Flat roofs are common on commercial buildings, residential garages and some homes in Vaughan. They have practical benefits of being easier to maintain and allowing people to use the rooftop space for various things. But flat roofs have different features and lifespans than sloped roofs and eventually every flat roof reaches a point where the best and most cost effective solution is to replace it entirely. We at Professional Roofers Toronto are experts in replacing flat roofs and we know exactly what problems and important things property owners need to consider when dealing with these types of roofs. Flat Roof Repair targets leaks, pooling water, and membrane damage that can affect structural integrity. Reliable Flat Roof Repair helps extend the lifespan of your flat roofing system.
Knowing when your flat roof needs to be replaced instead of just repaired will help you make smart financial decisions and prevent your house from getting major structural damage. There are several clear signs that replacement is the better option. You should think about the age of your current roof because different flat roofing materials have service lives ranging from 15 to 30 years depending on the quality of the original installation and the type of product used. If your roof is getting close to or past this time limit it usually makes more sense to replace it than to keep spending money on repairs for a roofing system that’s nearing the end of its life. When there is widespread damage to big parts of the roof surface instead of just a few issue areas it’s obvious the whole roofing system is failing and breaking down. Repeated leaks that keep coming back even after professional repairs have been made show the structure is failing and patching won’t fix it. If you see sagging areas on the roof, see water pooling on the surface for more than 48 hours after it rains or feel soft spots when you walk carefully on the roof these are all signs of major structural problems that need to be replaced not patched.
The first step in the replacement process is always a thorough inspection and evaluation of your current flat roof system by an expert. We look at both the visible membrane surface and the hidden parts like the insulation layers, vapour barrier materials and the roof deck itself. Water damage goes deeper than what you can see on the surface. To make sure your new roof lasts as long as it should we need to find all the damaged materials and any structural problems. With this thorough examination and full evaluation we can give you accurate cost estimates and project timelines you can trust. Chimney Repair addresses cracks, loose bricks, and structural issues that can impact safety and performance. Proper Chimney Repair helps prevent water infiltration and maintains ventilation efficiency.
There are many great materials for flat roofs and each one has its own set of performance benefits that makes it better for certain situations. Modified bitumen is made of sheets of asphalt that can be applied with a torch, cold with adhesive or as self-adhering membranes. These sheets are very durable and weatherproof at a low cost. TPO or thermoplastic polyolefin is a single-ply membrane that is white or light colored and is known for its ability to reflect solar heat and resist tears and punctures. Many homes and businesses choose EPDM rubber roofing because it’s inexpensive, lasts long and does a great job of keeping water out. PVC roofing is very sturdy and lasts long. It also has seams that are very durable when heated which makes it great for commercial buildings with mechanical equipment on the roof or exposed to harsh chemicals. In Vaughan we work with property owners to choose the right roofing material that meets their needs, the building characteristics, their performance expectations and budget.
Designing and building the right drainage system is one of the most important parts of a successful flat roof replacement. Even though they are called “flat roofs” they need little slopes designed into the system to properly send water to drains, scuppers or gutters. Water that stays on your roof speeds up the breakdown of roofing components, adds weight to the building and makes leaks more likely to happen. During the replacement process we make sure there is enough drainage by changing slopes where necessary, installing or upgrading drainage systems to handle the expected amount of water and placing roof penetrations in a way that they don’t create low spots where water can collect and cause problems.
When replacing a flat roof you should really consider upgrading the insulation. Over the past few years building codes have gotten stricter. Replacing your roof is a great opportunity to improve your insulation to meet or even exceed current standards for better energy performance. Better insulation reduces heating and cooling costs by a lot, makes the inside of the house comfortable all year round and can even make the roof last longer by reducing the temperature changes and thermal stress that slowly destroys roofing materials over time.
