Flat Roof Repair Rushden: To Replace or to Repair?

Flat Roofing

Has your roof sprung a leak yet again?

Let’s face it most flat roofs are made in such a way that they tend to leak even if you diligently maintain them. The primary culprit for leaking roofs is usually puddles of water standing on the roof for more than two days.

When you discover a leak, determining how to deal with it is not always straightforward.The first thing to determine is whether you need to replace or repair the roof.

Before calling flat roof repair Rushden professionals you need to conduct an assessment:

Conducting an Assessment

It is best to hire flat roof repair experts to look at the roof before making any decisions. Ensure you get a roofing expert rather than a general contractor who may not have much knowledge about flat roofs and may give you wrong advice.

The roofing professional will thoroughly examine the roof for damage, ponding water, leaks, aging, and punctures. He could also do a test cut of the roof.

 

Common Issues with Flat Roofs

Most roofs will leak at flashing or on the seams due to ponding water from recent rains. Roof drains, parapets, skylights, and chimneys are other common places from which leaks usually occur. Punctures, while they do occur, are rare.

Material shrinkage that pulls of drip edges, chimneys or parapet walls is a common problem with EPDM rubber membranes

Commercial building particularly those with foot traffic may be damaged by foot traffic such as random visitors out on the roof or maintenance personnel puncturing membranes by walking over fasteners or dropping tools.

Roof Replacement

Just because the roof has sprung a leak does not necessitate replacement. In fact, replacing the roof should be a last resort given that it is a time consuming and expensive option.

So when should you replace the roof?

You should only repair the roof when:

  1. The original material is determined to have reached the end of its useful life.
  2. The original roof was improperly installed resulting in constant problems with leaks.

Roof Repair

If you have a correctly installed and regularly maintained roof that is leaking the best option is to repair it. The following are some of your options:

  1. If DIY is your thing, you could get a flat roof DIY repair kit from the local home improvement shop. This inexpensive option would work fine if you do not intend to keep the house for more than a year or two.
  2. If you do not have the required skills or want to be done with it once and for all, get a flat roof repair Rushden expert to fix the roof. It may cost more, but your roof will be leak free for longer.
  3. If your leaking roof is made of modified bitumen, you will have to call a contractor since this type of roof calls for torching during repair.
  4. Finding the source of a leak in a gravel and tar roof is tough even for an expert, and thus you may simply have to replace the roof.

Regular Maintenance is Critical

Whether you opt for repair or replacement of the roof, routine maintenance is essential for its longevity. Even the most optimal roofing materials will only perform efficiently with proper maintenance.