When we talk about flat roofs, we’d like to start with a common misconception that flat roofs are actually flat. They are not actually flat. While you can’t see it with the untrained eye, there is a slight pitch. Flat roofs are designed as nearly flat to allow for water drainage and to make the home more energy efficient. In Las Vegas, where we experience less than six inches of rainfall per year and many days of sun, it helps to have less roof to heat the rest of the house. However, in spite of the benefits, flat roof problems still occur.
Get Ahead of Flat Roof Problems
As with any type of roof, a flat roof needs regular inspection and maintenance. We recommend inspecting the inside and outside of your home for signs of leaks and other damage every three to six months. Discoloration or bubbling on the ceiling or walls, sunlight in the attic, and moss growing on the roof are signs there is a water-related problem and it’s time to call a roofing contractor.
In spite of the slight pitch, flat roofs may still have areas where water and debris gather, causing damage and attracting critters you may not want to have access to your home. Eradicating these pests and fixing the leaks or replacing the roof can add up to big, and perhaps unexpected, bills for homeowners.
Flat roof homes are attractive because space can be used for outdoor gatherings. The extra use leads them to wear and tear that simply doesn’t occur with pitched roofs. Unless you built your home, you may not know if the roof was truly intended for social gatherings and using it as such may cause a breach in the waterproofing membrane. As a result, there may be damage and erosion quicker than a 10-20 year warranty would indicate.
More common than water damage in Las Vegas is when the sun dries the roof to the point that it is cracked, bubbling, or even buckling. Not only that, but wind storms cause shingles to fall off; on a pitched roof we don’t worry as much because there are many layers but a flat roof is constructed differently and may not withstand a storm in the same way. This type of change if left untreated, causes damage to the roof and, in worst case scenarios, to the safety and integrity of the home.
Professional Roof Inspection
At Weatherguard Construction, we are dedicated to keeping your family safe which is why we offer free roof inspections. Call us today to learn more about care and inspection of your flat roof home.
