Flat roofs are common in many UK home extensions and outbuildings, mostly due to the fact they don’t require the same kind of planning permission as a pitched roof. Despite this popularity, flat roofs do have a poor reputation for leaks – and are prone to failure.
However, with regular maintenance, flat roofs can have a lifespan of up to 50 years depending on their material. Below, we explore the best course of action to maintain yours.
Why it’s important to maintain your flat roof
In short – the smaller the problem, the easier it is to fix. So, by maintaining your roof, you’re preventing minor issues from escalating into bigger projects – providing some hefty savings over the years whilst ensuring a flat roof that lasts.
What type of flat roof do I have?
First up, it’s time to check what sort of flat roof you have. They are usually made of felt, asphalt, GRP fibreglass or EPDM rubber – with the latter lasting up to 50 years. Some roofs are also coated in shingle or gravel, which add weight to the surface to protect the roof from sun damage (popular in south facing properties).
Essential flat roof maintenance: Top tips
It’s best to go with a systematic approach to keeping your flat roof in tip top shape. Check out our essential tick list below:
1. Clearing debris
Just like it says on the tin – this involves staying on top of the debris on your roof, regularly removing leaves, branches and ensuring gutters and drains are free flowing to prevent a build of water, using a long-handled broom.
2. Inspecting for cracks
Conduct routine inspections for visible cracks or damage to the roofing material, paying close attention to seams and junctions where issues might crop up.
3. Remove moss and lichen
Moss and lichen hold moisture against the roof’s surface, adding extra weight and moisture to your roof. This can quickly lead to splitting, blistering or bigger problems such as sagging joists and leaks – so, it’s best to get rid as soon as you can.
To remove the moss and lichen, use a small brush to clear the area, then brush the affected area itself. After allowing the area to dry for a couple of days, apply a moss killer – ensuring you’re wearing goggles, mask and gloves.
4. Check for missing shingle or gravel
Ladder up! If you spot any missing patches, this will need replacing to maintain the roof’s waterproofing and weatherproofing capabilities.
5. Check the ceiling for water damage
Flat roof maintenance doesn’t stop at the exterior, it’s just as important to check inside your outbuilding. If water has seeped in through the structure, you’ll see green or black stains, sagging or bulging, new cracks or flaking paint. If you spot any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly and see where the leak is coming from.
6. Adequate drainage
It’s also crucial you have the proper drainage in place to prevent water pooling. As you’ll have guessed, water pooling means leaks, structural damage and could compromise the roof’s integrity.
Common flat roof problems
It’s also worth noting some issues that often occur specifically with flat roofs, and familiarising yourself with these will help you come up with proactive solutions if you spot any on your roof!
Specifically Felt & Asphalt roofs
Blistering: This is predominantly caused by excessive heat, where the air and moisture trapped between the layers of felt warm up and expand, creating blisters in the felt – causing a puncture, split and leaks.
Splitting: Usually, a result of excessive pressure on the roof or thawing after particularly cold weather, this allows water in through the roof and again, leads to leaks.
Ponding / pooling: Where water gathers in specific areas of a flat roof, it won’t evaporate or drain easily. This could require an automatic pump to be fitted, so it’s best repaired by a professional.
Specifically GRP & EDPM roofs
Bubbling: This is often due to poor roof installation, where there was moisture in the roofing structure when it was installed. This could need a reapplication of the topcoat, and it’s best to consult a professional to determine the primary cause and next steps.
Summary
The key to a weatherproof and resilient flat roof lies in proactive maintenance, ensuring you’re doing what you can to keep it in top condition from season to season. Solseal have a range of roofing repair and refurbishment supplies to help you along the way, check out our full offering, here.
