Flat Roof Tears Articles | Permaroof Peterborough Roofers

What is Ponding and is it Bad for Your Flat Roof?

Permaroof Peterborough — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 19:05:59 +0000

The issue of ponding can be bad news for your flat roof and is the first sign that the roof needs attention – fast. Ponding occurs after a spell of rain and looks exactly as it sounds – ponds of water appear across the surface of the flat roof, and sometimes remain there up to 48 hours later.

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 Felt is a traditional roof covering that is fast becoming outdated, as the latest single-ply membranes have a far superior lifespan.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.

What to Do If You Need an Emergency Roof Repair

Permaroof Peterborough — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 08:25:47 +0000

The need for an emergency roof repair commonly strikes homeowners around the UK, and it always seems to be when you could do without it the most. When a flat roof leaks, it must be dealt with as quickly as possible, to avoid costly damage to your roof deck and to interior decorations or goods stored inside.

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.

About Permaroof Peterborough

We have run a highly successful roofing business, who collectively have over 20 years’ experience in both flat and pitched roofing. All our employees are put through a two year apprenticeship to become NVQ trained, and have a wealth of experience in all types of roofing.

Our Services: We offer a range of services including installations, repairs and replacements of the Firestone RubberCover Flat Roof System, UPVC Facias, Liquid Waterproofing, Replacement Gutters, and Anti Slip.

In Partnership with Permaroof: We decided to join the Permaroof Network, as they have been around for over 18 years and have built a highly reputable supply business across the UK. We work together ensuring the highest of standards. They are one of the largest EPDM suppliers in Europe, and are authorised distributors for Firestone Building Products, who have over a century of knowledge within the rubber industry. Please visit our roofing contractor profile page on the main Permaroof website for more information.

Areas Covered: Peterborough, Stamford, Bourne, Spalding, Wisbech, March, Chatteris, St. Neots, Boston, Spilsby, Skegness, Huntingdon, St. Ives, King’s Lynn, Sandringham, Hunstanton, Swaffham, Downham Market

The post What to Do If You Need an Emergency Roof Repair appeared first on Permaroof Peterborough.

Time to Replace your Garage Roof?

Permaroof Peterborough — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:09:13 +0000

You may have been thinking about replacing a garage roof but are wondering when the best time is to do it. As winter approaches, you may think you have left it too late, but the biggest consideration of all should be about the condition of the roof itself – this should dictate when a replacement is needed, and to make sure it is watertight before winter arrives is critical.

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

About Permaroof Peterborough

We have run a highly successful roofing business, who collectively have over 20 years’ experience in both flat and pitched roofing. We offer a range of services including roof installations, repairs and replacements with the Firestone RubberCover Flat Roof System, UPVC Facias, Liquid Waterproofing, Replacement Gutters, and Anti Slip. We are a fully certified member of the Permaroof Contractor Network.

Areas Covered

Peterborough, Stamford, Bourne, Spalding, Wisbech, March, Chatteris, St. Neots, Boston, Spilsby, Skegness, Huntingdon, St. Ives, King’s Lynn, Sandringham, Hunstanton, Swaffham, Downham Market.

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