Tips for Buildings That Use Flat Roofing Designs

Roofs protect the interior of a building from inclement weather, but the roof itself also needs protecting. Proper installation is the first step needed to ensure this. Thereafter, the roof may need regular inspections. Different flat roofing types or material have their own maintenance requirements. Take a look at a few of these below.

Built-Up Roofing

These roofing types should last for roughly 15 years. If after an inspection you notice any repairs that need to be done, this can be completed in patches. Gravel is often added to the roof to enhance its durability, but this gravel may come loose over time and get into drainage systems. If you have clogged gutters, be sure to check if gravel is the problem.

Single Ply Roofing

This type of flat roofing is one of the most expensive, but it pays off. They can last for up to 50 years. Like BUR options, any repairs can be completed in patches. This, plus the fact that it lasts as long as it does, helps to balance out the initial high cost.

Green Roofing

As consumers become more conscious about sustainable living, many are going back to more traditional ways of building. Green roofing systems represent this transition back to the old. These roofs use soil and vegetation and often cover buildings called “Hobbit houses” because of their appearance. Green roofing may last for 20 years or more. Most of the maintenance work involves removing weeds and checking for pests or diseases.

Ballasted Roofing

A more modern take on green roofing uses rocks and gravel instead of vegetation and soil as the roofing material. They tend to be high-maintenance, but if properly maintained, they can last for more than 30 years. The main problem with this roofing type is that people tend to step on the stone ballasts and puncture the membrane, which causes leaks.

Different flat roofing types require maintenance and repairs for different reasons. Regardless of how strong or fragile a roof may be, routine inspections may help owners to catch smaller problems in the earlier stages before they become costly to fix.