Flat roofs have a sleek and modern appearance. Many homeowners have opted for a flat roof for their home over a more traditional design. It’s clear that flat roofs are taking the industry by storm, but how easy are they to repair?
Like any roofing system, they require regular maintenance to stay in top shape. One common issue flat roof owners face is leaks and damage, which can be caused by various factors such as weather, wear and tear, or poor installation.
Prior to having your flat roof installed, it’s important to educate yourself on how flat roofs operate and what difficulties they can come with. Continue reading for our simple guide to repairing a flat roof.
Understanding Your Flat Roof
Before diving into repairs, it’s crucial to understand the type of flat roof you have. Flat roofs come in several varieties. Builders use an array of quality products and materials to construct your flat roof, but it’s vital to know what they’re using in case anything goes wrong in the near future.
The materials used can affect the repair process, so it’s best to identify the type of roof you have to determine the best approach. You can speak with your trusted roofing contractors to find out all the relevant information about your flat roof.
It can be hard to recognise damage to your flat roof, especially if it’s not entirely noticeable. If you suspect something is wrong, the best course of action to take is to attempt to examine your roof in detail, if it’s safe to do so.
Flat roof inspection can be done visually, but it’s often wise to get up close and personal with your roof. Look for cracks, blisters, punctures, or loose seams. Pay attention to areas around drains, vents, and chimneys, as these are common trouble spots.
Can I Repair a Flat Roof Myself?
Essentially, yes, it’s possible that you’ll be able to carry out repairs on your flat roof independently. However, it depends on how severe the damage is. If you’re experiencing ongoing leaks and tedious repairs, it might be best to call in the professionals.
If you’ve had your flat roof installed for some time, it might be that you’re due a refurb. Whether it’s having the whole structure ripped out and replaced or just having parts reinstalled, the older your flat roof is, the more problems you could potentially face.
Small cracks, punctures, blisters and loose seams are often easy and relatively straightforward to fix by yourself. Step-by-step videos and online tutorials come in handy when it comes to repairing your flat roof with little to no experience.
Gather the Right Tools and Materials
It’s vital that you spend time preparing your roof prior to performing any repairs. Always prioritise safety and use a sturdy ladder to get up and down your roof area. If you’re able to, we suggest having someone stand below you to keep the ladder in place.
Cleaning your flat roof beforehand will give you a clear view of the surface, allowing you to source the leak and find any other detrimental damages. You can use a brush or pressure washer to get rid of loose debris and built-up dirt.
Once you’ve spent time finding out the cause of your damaged flat roof and preparing your roof for repair, it’s important to gather all the necessary equipment to perform your roof repairs. For most flat roof repairs, you’ll need the following list of materials.
- Safety gear
- Roofing materials suitable for your roof type
- Roofing primer
- Roofing membrane
- Rollers and brushes
- Utility knife or scissors
- Nails and screws
- Roofing caulk
- A ladder to access the roof safely
How to Repair Your Flat Roof
Repairing your flat roof doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. By researching tips and tricks as well as using high-quality materials from reputable suppliers, you should be able to repair your flat roof with ease.
In most cases, hiring a professional contractor to visit your home and repair your roof isn’t necessary if your damage is minor. Leaks can be a common occurrence with flat roofs. When you clean your roof area regularly, there’s a greater chance of being able to find a leak.
However, it’s best to let the professionals deal with leaks. Let’s take a look at how to fix some of the most common flat roofing problems that can be fixed independently.
Sealing Small Cracks and Punctures
Start by applying a primer to the damaged area of your roof to improve adhesion. You can use a roofing caulk to seal the small cracks and punctures found on your flat roof.
It’s important to ensure that the caulk fills the entire gap. Once the cracks and punctures have been repaired, you can smooth the caulk over with a putty knife to achieve a neat and seamless finish.
Patching Blisters
If you have a blistered area on your flat roof, simply cut a piece of roofing membrane or patch material large enough to cover the part of your roof that’s been affected and simply apply a generous layer of roofing adhesive to both the blistered area and back of the patch.
Once you’ve placed the patch over the blister, smooth out any obvious wrinkles or bubbles; you can use a roofing roller to do this. To secure the seal efficiently, apply an additional layer of adhesive around the edges.
Fixing Loose Seams
Cleaning the area around your loose seam is essential. Working with a clean space allows you to perform a neat and effective repair. Start by lifting the loose seam gently and applying roofing adhesive underneath. Next, you’ll want to press the seam down with some pressure and use screws or nails to secure the seam even further.
Although it’s not entirely necessary once you’ve used screws or nails to hold the seam down, it might be beneficial to add another layer of adhesive to ensure it’s fully sealed.
Maintaining Your Flat Roof
Maintenance doesn’t have to be a tedious, challenging job to complete. It’s important to look after your roof, especially if you’ve had it installed for some time. Regular maintenance is key to preventing frequent damage and helps extend your flat roof’s life span.
By cleaning regularly, inspecting annually, looking after surrounding trees to prevent debris build-up and keeping an eye out for blockages in your drains, you’ll be able to prevent the need for repairs or flat roof replacement. If you’re able to, it might be worth hiring a professional roofing contractor to conduct a thorough inspection and maintenance.
How Restec Can Help
Here at Restec, we have a copious amount of experience and knowledge within the industry, which has allowed us to develop top-quality roofing products like no other. Our liquid roofing systems are reliable and hardwearing, protecting your home at all times.
You can shop our products across the merchant market; if you need any advice or guidance on what products are most suitable for your circumstances, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today by contacting us here. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
