If your home has a flat roof, you’re probably already familiar with the many benefits this bestows. More energy efficient, cheaper, and easier to maintain, flat roofs are a smart choice for houses in dense urban areas.
But flat roofs also require a little more maintenance, especially at the turn of the season. Here are three things you should put on your to-do list if you want to make sure your home is truly winter-ready this year.
1. Clear Away Debris
The first and simplest piece of maintenance you should undertake when autumn is coming to a close is to clear away the fallen leaves and other debris that have accumulated since the end of summer.
Depending on where you live, this can be a fairly big job. Leaves, tree branches, and other kinds of rubbish often collect on top of homes or row houses, and getting rid of all this waste is essential if you want your drainage system to operate smoothly, and you want to avoid the many problems that standing water can cause on a flat roof system.
When cleaning your roof, however, it is also important to avoid damaging the membrane itself, so use a broom rather than a rake to collect leaves.
2. Patch Holes
Cleaning your roof is also the perfect time to inspect your roof deck to see if there are any tears or holes in the roofing membrane. Even a small hole can cause water to seep into the interior, causing damage to the structure and eventually leading to leaks in your living space.
Depending on the style of flat roof you have, seams between sections of membrane may have been closed up using adhesive. Even if your roof hasn’t suffered hail damage, over time, regular fluctuations in temperature can cause these seams to pull apart, allowing water to get in.
If you do notice this kind of damage, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your Pickering roofing contractor to patch them for you. Experienced roofing contractors understand how to ensure a watertight seal, and have the tools and equipment to get the job done quickly.
3. Snake the Drains
After the membrane, drains are probably the most important component of a flat roof system. If water is given nowhere to go, it will quickly start to cause problems for the rest of the house — especially in winter. This is why you should always make sure your drains are cleared before the snow starts to fly.
Start by inspecting the leaf guard atop the drain. If it’s clogged, there’s a good chance there is a blockage within the drain as well, which may require the drain to be snaked.
This is another job best taken care of by a Pickering flat roof repair company that has the equipment that will ensure your drain will keep working perfectly through the winter.
Fall is generally a time when homeowners focus on getting their properties ready for winter. But due to the build-up of debris that often happens over the course of autumn, it’s best to leave your flat roof maintenance until the end of the season.
If your inspection reveals tears or clogs you can’t fix on your own, be sure to get in touch with professionals with the expertise to help you get your roof ship shape before winter.
