A flat roof can be one of the most convenient roofing types—especially for commercial buildings. Flat roofs generally have very low maintenance costs, long lifespans and do a great job at keeping the interior of a building dry, no matter what type of precipitation is coming down. But, while flat roofs may be a great investment, ensuring that you’re getting your money’s worth all comes down to practicing proper maintenance and repairs if and when they arise.
As stated, the cost of repairs to flat roofing in Calgary aren’t usually very high—a layer of asphalt here, a reseal there, etc. What can be costly, however, are letting these problems get out of hand. If you’re aware of a roofing issue on your flat roof, then it’s a good idea to set aside some time and a little bit of money to take care of it as soon as possible or you could be paying a much higher price in the long run.
Pinpoint the problem
The first step to repairing any flat roofing in Calgary is to pinpoint the problem. Now, while this may seem like the easiest task, sometimes picking out the problem area isn’t as simple as it seems. There may be a leak in your roof that’s easy to spot, but that might not be the full extent of your troubles. Do a thorough scan of your roof and look for cracks in the asphalt (or foam, depending on your style of flat roof), low or bowing points in the structure and any other prominent imperfections before picking out the true problem spot.
If you’ve discovered a sunken patch in the roof, it’s a good idea to trace this issue to a leak and the same applies likewise. Leaks and pooling tend to come hand in hand, so discovering one generally means that the other is nearby.
Make the right fix
It’s easy to go for the quick fix in any situation—roofing is no different. Settling for the quick fix, however, is equivalent to sweeping your troubles under the rug: they’ll build up and you’ll have to deal with them sooner or later. Don’t just apply one layer of asphalt to a leaky flat roof: apply several. Don’t just fix the bowing in your roof: discover what caused it and ensure that the source of the problem is fixed as well.
Generally, once the true nature of a flat roofing problem has been discovered, the right fix is simple enough to make. Sealing up cracks in the asphalt can be easily undertaken and even if the issue is larger in nature—like a sizeable pooling area—an experienced roofing contractor will be able to get your roof back to looking like new in a fairly short amount of time.
Trust a pro
If you’re not equipped to handle a flat roof repair on your own or don’t have the time to dedicate to a long-term solution, it’s best to trust someone who does. Call the professionals at Fortified Exteriors Inc. today if you’re worried about the integrity of your building’s flat roof.