Flat roofs face unique challenges that pitched roofs do not necessarily face. For example, snow accumulates more easily on flat roofs than pitched roofs. The accumulated snow can cause wide-ranging and expensive damage. Below are practical tips to prevent such damages.
Maintain Clear Drainages
Snow damages the roof in various ways. For example, the snow can melt and cause water damage if it remains on the roof for a long time. Flat roofs have drainage systems to prevent such water damage. The drainage system collects the water and channels it off the roof.
The drainage systems come in different types. You can install:
- Inner or interior drains that sit under the roof
- Scuppers that are openings along the roof’s edges
- Gutters that are open troughs along the roof’s edges
All these drainage systems work best if clear. A drainage system becomes ineffective if debris or objects block its openings, just as a sink doesn’t drain water if something blocks it. Maintain the roof’s drainage system to ensure it’s always clear to admit water from melting snow.
Your roof doesn’t need to experience severe leaks to experience water damage. Even a little water can cause damage if it penetrates the roof. The little moisture can cause corrosion and rot. The little water can also freeze and damage the roofing materials since water expands when it freezes.
Your flat roof’s surface must be watertight to prevent even a little water from affecting it. Roofing contractors use different materials to keep water off the roof, which include:
- Waterproofing membranes
- Reinforced bitumen
- Liquid waterproofing
All these waterproofing materials deteriorate with time. Reapply the waterproofing as necessary to maintain its function.
Ensure Proper Insulation
A little roof snow might not cause much damage if it stays in the frozen state. The problem comes when the snow melts and the water penetrates the roof. Pitched roofs have an advantage because the attic separates the snow from the interior heat. The separation prevents the heat from melting the snow.
The snow is close to the interior heat for flat roofs. The interior heat can easily melt the snow and trigger water damage. The solution is to insulate the roof properly to prevent interior heat from warming the roof.
Roofing professionals use different insulation materials — such as cellulose, Styrofoam, and glass fibers — for the insulation. Again, the materials might deteriorate with time, so keep an eye on the insulation and fix it if it deteriorates.
Regularly Clear the Snow
Accumulated snow on the roof can cause various types of damage. For example:
- The snow might melt and cause water damage
- The accumulated snow might weigh down the roof and cause structural damage
- The snow might cover roof vents
- The snow might damage roof structures, such as rooftop HVAC units
Regularly remove snow from your flat roof before it causes damage. The removal is especially necessary if the roof is old or has structural defects. Professional snow removal is advisable to avoid roof damage.
Regularly Inspect the Roof
Snow roof damage is not always instantaneous or visible. You might not spot damage that occurs over time, especially damage to interior roof structures. However, invisible damage is just as dangerous as visible damage. Inspect your roof regularly to detect such damages so you can fix them in time. For example, inspections might reveal worn insulation before it triggers structural damage.
Hopefully, your roof won’t suffer serious weather-related damage. Unfortunately, events beyond your control, such as extreme weather, can still damage your roof. Contact Tectum Roofing for diagnosis and repair if that happens. We can also help you create an action plan to preempt roof failures.