Flat roofs are good for business buildings, garages and homes in Pickering because they are easier to get to and can be used for other things on the roof. But flat roofs have their own architectural issues that can cause problems that need to be fixed by an expert. At Professional Roofers Toronto we have a lot of experience finding and fixing all kinds of flat roof problems. We know how important it is to fix these problems right away before they get worse and cost you a lot of money that affects your whole property. A Roof Inspection helps identify wear, damage, and potential issues before they become costly problems. Regular Roof Inspection services ensure your roofing system stays safe and reliable.
One of the most common and annoying problems we see with flat roofs is water pooling. When water sits on the roof for more than forty-eight hours after it has stopped raining this happens. Flat roofs aren’t perfectly level but they have a lot less slope than pitched roofs. This means correct drainage design and maintenance is very important for roof performance. Water can pool in low areas on the surface when drains get clogged with leaves, debris or sediment or when the roof structure settles unevenly over time as the building moves. This standing water breaks down roofing materials faster, adds a lot of weight that puts stress on the building and makes it easy for leaks to form and get worse. We fix ponding water problems by completely clearing blocked drainage systems, adding new drains in areas that have been a problem for a long time and in more serious cases adding tapered insulation layers to increase the slope of the surface and send water towards drainage points.
Another common repair we see is membrane damage. Flat roofs use membrane materials like EPDM rubber, TPO, PVC or modified bitumen to make the waterproof barrier that keeps the inside of your structure dry. Regular foot traffic, sharp objects, falling tree branches or hail hitting the membrane during storms can all cause holes. As materials get older they lose their original flexibility and seams or edges can tear. Direct sunlight’s long exposure to UV rays slowly damages roofing materials. This is especially bad for flat roofs which get direct sun all day. When we fix membrane damage we thoroughly assess the whole situation to figure out the best way to fix it. You can fix small holes or tears with products that work with the material and the right application. This will restore the waterproof integrity. When larger areas are damaged the best way to fix them is usually to cut out the damaged area completely and install new membrane material and make sure to seal all the edges to keep the waterproofing in place. Roof Maintenance extends the life of your roof by addressing minor concerns early and preventing major repairs. Consistent Roof Maintenance keeps your home protected year-round.
Many of the flat roof leaks we fix are due to seam problems. Most membrane roofing systems are made up of large sheets that are joined together at seams. These seams are where the waterproofing system is most likely to fail. Over time and after several cycles of heating and cooling the adhesives can break down and lose their bonding strength. Heat-welded seams can slowly come apart and mechanical fasteners can come loose from repetitive expansion and contraction. When we inspect roofs we pay close attention to seams since even minor gaps or separations can let water in that can cause serious damage to ceilings, walls and contents inside the building. To fix seams that have come apart you need to clean the area well to remove any dirt or debris, use the right adhesives or re-weld the seam, use the right products and use the right products, use the right products, use the right products and apply them in the right way, and apply them in the correct order.
Problems with flashing often cause leaks in the flat roof that are hard to fix. Flashing is important to ensure plumbing vents, HVAC equipment installations, skylights and other roof openings are watertight. It’s also important to ensure the roof surface meets vertical walls or parapet structures at important edges. Flashing parts can come loose from the surface they are attached to because of thermal movement and weather exposure, they can break from age and repeated stress cycles or they can just wear out over time. Flashing failures quickly lead to leaks inside the building that damage ceilings, walls, insulation and contents since water naturally flows towards and collects at these penetrations and edges. We fix or replace damaged flashing with high quality materials that work with your roof type and make sure they fit in with the existing membrane system so they provide long term protection.
If your roof is blistering or splitting it may be because the materials are old or there is moisture underneath that needs to be fixed. When moisture or air gets trapped under the membrane surface and heats up in direct sunlight it causes blisters to form which are elevated bubbles. If these blisters get too stressed they can break open and let water directly into the roof system. As roofing materials get older they lose their ability to bend and stretch which causes surface fractures. This happens because the materials expand and compress every day and season.
Call us at Professional Roofers Toronto to have your Pickering flat roof inspected once a year and after any storm. We answer fast!
