770.516.5806 
While flat roofs
aren’t the norm for many styles of residential structures, that’s not the case
in the realm of commercial roofing. Instead, in commercial roofing, flat
roofing is the predominant roofing type as it offers simplicity, efficiency,
and easy maintenance for roofs that must cover massive amounts of square footage.
However, as
hassle-free as commercial flat roofing can be, there are some maintenance tasks
that you should routinely perform to ensure that the roofing surface remains
viable for its full-service life. First, it’s a great idea to conduct regular
inspections of your flat commercial roofing, whether you call in a professional
or merely check it yourself often for signs of trouble. There are a few more
things you can do to extend the life of your flat commercial roof and ensure
that it’s properly maintained. Keep reading to learn 4 tips you can use to
maintain your commercial flat roof.
Remove Debris Promptly
A flat roof can
become a virtual catch basin for anything that falls from above. For example,
if your business is surrounded by trees, there’s no doubt that the roof will
routinely be covered in leaves, twigs, and other organic material. While most
roofing is resilient and built to tolerate minor debris accumulation for short
periods, this kind of matter shouldn’t be left on the roof surface for long.
Make sure that you routinely check your roof for accumulated organic material,
and when you find it, promptly remove it. Doing so will prevent issues and
allow you to enjoy a longer service life from your roofing surface.
Trim Nearby Vegetation
Speaking of
vegetation, you can save yourself some of the effort in removing that organic
debris by trimming back overhanging trees and cutting back nearby shrubs and
bushes. Doing so will not only help reduce the amount of accumulated debris
that you have to remove from the roof. It will also improve airflow, which is
critical to preventing water from accumulating and puddling on the roof after
heavy rains. However, when trimming heavy limbs, be sure that you take steps to
avoid dropping a limb on your roof. Hire a professional to ensure that you
don’t do more damage than good when removing tree branches.
Check and Clean Drainage
Gabled
residential roofs have built-in drainage, as the steep peaks allow water to run
off the roof without accumulating. However, a flat roof doesn’t possess that
inherent quality, so a drainage system is necessary to remove water from the
roof surface and prevent puddling. Puddling or pooling of water on a flat roof
will inevitably lead to leakage, so it’s important that your drainage allows
for water to run off the roof and dissipate quickly. When you check your roof
for proper drainage, try to diagnose what could be causing pooling. If it’s a
clogged drain, then clean it out and make sure water runs off easily. If the
drain isn’t the culprit, it could be an unlevel roof surface that doesn’t
direct water towards the drains.
Fix Leaks Immediately
All roofs will
eventually leak, whether because of age, damage, or some other factor. However,
it’s important that you repair these leaks as quickly as possible to prevent
additional expenses and damage that can result from a leak. The adverse impact
of a roof leak is magnified on flat roofs, so it’s important that you contact a
roofing professional immediately if a leak develops. That will save you money
in the long-term and ensure that you enjoy the full lifespan of your commercial
flat roof.
Commercial flat
roofs can provide decades of service if properly maintained, so use these tips
to keep your roof in excellent shape despite what the elements may throw at it.
To learn more tips for maintaining a commercial flat roof, contact Findlay
Roofing at (770) 516-5806.
