Longevity of roofing materials

Slates and concrete have the longest life expectancy (up to 100 years) but are also the heaviest option, and it may not be possible to create your desired design without a high cost. Slates are notorious for being broken or even blown off in extremely high winds, so the long-term costs can be expensive.

Metal is less expensive than slate but has a shorter life span, with an estimate of 40-60 years. Metal roofs can be prone to punctures, tears and pooling of water, plus they can be unsuitable for some building types. You wouldn’t want to create a sauna effect in your home office during summer!

Asphalt shingles present a more stylish option than concrete or metal but have the shortest life expectancy at around 20 years. They are not suitable for areas with high water run-off or risk of moss, as this can cause the shingles to break off.

A traditional felt roof is the cheapest option but also carries the lowest life span. There is a higher risk of leaking, tears and pooling of water with a felt roof.

EPDM rubber carries a life expectancy of more than 50 years and is more robust than metal. It is fire and UV resistant and is a great option for roofs with high water run-off. It also represents a very cost-effective option.

How can I prolong the life of my EPDM rubber flat roof?

Buy a quality product

The old adage of ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ rings true here. Whilst it might be tempting to shave a few pounds off the price, buying a good quality, genuine EPDM membrane for your roof will ensure it lasts an age.

Proper installation

Making sure your EPDM membrane is applied correctly will mean your flat roof will be properly sealed and you avoid any leaks, gaps or breaks. Perfect for protection against the British weather! Although EPDM rubber is suitable for DIY installation, for the best results it is always best to use an approved, trained professional to install your roof.

Correct preparation

When discussing your roofing requirements with your installer, ensure you understand what is required to adequately prepare the area. An EPDM rubber flat roof can be overlaid on other roofing types as long as they are in good condition and prepared correctly. The roof is installed by applying adhesive to both the membrane material and the existing roof. The temperature needs to be above 5 degrees for installation.

As with any major purchase for the exterior of your home, when choosing a flat roof material there are a number of factors to take into account. Getting the right balance of longevity, cost and practicality is important to help avoid any costly mistakes. With an EPDM rubber flat roof, you have the peace of mind that the installation is expected to last for around 50 years, and increases the likelihood of never worrying about replacing your flat roof materials again.

Why choose us for your rubber flat roof installation?

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

All this helps to provide reliable and professional, permanently waterproof flat roofing installations.

The post How Long Will a Rubber Flat Roof Last? appeared first on Permaroof Peterborough.

A leaking roof in need of emergency roof repair on a flat roof extension can be easily and quickly spotted, but outside buildings such as a garden shed, office or garage can sometimes be left for weeks, particularly over the winter months.

Checking your roofing for signs of leaking

It makes sense to periodically check flat roofing so that any issues can be spotted and dealt with before they become more serious problems.

Carry out visual inspections regularly, every few weeks to make sure you know your roofing. This way, when things begin to go wrong, you will know. Look for signs of bubbling or cracking in old felt coverings or membranes as this will be a giveaway sign of something going on underneath the roofing. Ponding water on the roof surface is also a sign of potential damage.

Calling in the professionals

An emergency roof repair often calls for professional attention – but this doesn’t always need to prove as costly as you’d think. Contact us today if you have an queries or would like to discuss what to do next with a leaking flat roof.

Prevention is better than cure

Prevention of a leaking flat roof is far better than treatment of one. If you think that your flat roof needs to be replaced, or you have repaired it several times before, consider recovering yours with a modern, durable and long-lasting alternative to traditional roofing. EPDM flat roofs are a better choice than unreliable roof coverings requiring expensive emergency roof repair. We offer complete flat roof replacements as well as repairs.

The post What to Do If You Need an Emergency Roof Repair 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

The post Time to Replace your Garage Roof? appeared first on Permaroof Peterborough.