How To Get The Most Out Of Your Commercial Flat Roof

When it comes to installing a flat roof for a commercial building, the decision has usually been made due to the practicality of the flat roof design, giving low maintenance functionality, simplicity and their greatness for covering large areas easily. This is especially handy for large commercial buildings such as factories and storage buildings. When it comes to the fact that your best option for your commercial building is to install a flat roof, we have compiled a list of ways business owners can get the most out of their flat roofs.

Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Flat Roof

Knowing how to extend the life of your commercial flat roof is vital to ensure it not only performs as it should but protects the rest of the building and any contents inside your factory or warehouse. 

• Have the roof inspected after a storm - If your roof has been subjected to major storms, or strong rain and winds, it is in your best interest to have the roof checked as soon as the weather has passed. This will avoid any long-term damage or perhaps even collapses that can hurt both your workers and the building. Trained roofing professionals will be able to check for any leaks, loose roofing materials or pooling. It is important to never ignore “minor issues” as these could very quickly turn into large and expensive issues, costing you more in the long run.

• Maintain a clean roof - Just as you would with any other part of your building, you need to ensure your flat roof is kept clean, and free of any debris, leaves or twigs. Any loose material such as these can clog up drains and therefore result in leaks and pooling if not cleared out regularly. This will only lead to a much faster deterioration of your flat roof. 

• Keep an eye out for any mould - Mould can grow on your flat roof due to any drainage blocks. If your drainage system is not working properly, you are soon going to know about it. By the time the damage and mould have been discovered, it could have spread along walls and ceilings. Mould can cause major health problems for anyone working in the building, and can also cause damage to the structure. Mould is a clear indicator of moisture build-up, often caused by a leak or crack in the surface of the roof. If this is the case, no one should be walking on the roof, or storing heavy materials. 

• Avoid any pressure washing - As seen above, one of our tips is to keep your flat roof clean and tidy, however, there are certain things that you should avoid in order to keep the condition of your roof in the best possible condition for as long as you can. When wanting to clean your roof, your best option is to hire a contractor to simply clear the debris and sweep up any mess. Pressure washing the flat roof will push the debris, leaves and twigs under the surface of the flat roof if you are not careful, leading to mould, mildew and growth. This will result in much higher fixing costs. 

• Trim tree branches - When installing a flat roof, it is a good idea to be mindful of the trees surrounding the building. If there are trees right next to the building that is higher than the roof, ensure these can be trimmed regularly. The tree branches can scrape the membranes which allow water to seep into the other layers and again, cause mould, leaks or growth. Moss can also transfer from tree branches onto the roof's membranes and destroy them. Make sure if you are wishing to trim the tree branches, hiring a professional is your safest option, just as you would hire a professional to look after your roof. 

For roofing materials, advice or information, you can look through our roofing EPDM membrane options here, or check out our training section with Rubbaseal.