What does ponding on a flat roof look like?

If your roof looks like it has ponds on it after a heavy downpour, it is likely that there is an issue with drainage. Another sign is circles of algae or dirt on the surface of the flat roof, indicating that ponding is occurring.

Ponding can also indicate that the structure of the roof deck itself is affected, as sagging of the roof structure creates an uneven surface that allows water to pool. Poor flat roof design is also a contributory factor to ponding. The roof deck should be designed to have an accurate slope to enable water to drain away effectively.

Whatever the cause, ponding issues should be addressed quickly after discovery, as ignoring such problems can lead to water ingress and subsequent leaking, which can cause expensive damage to both the remaining flat roof and the interior of the building. Ponding water can grow more serious if left, and the additional pressure a pond or pool of water creates can force water through the tiniest holes or tears in the flat roof materials. In the worst-case scenario, additional weight caused by a water pond can cause the roof deck to collapse. Ponding water can weigh up to 5lbs per square foot of roof deck! Therefore, it is critical to realise that ponding is a problem that cannot be ignored.

What you can do to address ponding on your flat roof

The first thing to do is to check the gutters all around the flat roof. Gutters and downpipes are the primary source of drainage across the roof. Make sure all are clear of debris, and check that there are enough drainage points. If the roofing material is felt, there is a good chance that it is reaching the end of its lifecycle, and it should be replaced. Felt is a traditional roof covering that is fast becoming outdated, as the latest single-ply membranes have a far superior lifespan. Spending a little more on a product such as EPDM membrane, for example, will pay off significantly in the long term.

How Permaroof Peterborough can help you

Permaroof Peterborough is your local roofing contractor, trusted, registered and fully insured to carry out all your flat roof repairs and replacements. We’re experienced and really want to help local homeowners to get the most from your flat roofing and find the sustainable solution you’ve been looking for.

EPDM rubber roofing systems do offer unmatched longevity with an expected lifespan of more than 50 years. Call us and book a no obligation survey and quote or visit the flat roofing page to find out more.

The post What is Ponding and is it Bad for Your Flat Roof? appeared first on Permaroof Peterborough.

Firestone EPDM was the obvious choice for this garage roof

The client chose to go with Firestone EPDM as they wanted a maintenance free, long lasting solution that looked attractive and added curb-appeal.

EPDM is the most reliable and durable material solution for a flat roof. The first Firestone rubber EPDM roofs were laid in the US by Firestone in the 1980s and are still protecting these roofs today. Well known buildings with EPDM rubber roofing include Honda factories, McLaren, CocaCola, Kraft, Nike, Burj al Arab, schools, shopping centres, railway stations, and many more hundreds of thousands of commercial and residential properties. Over 1.5 billion square metres of this material is installed worldwide.

Skylights for natural light

The client selected the skylights to add natural light to both the walkway and the garage. Because the membrane is easy to cut around any shape, the client was able to chose the skylights that they preferred, without any concerns about the suitability for the roofing material.

A flurry of flat roof garage extensions in Peterborough

Permaroof Peterborough have experienced a recent uplift in demand for EPDM garage roof installations in and around Peterborough, and our experienced team are happy to provide free quotes for any project – big or small. We guarantee a high standard of workmanship every time, with outstanding customer care.

About us

As part of the Permaroof License Network, we offer Insurance Backed Guarantees as standard. Every installation is photographed, before, during and after and is logged on file as part of the guarantee registration. To strengthen this we are also open to random quality control inspections, so you as a consumer can be assured you are getting a quality installation.

We are also members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors and their Competent Roofing Scheme, which again is quality inspected from time-to-time, as well as being a Which Trusted Trader which is verified every year.

Our roofing services

Standard features of our service include:

• Full site survey by experienced personnel
• Complete report including expected residual lifetime of roof and necessary details
• Recommendations for new or remedial works and the appropriate installation system
• Quotation based on experienced estimation, survey, report and recommendation
• Site safety planning is included as standard, including conformance to all relevant Health and Safety Regulations

What we offer:

• Firestone RubberCover EPDM Flat Roof System – Firestone EPDM Roofing Systems dominate the single-ply roofing market through their proven performance, durability and flexibility over a wide range of building types. Find out more.
• New and Replacement UPVC Fascias – To complement your new rubber flat roof, why not consider having replacement soffits and fascias. We can take off your old fascias and replace them with quality UPVC fascias that require no maintenance. Find out more.
• Liquid Waterproofing and Roofing – The Permaroof 500 Liquid roof system, is a highly elastomeric continuous waterproofing membrane that can be installed in a single layer with excellent adhesion to all types of surfaces. Permaroof 500 holds ETA Certification for 5 years’ life expectancy, making it an idea solution for waterproofing new builds or restorations. Find out more.
• Replacement Gutters and Permaroof Gutterbrush – As part of our services we can offer to remove and replace your rainwater guttering. We also offer the option of having the Permaroof GutterBrush installed preventing blocked gutters caused by leaves and twigs. Find out more.
• Anti Slip Surfacing – As part of the Permaroof Liquid Coatings range, we offer a range of solutions for anti-slip surfacing. This can be incorporated into a waterproof system, or applied to existing surfaces to create an anti slip environment, such as stairs, balconies, footpaths and car parks. Find out more.

Areas Covered

Our flat roofing services are based in Peterborough but we also cover:

• St Neots – Huntingdon
• Sawtry
• Peterborough
• Stamford
• Spalding

The post Garage Flat Roof Installation on New Extension appeared first on Permaroof Peterborough.

How to check the condition of your garage roof

If you give your garage roof a regular, visual inspection, it becomes easier to spot potential issues. This is always a good idea, as potential issues can be dealt with before they become problems that require emergency attention, which can often prove expensive.

If your garage is within sight of your home, an initial visual inspection can be carried out from an upstairs window, where you have a clear view of the entire surface area. Look over the roof and check for the following signs of wear or damage:

Ponding

Ponding is the term given to when water gathers in puddles (or worse) on the garage roof following rain. It is a sign that there is a problem with the roof covering or, in the worst cases, it can signal damage to the roof deck itself.

Tears, rips or holes

If you spot any tears, rips or holes in the existing roof felt or old membrane, this needs attention straightaway, as water can easily seep through the smallest flaw and begin to get inside the building.

Bubbles

Some forms of flat roofing, such as asphalt felt or tar paper, are prone to bubbling after spells of hot weather. Bubbles dry out faster than the rest of the felt and this can lead to cracking.

Fallen debris

After a storm or a spell of high winds, debris can fall on flat roofing and damage it. It is a good idea to have large items removed, such as tree branches, from the surface of any type of roofing, before serious damage occurs.

What to do if you find issues?

If you spot any of the above issues, carry out a further inspection inside the garage to determine whether damage has already occurred. It will be worth, at this stage, considering whether you need to remove any items stored inside that could be at risk of damage.

If there is visible damage to the roof deck, this will need to be repaired or replaced before the surfacing materials.

If you are unsure, give us a call – don’t climb on the roof if you are not confident in your skills or in your roof! Get in touch today

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