You may think that commercial flat roofing is a simple type of installation that is even easier to keep maintained. While this may be partially true as flat roofs can be easy to install, commercial roofing companies do face a number of challenges when it comes to maintenance. Learn the various issues that can occur with a flat commercial installation and how flat roofing services deal with them to ensure you get a full service life.
The Economy of Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are a very cost-effective option for covering large commercial buildings as they do not require building a tall, pitched top over the building. This type of architecture makes the building less expensive to build and more energy efficient because the building has less volume. Combined with the lower comparable cost of flat roofing systems like tar and gravel, BUR, membrane systems and others, flat roofs have been the standard for larger buildings for more than a century.
UV Damage to Flat Installations
The tops of commercial buildings are exposed to the damaging UV rays of the sun every day. Not only does this give flat roofing services the challenge of keeping these buildings as energy efficient as possible, it causes slow degradation of the materials over time.
Most systems will suffer some degree of decomposition such as cracking, splitting, and drying out, all of which makes leaks and other concerns more likely as a roof ages. Preventing leaks requires regular maintenance by commercial roofing companies that will monitor for deterioration and repair the roof as needed.
Drainage Problems and Flat Roofs
Other common and serious problems that flat roofing services deal with are poor drainage, low spots, and water ponding. Good drainage is essential to the health and longevity of all flat roofing. Yet when water pools on top of the building, it increases the chance of leaks for a variety of reasons.
One reason a commercial building may experience a drainage issue is poor design. A well-designed flat roof always has a few degrees of slope to one side to promote proper drainage and prevent ponding. Contractors must make repairs to the top of the building to remedy this issue and prevent continual and extensive damage.
Routine Maintenance is Essential
Based on the fact that all commercial systems will suffer some degree of damage over the years, the main recourse for commercial roofing companies looking to prevent costly damage is to provide good maintenance.
Unfortunately, this is an area where many building owners try to get by with the minimum. Maintenance is critically necessary to keep up with the ongoing damage that commercial installations are subject to so they last as long as possible.
If you have a commercial building with a flat top, avoid falling into the "out of sight, out of mind" trap. To protect the investment you have in your building, it is essential to work with expert flat roofing services that can diagnose problems and make any necessary repairs. Commercial roofing companies are your partners in handling common flat roofing challenges so you can keep your building in great shape!
