Customers, whether they are consumers or business people often look for Calgary Flat Roofing Companies with the idea of finding cheap discount solutions for their roof problems. Whether it is a new roof on a new building, replacing an existing roof or just trying to arrange for repairs to a roof, no one wants to pay more than they have to. However customers need to be careful of discount solutions since quite often you get what you pay for and may have to repeat the process in a few years if the original job is not done correctly. This flat roof on this garage in the picture above is in pristine shape, having just received a brand new flat roof.
The old roof was removed, the joists and wood underlay were repaired and a new roof was installed that will last for many years. Another feature that was confirmed and tested was the flow of water off of the roof. No matter what size of roof, water needs to be able to run off into a gutter system which takes the water off of the roof and also away from the foundation. This latter point is very important since over the years water could undermine a foundation and cause leaks. While not an issue in this example above, in terms of leaks, the ground around the garage could gradually sink leaving foundation exposed if the water is not drained away properly.
What Are the Dangers of Cheap Discount Flat Roof Solutions
First of all we have to say that the opinion of the writers on this web site is that you should always do the job right the first time, because if you don’t it is just going to cost you money in the long run and some cases a lot of money. That is just our opinion, but read on to find out why we feel this way.
Everyone wants to make a profit and if you go for a discount solution, your roof will likely be fine for a while, it will look great etc, but let’s face it, to offer a discount solution, they had to cut corners some where. We will not go into how various companies might cut corners, but what we want to talk about instead is what the consequences can be when you go for that cheap discount flat roof solution.
A leak in any roof is very difficult to detect and the owners worst night mare. A leak can go on for some time undetected, with water seeping along roof supports and beams until it makes it’s way to an area were the owner notices the problem. It could be water dripping on to the floor, it could be soiled goods that have to be written off or any other long list of things. Often by the time you notice it, there is a lot of damage that is done and repairing the roof and dealing with the damage is going to cost a great deal of money.
The roof underlay may have rotted and needs to be replaced. Roof joists may have rotted or become weak with the roof beginning to sag or in danger of not supporting the load of the roof and water that begins to accumulate. If you live in northern climates, then snow load is also an important issue. Insulation is wet and needs to be replaced. Mold becomes a huge issue and if really bad could cause your building to be contaminated. Cleaning all of this and repairing the damage will cost far more than the money you saved by getting that discount.
We believe that you need to do the job right the first time so that you the customer will not have to deal with these kinds of problems with their flat roof in the future!
Removing Standing Water
A sign of a sagging roof or a poorly designed roof is standing water on the roof. Your roof may be sealed and no leaks occurring, however standing water is just a problem waiting to happen. If you have this problem you may want to have your roof inspected and a solution proposed. It could be as simple as the down pipe or the entrance to the down pipe from your roof being plugged. If the water cannot escape off the roof and drain away, it is a potential issue that can contribute to future leaks.
Arrange for an Inspection
Most roofing companies recommend that the roof should be inspected annually to ensure that the roof is still in tip top condition. This can be completed by one of your maintenance staff or by a qualified roofing specialist. Many owners will often arrange for a specialist every other year and in between the roof is assessed by themselves or one of their own maintenance staff.
Remove all debris on the roof such as branches and leaves, make sure that the down pipe is clear, that water is being distributed away from the building and there are no spots on the roof that are showing signs of deterioration. Also check inside as much as possible to confirm that there are no leaks that are going undetected. Customers can save money in this manner, however if in doubt always have a flat roofing specialist inspect your roof!