooth deployment to prevent leaks.
The strengths and weaknesses of each of the three coatings are different, so you will need to test the current roof surface and see which things are most important to you before making a decision.
For commercial roofing or flat roof repair in OKC, contact Preferred Roofing. See our services, what do we provide and how we can help you.