Flat rooftops have remained a popular choice for commercial properties. Over the last decade, it has also become the go-to trend for eco-friendly residential homes. If you are among this group of property owners, here are a few of the most important roofing repair tips for gravel rooftops.
What Are The Components Of A Flat Roof?
A popular type of flat roof is a built-up roof (BUR) that layers tar and gravel. This type of roof is visually stunning, fire-resistant, and affordable. Because there is a small gravel layering, it’s important to also keep in mind that strong winds and rain can clog up a home’s gutter system.
This type of roofing system is also durable, but it will require some routine maintenance and roofing repair to preserve a multi-layered system of reinforced fabric or bitumen on either a fiberglass membrane or an asphalt sheeting. The final layering of a flat roof is gravel (or stone). Property owners also have the option of choosing a three, four, or five-layered roofing system.
Top Roofing Repair Problems To Expect On Flat Roofs
- Maintenance & Upkeep
Because home or business owners can only see the top gravel layer, it’s difficult to know when a flat roof needs roofing repair. That is why it is essential to work with the best roofing company in the Greater Boston and North Shore areas. Our roofing experts know what to look for, whether it’s missing gravel, or leaks in the primary or secondary layers.
- Gravel Displacement
While gravel is weighty, it is also small enough to suffer from displacement because of weather patterns, people walking on the roof, or wear-and-tear. When the gravel layers thin out, you can DIY it or call our experts at North Shore Roofing to check for underlying problems. If you already have yearly maintenance checks, we’ll check it all.
- Weight Issues
Because tar and gravel flat roofs are layered, they are heavier than other flat roof systems. The added weight can over-tax its structural integrity if not properly installed by experts.
- Moisture & Mold
While the bottom layers are water-resistant, the top gravel layer is the perfect material for standing water. Even with the right drainage system, saturated building materials can be the perfect environment for microscopic organisms such as mold and mildew growth.
- Walking On The Roof Can Cause Damage
Whether you have a home or a business, you should expect to have workers on your roof. Without careful attention to its structural elements, it’s possible to damage the asphalt and dislocate the gravel. If you expect your workers to need regular access, ask us about adding noticeable footpaths on the roof to increase the chance of safe foot travel. You don’t want to worry about workers crushing the gravel into the weather-resistant layering.
What Is The Best Way To Repair A Gravel Roof?
The best way to repair a gravel roof is by calling North Shore Roofing. Working with tar and gravel roofs can be tricky because the layering components must be accurately detailed. You also may repair a top layer and miss a serious underlying problem, which will require additional roofing repair expenses. You must start with the bottom layer and work up when repairing it.
Roofing repair is an essential part of property upkeep, so why not call us at (978) 977-3816 or contact us on www.facebook.com/NorthShoreRoofingMA to learn more about our flat roofs.
