4 Common Low-Slope Roof Problems
By Stacy MelleteFlat roofs require specialized coverings because they don’t shed water well and are often walked on. Compared with their steep-slope counterparts, they face more detriments that accelerate wear and tear. To keep your commercial roofing in Brandon in good repair, these are the main problems to watch out for:
1. Leakage
Leaks are not exclusive to residential roofing in Brandon Florida. Regular foot traffic and damaging elements could puncture single-ply membranes, while the resistance of tar and gravel roofing solutions to high levels of moisture decreases over time. Even metal, one of the toughest materials today, could sustain damage from storms.
Furthermore, leaks don’t only develop naturally. Poor workmanship could cause premature failure and precipitate water intrusion into your building, especially when it comes to modified bitumen roofs.
2. Blow-Offs
Bad installation lowers the wind uplift resistance of most flat roofs as well. Improperly applied flashing and inadequately cured seams put even high-quality commercial roofing contractor Brandon FL systems at great risk for a blow-off. Although the primary roofing layers manage to stay fastened on top of your building, evidence of billowing is an alarming red flag itself.
3. Ponding
Without enough slope, rain water would pond and cause a host of problems. Standing water would suck the strength of any type of commercial roof over time and add extra weight for your building to bear. When unaddressed, ponding prevents your roofing system from performing the way it should.
4. Shrinkage
Every single-ply membrane has its own weaknesses, but the most prone to shrinkage is EPDM. It happens when the membrane shrinks due to thermal movement but fails to return to its original form after expanding.
Much like other problems, immediate roof repairs could fix localized shrinkage issues easily. The key, however, is to identify the issue at its earliest to avoid dealing with bigger headaches.
At Affordable Roofing Systems, we specialize in fixing virtually all types of flat roofing systems and provide proven maintenance programs to stay ahead of problems. To learn more about our services and get a free estimate in St. Petersburg and Tampa, FL, call us today at (813) 542-8462.