A flat roof is undoubtedly a good choice, considering the fact that it gives the home a classy and modern look. Moreover, a flat roof is also cheaper and offers additional outdoor space. While having a flat roof is certainly a smart choice, you must keep in mind that taking proper care of your roof is necessary too. Else, you would start losing money unnecessarily on frequent repairs.
How can you avoid frequent roof repairs?
Your roof is essentially an integral part of your home and a problem in the roof can prove to be quite troublesome. Without adequate care, your roof could start leaking or even collapse. Frequent flat roof repair is certainly not a very economical option for a household. However, you can certainly prevent your roof from developing issues on a frequent basis. This way, your flat roof would last longer without requiring you to hire repairing services every few months.
- Arrange for adequate drainage
Rainwater is one of the key elements that damage flat rooftops. Standing and stagnant water leads to hairline cracks and roof collapse. You would want to ensure adequate drainage so that rainwater does not collect on your roof. A simple drain and pipework to take the water outside should do the trick. During the flat roof installation, you may also get it installed in a slightly sloping manner.
- Apply waterproofing solutions
Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm the drainage system on your roof. Even if there isn’t much standing water, small amounts of it can seep into your roof. If your roof consists of a porous material like asphalt or tiles, consider applying a waterproofing coating to extend its lifespan. Ideally, you would want to hire experienced professionals who know the right way to waterproof a roof.
- Repair cracks without delay
In case cracks appear on your roof, get them repaired immediately. A simple fissure on a flat roof can quickly grow into a major problem, with the exposure to weather causing it to grow. When at an initial stage, a professional can fix a crack effectively. Particularly, you might want to look out for cracks around any raised ridges on your roof.
- Prevent the growth of rogue plants
Although a roof does not exactly offer optimal conditions for plant growth, it is quite common to find saplings growing on roofs. You should remove any such plant from your flat roof at the soonest. If you allow the plant to grow, it will develop a strong root system that would severely damage your roof. Keeping your roof clean of dirt and leaves would help to prevent such plants from growing.
- Replace your roof timely
Every roof has a lifespan. Over time, it starts suffering from damages as a result of exposure to heat and moisture. Make sure that you arrange for a flat roof replacement whenever necessary. The company that installs the roof should give you an estimate of how long the roof is likely to last. However, you should also get your roof checked by a professional once a year to see if an early replacement is necessary.
Should you seek professional help?
You can certainly take care of the basic maintenance tasks like cleaning the leaves and removing saplings by yourself. However, consider hiring a reputed flat roof company for the more complicated tasks. For instance, you should always get a professional to apply a waterproofing solution, because improper waterproofing would be ineffective. It would be ideal to hire a professional occasionally to perform an inspection. Look out for the most reputed and reliable roofing companies near you for professional services.