If you live somewhere in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, or other southwestern US regions, chances are that your house has a flat root. Many homeowners choose it for low maintenance, an opportunity to have a rooftop garden or a minimalist look that blends perfectly with modern and contemporary architecture. Such a housetop can generally last 25-50 years if well-installed and maintained. But extreme weather conditions like extra high heat, hail, or strong winds can deal a nasty blow to the flat roofing systems causing cracks, decay, or wrapping. Even though you can’t control the elements, you can prolong your housetop’s lifespan with regular maintenance and repairs.
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Telltale Signs It’s Time to Consider Flat Roof Replacement
A housetop is like an underpaid employee – it plays a crucial role in protecting your beloved ones and belongings but never gets a bonus pay, aka regular maintenance. With such an attitude, it can develop a wide range of minor problems that multiply over time. So, the necessity of hiring flat roof experts can loom on the horizon at some point. How to tell it’s time for a new housetop? You can pinpoint the following warning signs:
- Leaks and water damage.Obvious things go first. If you’ve noticed brown stains on the ceiling, mold, or damp surfaces in the attic after roof repair, only a replacement can help handle the issue.
- Ponding water.If water pools on your roof and doesn’t drain or evaporate after 48 hours, it’s a clear sign that your roof may need replacing. You can’t postpone this task, as prolonged ponding can lead to algae growth, leaks, and housetop collapse in the days to come.
- Blisters and cracks.First, you can notice bubbles or blisters on your roof surface. In a few weeks, they can pop, leaving cracks ideal for trapping water. One heavy rainfall can be enough to damage your property to the foundation.
- Damaged flashing. The key purpose of flashing is to safeguard and seal the seams around the housetop protrusions like skylights and chimneys. When damaged or missed, rainwater can easily find its way into the house.
- High energy bills.If your energy consumption keeps rising along with utility bills, it can indicate poor housetop insulation. Aging and moisture can make it go downhill. While the flat roof replacement cost may seem high, you can spend ten times as much on energy bills.
How to Make Your Flat Roof Replacement Project a Success Story
Discovering signs your flat roof needs to be replaced may come like a bolt from the blue. You may start frantically searching for local flat roofing companies or DIY videos on YouTube to handle the issue. That’s when you need to stop and assess the situation rationally. Do you have the extensive experience and required top-notch equipment to complete the project in a jiffy? If not, you should take the following steps:
- Plan your budget.Any roof replacement project involves a lot of expenses, depending on the extent of the damage. That’s why planning your budget beforehand can give you a better understanding of whether you need to cut corners and buy cheaper materials. You can contact a professional roofer for a thorough and accurate evaluation.
- Select the right roofing materials.You can choose from a variety of materials to cover your housetop. They come with different price tags, life spans, and maintenance requirements. You can either ask the contractor or google what materials can be the best bet for your area and climate.
- Schedule at the right time.The success of your project will greatly depend on weather conditions. It’s better to replace a roof in late spring or summer when you won’t be interrupted by rainfalls. Keep in mind that quality work takes time, so don’t rush the process if you don’t want to redo everything anytime soon.
- Hire experienced roofers. Even though professional roofing services mean higher expenses, you’ll benefit from them in the future. It’s worth looking for flat roof specialists near you as they know local building codes and the peculiarities of replacement. You can also team up with them for further maintenance and inspections to keep your brand-new roof in tip-top condition.
The Bottom Line
Roof replacement may feel like a burden because it is really one. However, ignoring your housetop problems will not make them go away. On the contrary, they can snowball, pushing you over the edge. By hiring reliable specialists, you can lessen the burden much faster and in a fault-proven way. They’ll ensure that your new flat housetop has proper drainage to avoid water build-up and can last without issues for many years. Plus, if you have any changes or concerns, you can always communicate them early on to avoid any problems down the road.
