Flat roofs provide many benefits, especially for commercial buildings. They’re cost effective, easy to access, and provide the ideal location for equipment like solar panels, HVAC units, and more. Despite these advantages, flat roofs come with their own challenges. In this article, the A.O. Roofing team will cover the most common flat roof problems and what to do about them.
Pooling Water
Unlike sloped roofs that easily wick away water, flat roofs are prone to water pooling and forming puddles. This can lead to algae and mold growth and the development of leaks in the roof. To avoid this, the roof should have a slight slope and angles to efficiently drain water and the roof and gutters should be kept clean.
Membrane Buckling
Unlike shingle roofs, which have many small pieces, many flat roofs are essentially one large piece. As a building shifts and settles over time, it can cause a membrane to buckle and pull off the structure. Proper design and installation can prevent this, but if it occurs, it needs to be fixed ASAP.
Blistering and ‘Alligatoring’
Over time, flat roof membranes can begin to blister, or even worse, deteriorate into a cracked, messy state known as “alligatoring.” Most of the time, this is due to too much sun exposure, or saturated insulation, causing the roof membrane to lose elasticity. Designing your roof with the local climate in mind can help prevent this, but if alligatoring occurs, it’s time for a replacement.
Cracking
Flat roofs are under more pressure than sloped roofs, and if this pressure builds, it can cause the roof to crack. If you already have cracking, you’ll need an inspection as soon as possible to determine whether your roof is compromised.
Hire the Pros Who Know
Because of these challenges sometimes associated with flat roofs, it’s important to hire an experienced and reputable company like A.O. Roofing for installations, repairs, and replacements. You can also check out some of our other roofing projects in our blog to see some examples of the quality work we do. Plus, follow us to stay up to date with us on social media! We’re on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
