Many commercial building owners are under the impression that they are skilled enough to make roof repairs. Patching a small tear of resealing weathered flashing seems simple enough. But at the end of the day, there’s an entire construction sector dedicated to roof repair and installation for good reason. Should you hire flat roof specialists to make your repair? The answer is yes!

Here are four reasons to hire flat roof specialists.

Experience Counts

People who are new to flat roof repairs will inevitably go through a trial and error learning curve. It may seem like you’re saving money by doing it yourself, but the potential damage to business operations and electrical fixtures can definitely outweigh any savings. You may also allow potentially harmful mold growths to develop as moisture penetrates into ceilings and walls. The cost of mold remediation is quite high. Experienced flat roof specialists do this work every day and get it right the first time.

Safety First

Perhaps the most common accident that occurs during roofing repairs is a fall. Whether its slipping from a ladder while hauling up tools or falling through a hidden soft spot under the tar and gravel. Long-term water seepage can rot timbers and beams. Professional are well aware of the various hazards and are far less likely to be injured than a novice.

Flat Roof Specialists Understand Roof-Life Expectancy

The tendency to patch leaking roofs can be very enticing. Many property owners feel they’ll save money by putting a few Band-Aids on damaged or decaying areas. People that work in the flat roof industry have a keener sense about the appropriate time to make a repair or full replacement. Roofs that have outlasted their life expectancy tend to spring chronic leaks. Flat roof specialists can conduct a full inspection and determine which path may be the most cost effective.

It’s A Niche Profession

Carpenters, general contractors and other building professionals either handle the broad strokes of construction and repair or they have their own area of expertise. Flat roof specialists work on exactly the type of roof that you have every day. That basically makes them the most knowledgeable skilled labor for these particular jobs. If you think about it, you wouldn’t hire a plumber to do brain surgery. So, why would you hire a general contractor to work on a very specific type of roof? Expertise matters.

If you are experiencing leaks or want to be proactive about maintenance and replacement, contact the flat roof specialists at Montgomery Contractors for a free estimate.

Hot Tar Roof Repair or Replacement?

Making a minor hot tar roof repair can be economical when it sustains damage from intense weather or impact. But the older a roof gets, the more likely you’re creating a money pit of continual patchwork and leaking issues. Here is some information that can help you make an informed decision about when it’s time to stop making small fixes and get a new roof.

Common Repair Issues

Although hot tar roofs are among the strongest, being exposed to the elements can cause a variety of repair issues. Many of these minor problems make good fiscal sense to just have fixed. These include:

●Exposed Intermat: When the asphalt that secures the gravel wears away, it can expose the intermat below. This opens the roof to water seepage and can be recoated and sealed.
●Damaged Areas: Fluctuating temperatures, falling objects or just walking on the roof can cause damage. Isolated problems may be manageable for a flat roof professional.
● Rising Nails: When nails aren’t fully driven in, they can protrude over time. This may require a simple repair or be the symptom of a larger problem.
●Improper Flashing: It’s common that flashing isn’t properly sealed and allows water penetration. Fortunately, this is generally a minor repair.

The Time Factor

The classic hot tar and gravel roof enjoys at least three layers of waterproof material with hot material inserted at each level. When properly installed, they are strong and generally last 20-25 years. That’s an important piece of information to have on file because that could be the key to making the call between hot tar roof repair and replacement.

When areas begin to fail around skylights and pipe penetrations, the gut reaction to patch and repair may be fine for young roofs. But in roofs that have logged a few too many years, you’re likely to see other leaks occur. There’s a tendency for one quick fix to lead on to another and another. That’s the “money pit” syndrome, and it can be frustrating and financially draining. If your roof is over 20 years old, it’s important to get a complete assessment from a hot tar roof repair and replacement professional.

If you are experiencing leaks or want to be proactive about flat roof maintenance and replacement, contact Montgomery Contractors for a free estimate.

Insulating a Flat Roof Requires Ventilation Above the Insulation

There is a common misconception that flat roofs are difficult to insulate. This misconception is so strong that some people actually choose to not get flat roofs because they are worried about the roofs not being properly insulated. However, insulating a flat roof is not too difficult if you know what you’re doing. There is a set process that needs to be followed to ensure that the insulation serves its purpose. This process has been worked out over many years, and every reputable flat roofing company follows this process or a variation of it. If you are wondering how roofing companies go about insulating a flat roof with proper ventilation, read on.

This method involves leaving a ventilation space above the insulation. This is the most common way to insulate a flat roof. The space is located beneath the roof sheathing and above the ceiling of the living space. When the insulation is installed properly, there will be plenty of ventilation for a residential structure. This method may actually result in too much ventilation for commercial structures. The amount of air escaping may result in power bills that are too high. However, spaces that need to be maintained at a certain temperature for people’s comfort are well-served by installing insulation below the ventilation space.

Choosing the right insulation foam for optimal ventilation

The choice of insulation is very important for ventilation, no matter what sort of roof you have. Open cell spray foam insulation is known for allowing the best ventilation conditions. The distinction between closed cell spray foam and open cell spray foam is important to make. Closed cell spray foam does not allow enough ventilation for flat roof structures. Most professional roofers specializing in flat roofs use open cell spray foam insulation as a matter of course.

Finding the right roofer for insulating a flat roof

When getting a flat roof insulated, it is vital to go with a roofing company that really knows what they’re doing. The process can be a little tricky for people who are not experienced with this specific job. There are some roofing companies that actually specialize in flat roofs. Your best bet would be to hire one of these companies to make sure your roof is insulated properly.
Visit the Carolina Flat Roofing website todayIf you have a flat roof you need insulated (or any other flat roofing job) check out the Carolina Flat Roofing website. Here, you can find info about our company and the services we offer. We are happy to answer any questions you might have.

An Emergency Roof Leak Should Be Repaired Immediately

Occasionally, even the best roofs spring a leak. Most of the time, these leaks are minor. While minor leaks still need to fixed as soon as possible, they are not emergencies. Major leaks, however, can cause serious damage very quickly. The wooden frame under the roof is very susceptible to water damage. An emergency roof leak must be repaired immediately. If you do not fix the leak, the repairs will likely be extremely expensive. The situation may even become dangerous. Severely damaged roofs can collapse. This will require a roof replacement, and may even injure anybody inside. For more information on what to do when your flat roof has a severe leak, read on.

Don’t try to fix it yourself

Many people who have an emergency roof leak try to fix it themselves. This is usually not a good idea, even if the leak is minor. Roof repair is more complicated than most people think. Unless you are very handy, you shouldn’t even try to fix a small leak. Attempting to fix a large leak may be dangerous. Even if you do not fall off the roof and injure yourself, it is unlikely that you will effectively fix the leak.

Find a professional roofing company to call

When you have assessed the situation and determined that you need to call a roofing company, you have to figure out which roofing company to call. There are several important factors to keep in mind when you’re making this decision. Firstly, you want to hire a roofing company that specializes in the type of roof you have. Carolina Flat Roofing, for example, specializes in flat roofs. It is also important to hire a company that is known in the community as a reputable firm. You can check online review sites, but sometimes these sites can be misleading. Check with your friends and family and learn about good roofing companies by word of mouth. Once you have figured out which company to call, don’t hesitate. Time is of the essence when you are dealing with a serious leak.

Check out Carolina Flat Roofing today

If you have an emergency roof leak or any roofing issues, check out our website. We are happy to answer any questions you might have. Our customers are very important to us, and we make a point of establishing a personal relationship with every single one of them. We have been established and respected in our community as flat roof specialists for many years, and we would love the opportunity to work on your house.

Do you have a leaking flat roof?

A leaky roof can be a very serious problem, but many people do not realize how serious the problem can be. A leaky roof can obviously cause permanent and severe damage to the roof. This can be very expensive. However, there are more dangerous possibilities than that. If a leaky roof is allowed to persist for long enough, it may damage the roof to the point where it collapses. Obviously, this will be extremely expensive. It may even be dangerous depending on how severe the roof collapse is. It is absolutely vital that you get a leaky roof fixed as soon as you notice the leak. But how will the roofers repair your leaking flat roof? Read on to find out.

Patch Up Your Leaking Flat Roof

If the leak is fairly minor, it may simply need to be patched. If it can be patched, this will be less expensive and less time-consuming than replacing the entire roof. It is up to the roofers that you bring in to work on the house whether a patch or a replacement is the correct option. However, in the end, it’s your decision. You’d be best off deferring to the judgment of the professionals.

Replacing the Leaking Flat Roof

If the leak is quite severe, the roof may need to be replaced. Of course, this will be expensive. However, you should keep in mind that replacing the roof may prevent a collapse, which would be dangerous and even more expensive. As with patching the roof, it is your decision in the end whether or not to the roof is replaced. However, reputable professional roofers will not recommend a roof replacement unless the situation is very serious. You should listen carefully to what they have to say before you make your own decision.

Spraying the Leaking Flat Roof

One fairly recent development in Roofing technology is sprayed polyurethane foam, also known as SPF. This foam can actually be used to make a roof by itself, or it can be sprayed over an existing roofing material to provide extra protection. If the damage to a roof is more than just a simple leak but less than the damages required for roof replacement, this may be your best option. However, you should keep in mind that not all roofers offer this option. This technology is fairly new, so not all roofers are equipped and trained to perform this kind of repair.

Get More Info From Carolina Flat Roofing Today

To get more info on what to do when your flat roof is leaking, check out our website. You can learn more about what to do in this situation, as well as getting more information about our company and the types of repairs we offer. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask. We look forward to hearing from you.