Commercial roofing is very different than residential roofing for many reasons. The first is that the majority of commercial roofs are flat, while residential roofs have slopes. Because of this, different roofing materials are used which create different problems. According to Overland Park roofing companies, the following are four of the most common problems of flat roofs commercial roofing contractors in Overland Park face.
1. Pooling Water
Because a flat roof is, well, flat, it makes it difficult for rain and snow to drain. If a flat roof becomes damaged in any way, water with nowhere to go eventually starts forming small little ponds. As you can probably assume, pooling water on a flat roof will lead to additional problems including roof leaks and algae growth. If you own a commercial building with a flat roof, you can easily avoid this by having an Overland Park roofing company come out at least once a year to inspect it.
2. Debris Build Up
Along with water, the lack of a slope on flat roofs also makes it difficult for debris to go anywhere. Where debris on a sloped roof can fall off relatively easy, debris on a flat roof will require you, or the best roofer in Overland Park, to manually clear it. This build-up of debris can also potentially block drainage access if not moved, ultimately damaging the underneath roof layers.
3. Leaks
Now leaks can obviously arise on any roof, regardless if it’s flat or not. However, leaks may form more easily on a flat roof than a sloped roof. Everything from debris build-up, pooling water, buckling, and poor installation are all factors that can contribute to a roof leak according to Overland Park roofing companies.
4. Alligatoring
Yep, you read that right. Now the term “alligatoring” doesn’t mean a flat roof attracts alligators. Alligatoring refers to the cracking and bubbling of flat roofs that eventually resembles alligator skin. Funny, huh? This is a very common problem commercial roofing contractors in Overland Park see among roofs that don’t receive annual inspections. An alligatored roof that’s left untreated will only get worse and lead you needing a new roof in Overland Park.
Commercial roofing is different in the Kansas City area. As specialists in Overland Park, Merriam, Roeland Park, Shawnee and Lenexa, we’ve seen a wide variety of roofing situations. The majority of commercial roofs are flat, while residential roofs have slopes. According to Overland Park roofing companies, these are the four most common problems of flat roofs commercial roofing contractors in Overland Park.