If you're looking around for a flat roof contractor, you might have noticed that many firms exclusively do this type of work. Folks often wonder what makes flat roofing different so let's look at four things that distinguish it from working on sloped roofs.
Size
The first thing you'll notice on most buildings is that flat roofs tend to be significantly larger than sloped ones. With a few exceptions, you won't see a sloped roof on a commercial or industrial structure. Flat roofing is the dominant style for factories, stores, warehouses, and other big buildings.
Size matters because it takes lots of time, materials, and people to handle the work on a flat roof. The upside is that the work is generally less dangerous for the contractors as long as the roof is still in good shape.
Materials
Flat roofs don't typically use shingles or other materials you'll commonly see on residential structures. Many companies use fibered roofing tar or heated rubber to provide a seal on the roof. A major advantage of this approach is that it's easy for contractors to maintain and repair. If an area gets sunbaked and starts cracking, for example, a flat roof contractor can usually fill it with roofing cement or cover the entire surface with more tar. This makes flat roofing especially cheap to maintain in most cases.
Drainage
A small downside to flat roofs is that they don't easily drain on their own. Sloped roofs naturally lose water because of gravity. A flat roof usually needs to have a drainage system built into it to ensure water won't pool on its surface. Otherwise, a roof can become a source of mold growth.
Most drainage systems for flat roofs are built directly into the roof. This means there are multiple holes across the roof that serve to funnel away water. Unsurprisingly, this means those holes have to connect to pipes that direct the water either into the sewer system or down to the ground.
Frequency of Maintenance
Sloped roofs on single-family homes usually last for decades with little to no maintenance. Flat roofing requires more frequent attention. It will take a heavier beating from rain and sun, and this can lead to more frequent degradation. As previously noted, though, the cost of treating the roof a couple of times each decade tends to be reasonable. You do have to be diligent, however, about inspecting the roof every few months and having a flat roofing contractor address any problems.
For more information, contact a company like Diamond Roofers LLP.
When you develop a roof leak, you don't have time to ignore it. Issues with leaks can cause problems as simple as incoming water and as wide-ranging as mold accumulation inside your home, which is why you should never let an issue sit. However, if you aren't careful, you could develop problems with roofing that is simply open to the elements, allowing rain and snow to enter your home, melt, and contribute to problems like mold growth. On this blog, you can learn more about the kinds of roofing issues that you could be faced with, and what to do about them.