Flat roof repair can become extremely costly but is extremely important. A house is not a home without a roof over your head, and the same applies to your business. A well-maintained roof means less need for repair on both the interior and exterior, saving you money in future (as well as avoiding replacement costs!)
Because your roof is such a necessity, the quality of material and installation must be carefully considered. Good quality materials and experienced roofing contractors can decrease more than just your immediate expenses, as a once off well-done job can decrease health risks, insurance costs and ongoing maintenance problems in future.
Where Do I Start?
Assess the damage. If your flat roof in need of repair, there are different ways to go about it, depending on factors such as the kind of roof and type (and extent) of damage. If the damage is severe, you may have to replace the entire flat roof, which can be a costly and time-consuming option. This could be a knock on your business, so it should only be considered as a last resort. The two main causes for severe damage are usually old age or faulty installation, so make sure that you do a background check on when your roof was installed, and who did the installation.
Preparation
These are some questions you may want to ask:
- What are the costs involved?
- How bad is the damage?
- What materials do I need?
- How much time will repair take vs replacement?
When it comes to roof repair the best option is to get a professional roofing contractor involved right away. They would be able to assess the damage and see what you’ll need. A licensed contractor will ensure that everything is up to regulatory code, as he/she will know the local regulations regarding various types of repairs.
The Next Step
- Contact your roofing contractor, and assess the company first: how is their website? Are there testimonials that can vouch for them? What about previous jobs done? Is there policy and work experience information available?
- Arrange a visit and get a quote. Describe the problem in as much detail as you can. What materials? How old is it? Whereabout is the damage and what was the cause? If possible, arrange for the roofing company to assess it in person first. (Make sure they look inside and out!)
- Talk to your roofing contractor about the process to become familiar with it. Remember, if this is your business, you’ll need to prepare in advance for any disruptions that may occur. Make sure you notify your staff and think ahead to get your business running as smoothly as possible during the process.
The process generally goes as follows:
- If it’s a repair, then the same materials apply. If it is a roof replacement, choose the type of roofing material for your new flat roof. Talk to your contractor about the different materials and assess which one would be best for you: Asphalt (Roll Roofing), Self-adhesive rolls, single-ply membrane roofs are some of the options you may encounter.
- Once you know what to get, the roofing contractor will get the necessary supplies, and will begin to remove the old roof. if there is only need for repair, then they will only remove the damaged, weak or rotten areas.
- Inspection comes next. Removing the roof exposes the interior that is usually hidden from view; the fascia, the perimeter of the roof and the deck will be inspected for water damage or rot. If any damage is found, these parts will be replaced prior to the new roof installation.
- Next would be installation of the ‘under-roof’ – such as insulation, cant strips and wooden planking. Once that’s done correctly, your roof is ready for the final step.
- Your roofing surface can now be redone! This can be done in multiple ways due to the different types of materials, as well as different methods.
- Once your roof surface is installed, inspection of the new roof occurs, and this is to ensure that the job was done properly – should any adjustments be made.
- The final step is the cleanup process, which involves removing any excess materials, debris and dust that occurred during the installation process. Now your place is clean and your new roof is done!
If you’re looking for a licensed contractor, contact Aabco Roofing Corp. for all your roof maintenance needs.
