Time for your Roof Inspection?

• The Lincs Group
• 2024-09-24 10:00:00

Flat Roofs are a popular & often more cost-effective option for many commercial & residential buildings. However, due to the 'flatness', this can make them prone to specific issues, generally resulting in a lower lifespan than the pitched roof alternatives. This makes regular maintenance inspections essential. Neglecting your flat roof covering can lead to unexpected leaks and issues, which can sometimes be quite expensive to repair. We've outlined some of the issues below:

1: Vulnerability to water ingress:

Flat roofs, unlike pitched roofs, have minimal slope, which means water doesn't run off as easily. Sometimes, particularly on larger roofs or on unique structures, achieving any slope can be difficult, causing sitting water. This can increase the speed of the roof coverings degradation (unless EPDM as this is protected against ponding). A maintenance inspection can identify any drainage issues, or find areas the ponding may have started to cause damage.

2: Impact of weather:

Most flat roof coverings are more prone to the effects of harsh weathering. Extreme hold and cold, including the effects of UV and frost build-up can weaken the roof covering over time, leading to potential leaks. Felt and fibreglass systems can suffer from this more as they do not expand or contract as well with temperature fluctuations, sometimes leading to cracks and ingress. This is why you often see stones on felt flat roofs - to protect it from UV! Rubber or EPDM is more resilient to weather, but still benefits from being inspected. A maintenance can help identify areas which have deteriorated, before they spring a leak.

3: General problems:

As flat roof coverings are generally a thin layer, & with them being flat - makes them more prone to damage. This can be from a tile that's fallen from a roof above, a piece of glass in someone's shoe when walking, or a drain being blocked - causing water to back up onto the roof. These issues often go unnoticed until water eventually seeps (or pours!) in. Regular maintenance inspections can pick up on damaged or problematic areas, so that they don't turn into full roof renovations.

The benefits of the roof inspection are many. These can include:

Cost Savings: Early detection & prevention of small issues can help prevent more expensive repairs or full renovations down the line. 

Compliance with Building Regulations: The importance of Health & safety continues to increase, particularly in the commercial sector. They can be subject to specific safety and building code requirements. Flat roof inspections can help ensure that the roof remains compliant with these regulations.

Increased Safety: A neglected flat roof, particularly on older roofs, can pose a safety risks to occupants. Unaddressed issues can cause leaks which lead to structural damage - in extreme cases this has the potential for roof collapse, which can be catastrophic. Regular inspections ensure that the roof remains safe for use and can support the necessary loads.

Improved Energy Efficiency A well-maintained flat roof can improve the energy efficiency of a building. Issues like cracks, gaps, or poor insulation can lead to heat loss in the winter or increased cooling costs in the summer. A maintenance inspection can pick up on this and prevent accidents.

In conclusion, annual inspection of your flat roofs are an important part of your buildings maintenance which shouldn't be overlooked. For just a small inspection fee, you can help prevent unforeseen damage, increase the roofs lifespan, save money in the longer run, & avoid emergency repairs and safety concerns

Contact The Lincs Group LTD today to book in your flat roof inspection. We'll use our decades of experience to inspect your roof, and provide an inspection report if required.