7 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE REPLACING FLAT YOUR ROOF

Is it time to replace your flat roofing system?

If so, there are a number of things to consider that have nothing to do with the look or style you’re going for. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to the lifespan of a flat roof. Here are some things to consider…

REPAIR VS. REPLACEMENT

Cost is always going to be a factor, you can’t get away from it.

So how do you decide when the time is right to stop repairing your roof and replace it? Find a trusted contractor to come out and give you an inspection. Better yet, get three to come out so you know you are being told the truth. In the right circumstances, replacing your roof can be a lot cheaper than repairing it over the years.

WIND

Due to the effects of positive air pressure, as wind passes across your roof and sucks your roof away from the building, you’re new roofing system needs to be sufficiently anchored.

There are a number of ways to anchor a flat roof system. Each method has some pros and cons. We can discuss what is right for your structure.

SLOPE

The slope of your roof system helps your roof sheds water. A properly sloped roof will allow for little puddling to occur.

When a poorly sloped roof starts to leak, the leaks will be much more severe for the fact that the water has nowhere else to go. Using a minimum slope of 1/4″ per foot will minimize ponding water on the roof surface and prevent leaks.

DRAINAGE

Your roof’s drainage system disposes water that your slope allows to flow into it. If your drainage system is sub-par, it can cause the same problems that an improper slope can.

As your slope increases, the amount of water that will need to be drained increases in volume. Your internal drains, scuppers, gutters and downspouts will need to be a match for the amount of water being funneled into them.

R-VALUE

Your insulation’s heat resistance is determined by its R value. You want a high R value so that heat will not be transferred by the roof. Consider your roof’s existing R-value and how it affects your heating & cooling costs. Why is this so important? A high R value means less money on utilities!

YOUR CURRENT ROOF-DECK

Wood-framed roofs often have joists that have bowed from years of constant load. This can cause water to pond in the middle of the roof. Maybe your roof decking has weird elevation changes from previous instances of construction and remodeling.

Any deck issues you have need to be faced when replacing your roofing system. Deficiencies in your current deck can cause the same problems your current roof is facing, in your new roof. The best way to fix this is to replace your decking as well.

CONTRACTOR

When choosing a contractor to install your flat roofing system in St Louis, the first thing you should look at is their reputation. GO only and see what people have to say about them. Call the Better Business Bureau to see how they handle complaints. Research research research.

There are a lot of smooth talkers out there. Make sure you choose a company you can trust. MLK Construction is BPI Certified, an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau and has been in the St Louis area for a long time.

If you’re looking to repair or replace your flat roof, check out our commercial roofing page and contact us today.