Many flat roofing systems are discovered on business structures and were most likely installed by professional business roofing contractors with flat roofing experience; however, you will discover some residences with this type of setup. Unfortunately, many of these installs were done by specialists with little or no experience dealing with this type of roof and end up requiring repair long previously reaching the minimum life expectancy of the products.
Materials
Many of the leakages requiring repair work are those set up with a single ply rubber membrane called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer). This kind of roof material has replaced the earlier design of flat roofing which was made up of a base sheet and numerous layers of felt paper and hot asphalt or coal tar. Roof Replacement Usually this was covered with gravel to give it increased life. This type of flat roof is called BUR ( developed roof). In most cases this type of roofing although utilizing less high tech materials out lasts the EPDM roof in property applications due to the disparity in installation treatments.
Discovering a Contractor
If you decide that fixing your flat roof is not worth the cost and you want to have the roof changed, be sure to discover a roof professional with experience setting up flat roofing systems. Get recommendations and examine them out prior to you sign a agreement. You might discover it challenging to locate a competent roofing contractor that will install flat roof on a residence. You can be an expert asphalt shingle roofing professional and not know how to place on a flat rubber roof. The majority of the pros restrict their jobs to commercial setups, however if you take your time and keep looking, you can find them.
Which System is Best?
Today's new flat roof setups use a variety of products. There are those that still declare EPDM single ply membranes - the most typical system in the US and the material of option for the low-slope industrial roof market for over 40 years - is still the best system to utilize. Others claim the more recent products like TPO (thermoplastic polyefin, SBS (self sticking membrane systems) or a PVC membrane using hot air welded joints would be a much better option. You will discover roof professionals that vigorously safeguard their preferred system. Your best option is to discover a roofer in your area with a long history of service and have a look at his recommendations. A few of these systems work best in extreme heat or cold, so your location might make a difference.
Do It Yourself Flat Roof Repair
If you have an EPDM membrane and it appears like it can be fixed you are still faced with a number of choices. There is a black rubber glue or a Peel-and-stick flashing product with a rubber primer that covers the seams of the membrane which is where most leaks take place.
Each of these techniques provides a minimal life extension to your roof. Bear in mind that these repair products do not typically come in little quantities, so unless you can discover a roofer that will sell you just the quantity you need, you might wind up costs rather a lot cash on products.
This type of roofing material has changed the earlier style of flat roof which was made up of a base sheet and numerous layers of felt paper and hot asphalt or coal tar. This type of flat roof is called BUR (built up roofing). If you choose that fixing your flat roof is not worth the cost and you desire to have the roof changed, be sure to discover a roofing professional with experience installing flat roofing systems. You might find it tough to locate a skilled roofing contractor that will set up flat roofing on a residence.