Sometimes repairs to a flat roof are out of the question and companies need to consider replacing their flat roofs. As the picture on the left shows, the damage to this roof has been allowed to progress for a long period and now with the underlying damage, there is no alternative but to follow a flat roof replacement approach.
There may also be underlying damage to the support structure of the roof and the insulation as well. Complete removal of this roof is required to evaluate the underlying damage. New insulation may be required and new support may also be required depending on the amount of water that has penetrated into the support structure.
As an aside, anytime water penetrates a roof, there are multiple problems that can crop up. Roof support structures may be damaged and lose their strength, water may damage any products or business items below that section of the roof and mold will develop which can cause breathing problems for anyone who is susceptible to mold. In severe cases, the mold may need to be removed using special processes and the building or at least that section vacated while the removal process takes place. The point of this paragraph if you have not got the message, is deal with leaks and deteriorating roof issues quickly to avoid even more expense later on. You may need to spend more money that is necessary and your business activities jeopardized by not dealing with this issue in a timely manner.
Evaluation of Your Flat Roof
At the minimum a semi annual check should be conducted by your maintenance personnel or a flat roof company such as Dale Enterprises Group. Your maintenance people can perform the basic checks and cleaning. You can pull in the experts when needed. The following checks should be completed and the appropriate action taken:
- Check for cracks in the roof
- Check for bubbles, which may burst and allow water to penetrate
- Check for debris on the roof and in gutters and clean if necessary
- Clear debris off the roof
- Check that all areas were flashing has been installed that they are installed properly and water proof
Evaluations by professionals will include recommendations for repair, re-coating or replacement of the flat roof coating and membrane. Until the roof is opened up, damage to underlying support structures cannot be assessed and your evaluator will mention this.
Dale Enterprises Group can also provide estimates as well and readers are encouraged to give them a call for further discussion and a free estimate.
Decision Time
For the owner of the roof in the picture above there is no decision required, regarding replacement of his roof. It is in bad shape and will only get worse very quickly. He or she might get away with replacing only the section of the roof that is showing severe damage, however the roof is already a number of years old and it is only a matter of time before the rest of the roof will need to be replaced.
There are a number of additional considerations to take into account as part of this decision. Cash flow is always important to all companies. Companies who may be experiencing a cash flow shortage will sometimes opt for the minimum amount of work to be completed to minimize the expense now and delay a major expense into future years.
Water is obviously accumulating in this spot. When flat roof replacement is completed, consideration should be given to ensure that there is sufficient slope to remove the water and avoid standing water in this area.
Finally when water leaks through a roof, it will sometimes travel along support beams to other areas of the roof. The upshot of this issue is insulation will become wet in areas of the roof not subject to the leak and mold will grow in these areas as well. When mold grows there can be a health problem for many people including customers who are sensitive to mold spores in the air.
While no one wants to spend the extra money for a flat roof replacement, sometimes it is the best course of action for financial reasons, health issues and avoiding distractions from your primary business activities. A business owner wants to focus on generating revenue and not spend time on dealing with leaky roofs, employee health problems and damage to your office space or products stored in this area.
Tips & Warnings
Whether you opt for a flat roof replacement or a repair, there are specific areas to pay attention to. You may want to discuss these details with the flat roof contractor that you hire for the job.
- Use tape around the vents or ducts and wrap them twice for a better seal.
- Repair any metal or weather stripping from the gutters of the roof before final coating.
- Repair any damages to the roof after cleaning.
- Always wear safety gear including eye protection and gloves for the project.
We have written several posts about selecting flat roof contractors in the Calgary area. You might want to refer to these posts if you are unsure about how to go about selecting a flat roof contractor for your flat roof replacement work. The Dale Enterprises Group is one of these contractors and will be more than pleased to meet with you or your maintenance personnel to evaluate and prepare a recommendation. Call them today.