Can I Repair My Flat Roof Without Replacing the Whole Roof?
Flat roofs are typically an excellent choice for both residential and commercial buildings, thanks to their affordability and durability when properly maintained. Yet flat roofs can still have major issues that can be managed in advance. Managing issues in advance means regular scheduled roof maintainance and getting your roof repairs scheduled and completed as soon as possible can potentially create a huge difference in the longevity of your flat roof.
Your flat roof can and should be repaired immediately every time it requires repair, and the fact is, repairing it can increase its life significantly. Call the experts at Rocky Mountain Roofing Services today for advice on keeping your flat roof maintained in Albuquerque or Santa Fe and repaired when repairs are necessary.
Most Flat Roofs Can Be Repaired Instead of Replaced
If you put enough effort into maintaining your flat roof, you will probably be able to have your roof repaired successfully. If damage is allowed to sit, over time, it can become progressively worse and sometimes the only option is to replace the roof.
There are several key factors to think about when considering whether to repair or replace your flat roof:
- The age of your roof
- Evidence of widespread damage to your roof
- Any situation where there has been a persistent leak that is repaired but has not been effectively repaired
- The point in time at which it is no longer cost-effective to repair your roof
Relying on your knowledgeable commercial roofing professional will help you arrive at the appropriate decision as to whether repairs will suffice or replacement will be necessary.
Most Flat Roof Repairs Are Related to Actual Roof Leaks or Possible Leaks
In most cases, flat roof repairs involve existing or potential roof leaks. Regular roof inspections and doing scheduled maintenance will help identify issues on an Albuquerque/Santa Fe residential/commercial flat roof before problems arise. Having roof repairs done early can preclude a roof replacement from being necessary for many years to come.
Flat roof repairs are generally classified into a few broad categories:
Patching
Patching is particularly effective when done as soon as possible, before the water has penetrated the surrounding roof materials or the underlying roof support material; however, if you have active water leaking or an existing patched area that leaks, a more significant and complete repair will be needed.
Roof Coatings
Applying a roof coating (silicone) is an excellent proactive measure to help prevent leaks from occurring in the first place. The roof coating will dry and provide a new additional layer of protection for your roof.
Recovering The Roof
A flat roof may be recovered, and here’s how. Roof recovery is achieved by installing a new second roof/roofing membrane (TPO), which may be applied directly over an already in-place roof by removing the existing roofing materials. TPO roofing membrane can also be installed directly over an existing roof without completely removing the old roofing material. However, the roofer doing the job may install a recovery board or new insulation layer before installing the new membrane material. Recovering a flat roof will result in significant rejuvenation of the existing roof whether there are some leaks, when there are no existing leaks, or no visible evidence of roof damage. However, anytime you contemplate overlaying a new TPO roof membrane on an existing TPO roof, you should first have a professional roofing contractor, like the pros at Rocky Mountain Roofing Services, (including moisture testing) perform an inspection of your roof.
Final Roof Repair Thoughts
It is a fact that when a roof is properly maintained it will last longer and have far less leaks. Roof leaks are the bane of all homeowners and business owners. Roof leaks cause damage to property and the building the roof covers due to water leaks creating damage or health issues such as mold, bacteria, destruction of building materials, ruined inventory or ruined personal property. In New Mexico if you have a roof leak you need to move fast. Act immediately by calling the pros at Rocky Mountain Roofing Services. We can most likely patch your roof leak problem with standard roof leak repair materials, install a roof coating to further protect it or install a 2nd roof membrane if needed. If all these remedies fail, we can replace your current roof.