Flat roofs are pretty common on residential properties, particularly those that have been extended and have dormers. If you're about to have a flat roof installed you'll know there are several roofing materials that are suitable for flat roofs, such as felt, rubber and fibreglass. Regardless of the material you choose for your roof, you'll need to be aware of what's involved in maintaining a flat roof.

Good maintenance can prevent the need for roof repairs further down the line and can extend the lifespan of your flat roof. When a flat roof is damaged, watermarks will appear on your ceiling, leaving you with repair work to do inside and outside of your home. However, proper maintenance will allow you to spot any early warning signs of damage and can prevent you from having to deal with damage to your ceiling.

Here are some tips for maintaining a flat roof.

Do Regular Checks

It's wise to check the condition of your flat roof at least annually. Roofers often offer an annual roof inspection that can catch any problems resulting from the high winds and heavy rainfall during the winter months. Adverse weather can cause flat roofs to crack or bubble, which can allow water to seep in. High winds can cause felt to tear, and heavy rain can cause water to pool on some flat roofs. Pooling is bad news and is a sign that you may need to have drainage installed on your flat roof to prevent sitting water from causing damage.

Remove Debris

After a storm, you should check your roof for debris. Debris can cause tears in your roof and interfere with the draining of water after rainfall. If debris is left on your roof to decompose, the section of your roof that's affected may suffer excess wear and remain damp for extended periods, which can reduce the lifespan of your roof. Additionally, in some areas, moss can develop on flat roofs. Again, this will cause your roof to remain damp for extended periods, so it needs to be cleared off.

Keep Gutters Clear

The guttering around the edges of your flat roof needs to be kept clear. Blocked gutters will greatly impact water drainage from your flat roof and can cause damage to the seals around the edges of your roof due to extended periods of dampness. If a seal cracks open around a blocked gutter, you will have water getting under your roof and this can damage the supporting woodwork.

Cut Back Surrounding Foliage

If you have overhanging trees, keep them cut back to prevent leaf fall on your flat roof. Leaves will increase dampness on your roof and encourage the growth of algae and moss. Additionally, pieces of broken branches can scratch or tear any type of flat roof.

Flat roofs don't take a lot of work to keep in good condition and regular maintenance will keep your roof in good shape. If you have any questions about maintaining your flat roof, speak to your roofing contractor. They can explain the pros and cons of each roofing material and put together a maintenance schedule for you.