Flat Roof Systems Archives - Flat Roofs By Pegram

STORM DAMAGE?

Hail damage isn’t always easy to detect on a flat roof. In fact, damage from a weather event may go unnoticed for months or even years, long past the allowable time to file a claim for compensation with your insurance company. As there have been some significant storms of late, it is important to have a specialist inspect your roof. Some hail roof damage is pretty obvious, while other damage is not. Severe roof damage can be seen visually in the form of holes, splitting, and cracking in the roofing material. Latent damage refers to structural damage that you may not be able to see visually, but will likely cause issues such as leaks and cracks later on if it is not addressed. If damaged roofs are ignored, the owner is looking at a host of problems down the road including mold, increased energy bills, decreased property value and other safety issues.

To protect yourself and the value of your building, have a storm damage inspection done today.

Call us for your FREE inspection. 757-537-1945

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|April 26th, 2017|Flat Roof Systems|0 Comments|

Top Reasons Why Spring Is The Best Time For Roof Inspections

Winters can be brutal. If you own a business, you know how important your roof can be to the health of it. A leaking roof can cost you thousands of dollars in lost product and revenue as well as make your business look unprofessional if you have to place buckets in strategic places in order to catch the leaks. Taking the time to perform an inspection on your roof during the spring can reap plenty of dividends later on down the road.

Choose the Professionals

Beating rain and heavy snowfalls can take a toll on your roof, but do you know what to look for when completing an inspection? Professional roofing companies not only know what to look for when they inspect your roof, they also have specialized tools and ladders. These tools ensure that the job is completed thoroughly as well as safely. Another reason for choosing a professional? You don’t have to squeeze a roof inspection in between all of your other business needs. The professionals can give your roof the time that is needed so that nothing is missed.

Catch Problems Early

It’s easy to think that just because you do not see any obvious signs of a leak that your roof is in great shape. The reality, though, is that you often cannot see problem areas until they make their presence — unpleasantly! — known. Springing for a roof inspection gives you firsthand knowledge of any weak areas that might allow water to breach its barriers so that you can get them fixed promptly.

Stay Beautiful

The look of your property says a great deal about your business as well as your professionalism. Cosmetic damage such as missing roofing elements not only allow precipitation to penetrate your building, they look unsightly and unkempt. This can lead to an overall sloppy look that does not exude confidence in your business.

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|April 4th, 2017|Flat Roof Systems|0 Comments|

Common Causes for Roof Leaks in Heavy Rain

Even if your roof is well-maintained or fairly new, heavy rainfall is still a cause for concern. The areas of your roof that are prone to pooling water can lead to a leak during heavy rain. Not to mention, your gutters simply may not be able to keep up with the downpour.

Below are some common causes of roof leaks in heavy rain.

Leaking Skylight
It is not uncommon for skylights to leak during heavy rains. This does not necessarily mean the skylight is damaged, but that the condensation from the rain and runoff has a higher chance of leaking through.
Caulking has left gaps that rainwater is seeping into.
In most cases, placing a bucket under the leak will do as a temporary fix. After the rain stops, find a roofing inspector immediately to assess the damages from the leak.

Flat Roofs
Some flat roofs lack the drainage required to keep up with heavy rainfall. If your roof lacks proper drainage, this is an excellent place to begin improvements.
Home and Business Owners with flat roofing must also ensure their roof is properly sealed, and that all eaves and flashings are in good standing. This means that seasonal roof inspections cannot be allowed to fall by the wayside.
Keep in mind that flat roofs don’t always leak in the same manner as roofs with more shape. Instead, you may find drip marks down a large area of your walls or a wet spot on the ceiling.

Chimney Leaks
Chimneys are designed to do an adequate job of keeping the elements out, but your chimney could be the cause of your leaking roof. Homes with chimneys are commonly facing problems with roof leaks.
The outer structure of your chimney often retains water, which can make the roof leak in a hard rain. You must also make sure the shingles and flashing surrounding the chimney are in proper working order.
The flashing is a piece of sheet metal that covers the overlapping areas of the chimney and roof. Two layers of flashing is applied to the chimney and roof, and a sealed with a high-quality urethane caulk.
Naturally this caulk becomes loose over time and creates a pocket for rainwater to seep in. Often times reapplying the caulking could work as chimney leak repair, but flashing may need additional maintenance and a trained eye.

Plumbing Leaks
If you have any vent caps for ventilation exhaust fans on your roof, they may be the source of your leak. Before you climb on the roof to look for leaks, make sure your bath fan duct is insulated.
A fan duct that is not properly insulated will moisten the air. This leads to condensation in the duct. Look out for moisture building in the bathroom walls, or within the attic.
Looking for wet or dark spots when searching for a bathroom exhaust fan leak

CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE INSPECTION 757-537-1945

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|March 14th, 2017|Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof Repair, Flat Roof Systems, Flat Roofs By Pegram, Residential Roofing|0 Comments|

Flat Roof Maintenance IS Important To The Life OF Your Roof

If you have a flat roof and want it to maintain its value and to look its best, a regular flat roof maintenance program is essential. A regular schedule of roof assessment and maintenance will ensure that your roof will hold up to harsh environment exposure, particularly to winter snow and to the overall aging process.

1) Ponding on your roof
A flat roof is particularly vulnerable to “ponding.” Ponding occurs water accumulates in pools when the roof becomes saturated with water from rain or snow. If left undetected and not corrected, this condition can cause leaking and serious structural problems – even roof failure which could result in damage to the interior of your home.

2) Splitting in roof material
When inspecting your roof, look for splits or long cracks that, if present, will be visible parallel joints of your insulation. These will often appear spongy. These cracks are caused by poor workmanship, freeze-thaw conditions and surface stress.

3) Roof blistering
If the wrong bitumen is used on your roof, or if the roof is exposed to excessive heat, this could cause some, or all, of the felt layers on your roof to move.

4) Roof ridging
Ridging usually takes place in bituminous (built up) roofs in the insulation joints, due to moisture that condenses under the felt. These ridges may appear as long, narrow cracks and are typically the result of the roof membrane having been poorly attached.

5) Membrane Fasteners
If your roof is a fastened system, you should examine it for loose fasteners. The fasteners may become loose because they were not long enough or because of water saturation.

6) Felt Movement
If the wrong bitumen is used on your roof, or if the roof is exposed to excessive heat, this could cause some, or all, of the felt layers on your roof to move.

7) Snow Removal
If you live in an area where with heavy snow fall, you will want to be very careful that your flat roof doesn’t accumulate too much snow. This excessive snow could put your roof in danger of collapsing. If there is an accumulation of over 12 inches of snow, you should find a way to have the snow removed. But be aware that removing snow from a roof can be dangerous. Every year there are serious injuries to those who remove roof snow without adequate experience and equipment. Therefore, if possible, hire someone who has the proper equipment and expertise in roof snow removal.

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|March 6th, 2017|Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof Repair, Flat Roof Systems, Flat Roofs By Pegram, Residential Roofing|0 Comments|

Flat roof coverage in Tidewater/Hampton Roads

Flat Roofs by Pegram is able to repair or replace your flat roof depending on the best solution for your needs. We are the premier roofing contractor for residential, commercial and industrial flat roofs in Hampton Roads. We service Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, and more. We’ll work directly with your insurance company when needed. Call for free estimate (757) 537-1945.

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|September 20th, 2016|Flat Roof Systems|0 Comments|

What kind of Flat Roofs are there?

Homeowners can choose among different kinds of flat roofs, and some of them are :

Built-Up Roof (BUR)

The traditional hot-tar-and-gravel roof is built from three or more plies of waterproof material alternated with hot tar and ballasted by a layer of smooth river stone. Once made of tar paper, these types of roofs gradually are using more-advanced materials such as fiberglass membranes.

Pros: Gravel is an excellent fire retardant. Attractive for windows and decks that overlook the roof. It’s the cheapest of the four roof varieties.

Cons: Very heavy. Joists sometimes have to be strengthened. Smelly and messy to install. Installation’s not recommended for occupied homes. It’s not a DIY installation job, and it is hard to find the source of leaks. Gravel can clog gutters and scuppers.

Modified Bitumen
A single-ply rolled roof similar to ice-and-water shield, but impregnated with a mineral-based wear surface. Torch-down systems involve heating the adhesive as the material is unrolled. Newer peel-and-stick systems are safer and easier.

Pros: Peel-and-stick material can be installed by homeowners. Its light-colored mineral surface reflects heat and cuts energy bills. Its price is in the middle of the pack.

Cons: Torch-down application is a fire hazard, and not recommended for occupied buildings. It’s not as scuff- or tear-resistant as rubber-membrane roofs (see the next item).

Rubber Membrane
EPDM (short for ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a true rubber. The durable material resembles an inner tube, but it’s engineered to resist damage from sunlight. EPDM can be mechanically anchored with fasteners, ballasted with stone, or glued.

Pros: Homeowner-friendly installation. The material’s relatively light yet highly resistant to scuffs and tears. Leaks are easy to patch.

Cons: The standard black material absorbs heat, and light-colored coatings (recommended in warm climates) add 30% or more to the cost. Even the black version, though, costs more than BUR or modified bitumen. It’s also more vulnerable to punctures than other choices.

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|June 14th, 2016|Flat Roof Systems|0 Comments|

Flat Roof Leaks?

Do you have roof leaks? Have you seen brown spots on ceiling or walls? This is probably your flat roof leaking. Do you know what to look for on your roof ? There are several types of flat roofs. There is a rubber roof called E.P.D.M. (ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber) . Then there are Modified Bitumen roofs, Tar and Gravel roofs , PVC roofs. The best roof in our opinion is the newest TPO. roof systems. Unlike other roof system TPO is White ,Clean, and easy to repair.

Thank

By Flat Roofs by Pegram|May 25th, 2016|Flat Roof Systems|0 Comments|

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Let’s Talk About Flat Roofs

Let’s Talk About Flat Roofs

Flat roofs offer some interesting advantages over a traditional sloped roof. Although it’s typically viewed as an industrial or commercial building style, flat roofs have a place on residential structures as well. With some designs, the entire roof can be flat; with others a portion of the building can incorporate the horizontal/flat design. Whether it’s a residential or commercial roof, there are reasons good reason for choosing a flat roof including structure, practicality and aesthetics.

A flat roof provides easy access via ladder or steps which makes accessing the roof much safer. It doesn’t require special equipment or skill to simply walk on the roof. It does, however, still require expertise to inspect and conduct routine maintenance which any roof requires as your first defense against damage and repairs.

The flat access also makes your roof potentially an additional usable space. Your HVAC components can easily be placed on a flat roof to make use of traditional HVAC areas for storage or other purposes. Solar panels or even rainwater barrels can be used on top of the roof for eco-friendly purposes. With a bit of planning in a residential setting, it can even serve as a traditional deck for light gardening, sunbathing or simply spending time outdoors.

A flat roof is a practical choice for commercial buildings and can offer an interesting design for residential homes. Consider the available options with your next building project and contact us at Flat Roofs By Pegram to discuss your project.

Willie Pegram, Owner, (757) 537-1945