Flat Roof Repair Solutions

At one point in time you will have to repair a leaking spot on your roof, irrespective of the roofing material used. Flat roof repair can be done domestically, without necessarily acquiring the services of an expert. By use of a few tips you may save on time and funds that would have otherwise been expended on the expert firm.

Flat roofs are constructed with layers of roofing tar and felt. You will often find leaks occurring at low spots or at points where the roofing felt is damaged. Mostly, the leak will be directly beneath the damaged point and the damage on the roofing felt will be easy to notice. Take a keen look at the leaking spot and if there is a water pool, soak it up using rags or mop it up and allow the surface to dry. Make sure any gravel at the leaking spot is brushed off. Search for big blisters where the uppermost layer has separated or any cracks in the felt.

Once the blister is found, slice it open down middle using a sharp utility knife. The cut has to penetrate to the full depth of the blistered layer, but it should not touch the sound roofing felt under it.

Once this is done, lift the cut edges of the blister. In case there is water inside the blister, press it from the edges toward the centre to squeeze it out of the roofing layers. If the layers are extremely saturated or during cold weather such as the winter season, dry the surface using propane torch that has a flame-spreader nozzle. Ensure you put on safety goggles when using the torch. Carefully move the flame forth and back over and inside the layers of the blister. It is important to note that tar and roofing felt are extremely flammable, so you should not allow the layers to get too hot lest they bubble or burn.

Once the leaking spot on the roof surface has dried up, spread thick coating roof cement on the bottom edges of the loose felt. Firmly press the sides of the blister to allow the cement to hold the surfaces. After the cement has hardened, pour some water on the spot to make sure the spot does not leak anymore.

Permanently close the blister with a row of 6d galvanised roofing nails along every side of the slit. When this is done, spread more roof cement over the whole blister, ensuring that the nail heads are covered well.

While doing your flat roof repair, it is essential that you keep the following tips about roof-repair in mind:

• The roof should be repaired on sunny days when it is completely dry. Repairing a roof in wet weather is dangerous due to the slippery nature of the roof surface.
• Use safety ropes while doing the repair.
• It is advisable to wear rubber-soled shoes while working on the roof since they provide superb traction.
• The power lines location needs to be kept in mind while doing your flat roof repair.
•  When you inspect the leaking spot and find a large blister that you may not be able to handle, seek the help of a roof-repair expert.