logo
logo
Sign in

How to Spot and Fix a Flat Roof Leak Before It Does Major Damage

avatar
Root Honey

Roofing materials come in many shapes and sizes, with flat roofs being one of the most common—and also one of the most problematic. When flat roofs leak, it’s not always easy to find the source of the leak, which makes it difficult to fix and can lead to more damage down the road. To prevent this kind of trouble from arising, homeowners need to know how to spot and fix a flat roof leak before it does major damage to their homes. Here are some tips on how to fix your flat roof so that you don’t have to worry about leaks and costly repair bills down the road.


Signs of trouble

One of the easiest ways to determine if your flat roof is in need of repair is by looking for signs of trouble, such as leaking or missing shingles. Additionally, if you’ve noticed an accumulation of water at any point on your flat roof, it’s time to get up there and investigate. Pay close attention to valleys on sloped roofs that may be hiding places for puddles after a good rain.


Identifying the cause

Depending on where you live, flat roofs can be a great option for keeping warm in winter and staying cool in summer. They’re easier to clean than gabled roofs, take up less attic space, are cheaper to build than pitched roofs, and don’t usually require complicated or expensive repairs. But it's also important to understand that flat roofs have their own set of problems that property owners will have to deal with at some point; perhaps even more often than those who own traditional gabled roofs. To keep your flat roof properly ventilated is an essential part of protecting your home from leaks and major damage. Here are five things every homeowner should know about flat roof repair.


Quick fixes

The best way to fix a flat roof leak is to take care of it immediately. If water damage has occurred, you’ll need to clean it up quickly. Sometimes, that means ripping out ceiling tiles and replacing them with new ones, but for smaller leaks, you can use flat roof repair membranes or materials like sealant. No matter what your source of water damage is, don’t ignore it: You could end up with permanent structural damage if you leave your leak unattended.


Professional repairs

Get your roofing company involved as soon as you suspect that you have a leak on your flat roof. This way, they can perform an inspection to determine where it’s coming from and come up with solutions. They should also be able to tell if it’s even possible for them to fix it themselves. If so, they’ll give you an estimate of how much it will cost.


Looking at replacement options

If you’re trying to determine whether you need a flat roof repair or if it’s time for replacement, be sure to check these three things: shingles are curled, your roof is covered in moss, or debris has settled under your flat roof. If any of these conditions exist—especially all three at once—consider replacing your roof. This may seem costly, but taking care of small problems before they turn into big ones could save you money down the road.


Signs your flat roof needs replacement

If your flat roof has aged or has been damaged in any way, it may be time for an upgrade. If you see signs of leaks, spots where water collects or tiles beginning to loosen, it’s time to consider getting a new roof. These can all be signs that your flat roof is failing. Keep in mind that these are also common issues with other types of roofs as well.



collect
0
avatar
Root Honey
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more