Flat roofs are great for business buildings, garages and homes in Vaughan. They have some advantages like being easier to maintain and you can use the roof space. But flat roofs have unique design features that makes it hard to work with and might lead to 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 also know how important it is to fix these problems right away before it gets worse and damages your whole property and inside spaces that cost a lot of money. Sloped Roof Replacement restores steep or angled roofs with modern, weather-resistant materials. Choosing Sloped Roof Replacement ensures proper drainage and long-lasting protection.
Ponding water is one of the most common and annoying problems we see on flat roofs. This bad situation happens when water stays on the roof for more than 48 hours after it has stopped raining. Flat roofs are not entirely flat but they don’t slope as much as pitched roofs do. This means good drainage design and regular maintenance is very important for a good roof performance. When leaves, debris, mud or sediment builds up in drains or when the roof structure settles unevenly over time because buildings move naturally, water can pool in low spots on the surface. This standing water breaks down roofing materials faster, adds a lot of weight that puts stress on the building’s structure and makes it easy for leaks to start and get worse over time. We fix ponding water problems by clearing out blocked drainage systems, adding more drains to areas that have had problems for a long time and in more serious cases adding tapered insulation layers to improve the slope of the surface and guide water to the right drainage points.
We also fix membrane damage which is another common problem. Flat roofs use membrane materials like EPDM rubber, TPO, PVC or modified bitumen to make the waterproof barrier that keeps water from getting into your building. Foot traffic, sharp objects, falling tree branches or hail hitting the membranes during bad storms can all cause holes to form. As fabrics get older they naturally lose their original flexibility and strength which makes them more prone to break at seams or edges. Direct sunlight for long periods of time wears down roofing materials over time. This is especially bad on flat roofs where the surface gets full sun all day. When we fix membrane damage we carefully assess the whole situation to figure out the best way to fix it that will last. Using the right materials and methods small holes or tears can be patched up so the waterproof integrity is restored. When larger areas are damaged the best way to fix it is usually to cut out the damaged part completely and put in new membrane material and make sure to seal all the edges to keep the waterproofing in place.
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 connected at seams. These seams are where the waterproofing system can fail. Over time adhesives can break down and lose their bonding strength, heat welded seams can slowly pull apart or mechanical fasteners can come loose from repeated movement. We check seams very carefully when we inspect roofs since even minor breaches or separations can let water in that can cause damage to ceilings, walls, insulation and expensive building contents. Fixing seams that have come apart means cleaning the area around the seam very well to remove any dirt or other contaminants, using the right adhesives or re-welding the seam connection with special tools and often adding strips of reinforcing membrane over the repair to protect it even more and make it last longer.
Problems with flashing cause leaks on flat roofs that are hard to fix. Flashing ensures that the areas around roof penetrations like plumbing vents, HVAC equipment installations, skylights and important edges where the roof surface meets vertical walls or parapet structures are watertight. Flashing parts can come loose from mounting surfaces due to temperature movement and weather exposure. They can crack from age and repeated stress cycles or just wear out over years of use. Since water naturally flows towards and collects around these penetrations and edges, flashing failures quickly lead to leaks within the building that damage ceilings, walls, insulation and expensive contents. We use only the best materials that are compatible with your roof type to fix or totally replace broken flashing. We also make sure the new flashing works with the current membrane system to provide long lasting protection. Flat Roof Replacement upgrades aging flat roofing systems with improved durability and waterproofing. This option helps ensure your Flat Roof Replacement withstands harsh weather and daily exposure.
Blistering and cracking on the surface of the roof is a sign that the materials are getting old or there is moisture underneath that needs to be fixed by a professional. When moisture or air is trapped under the membrane surface it creates blisters that grow when heated by direct sunlight. This makes the roof surface look like it has raised bubbles. If you put too much pressure on these blisters they can eventually break apart and let water into the layers of the roof system below.At Professional Roofers Toronto we recommend that all flat roofs in Vaughan be inspected annually and after every storm. We get back to you right away when you call us for flat roof repairs because we know that roof problems get bigger and more expensive the longer you wait to fix them.
