Preparing Your Flat Roof for the Monsoon Season

Roofing Services

May 30, 2023

Flat roofs are ideal for Tucson’s hot and dry climate. Flat roofs help keep the temperature down during our hottest month. This type of roof is popular among homeowners because it is durable, inexpensive to install, and easy to maintain.

Flat roofs are not actually flat. They have a low slope of 10 degrees or less for water drainage especially needed during Tucson’s monsoon seasons. While flat roofs are easy to maintain, they do require higher maintenance than other roofs. Flat roofs typically have a white elastomeric coating that helps keep your roof waterproof and prevents leaks. The elastomeric coating needs to be reapplied every 5 to 7 years. Can you remember when you last had your flat roof recoated?

Your roof is your first line of defense to protect your family and your property, so act now to take the necessary precautions before the monsoon season. Monsoon season runs June through September, and this is the perfect time to get your flat roof ready before the monsoons.

While the rain brings a welcome break from the summer heat, the monsoons can prove disastrous for the ill-prepared. Better to handle potential problem areas now while it’s dry enough to have necessary maintenance done. Once the monsoon season is in full swing, it can be difficult to get a professional roofer to come out just to inspect your roof for potential leaks or damage. And even if you can get someone out for an inspection, it could be weeks until they can come back and do maintenance.

Professional vs. DIY

Don’t take roofing lightly. Doing your roof yourself is a safety hazard. In addition to the danger of falling, you risk damaging your home. We recommend using an experienced roofing professional for all roofing projects, no matter if the job is small or large.

Flat Roof Inspection

When it rains, water will pool on a flat surface. This causes damage over time. To keep your flat roof in good condition, it is important to schedule regular inspections for your flat roof to ensure its watertight condition and its longevity.

Residential flat roofs should be inspected at least once a year, while commercial flat roofs may need to be inspected more often depending on the size and complexity of the roof. Inspections help you catch any potential issues before they become major problems, which will save you money on larger water damage repairs down the road.

What Commercial Cleaning and Restoration Looks for in a Flat Roof Inspection

Here are some of the most important issues we look for during an inspection:

Debris on the roof
Cracks or other damage
Clogged scuppers and gutters
Signs of past leaks, water damage, or ponding
Texture of your flat roof – if your texture looks like popcorn, then the surface is deteriorating
Irregularities like blisters, holes, cracks or peeling
Roof transitions where your flat roof joins pipes or vents.

Flat Roof Maintenance and Small Repairs

The most important part of maintaining a flat roof is preventative maintenance. After the inspection, repairs can be enacted preventing more costly repairs down the road. Homeowners Insurance often will cover storm damage but only if there is proof that the roof had been properly maintained before the damage. Areas that have already experienced leaks or other damage should be repaired before the monsoons.

Here are some of the most common maintenance tasks and repairs needed for a flat roof:

Removal of any debris like leaves and branches from the roof and gutters.
Scrape loose and flaking material
Repair stucco cracks
Seal openings by caulking cracks and gaps around parapets, skylights, and scuppers
Add new elastomeric roof coating

Monsoon Storm Damage to Flat Roofs

If your flat roof isn’t being regularly cleaned and maintained, then that lack of maintenance will be evident during the monsoon season in Arizona. The issues that should have been repaired may allow the excess water to leak through the roofing material. If the roof drains get clogged, this could create pooling on the roof. When water is allowed to pond on a flat roof, it could cause structural damage due to the weight of the water.

Interesting facts about Monsoons…

Arizona receives 31.5% of its total annual rainfall during a monsoon – that is a lot of rain in a short time.
There are nearly 500,000 lightning strikes during a monsoon.
High winds and hailstorms can be part of a monsoon storm.

When you are dealing with water damage, it is vital to take action immediately. Emergency roof tarping is important to stop the leak before it can cause additional damage. The sooner you notice the leak, the less work we have to do to fix your roof and the interior of your home.

Read More about 6 Immediate Steps to Handle Emergency Water Damage … https://gotwetwedry.com/our-services/water-damage/

Flat Roof Maintenance vs Replacement

Can your flat roof be repaired or does it need to be replaced? In many cases, a flat roof can be repaired rather than replaced. The decision to repair or replace your roof will depend on the extent of the damage, the age of the roof, and the cost of repairs versus replacement.

Conclusion

Though it doesn’t rain frequently in Tucson, the monsoon season can reveal unnoticed or neglected leaks in your flat roof. With regular flat roof maintenance, you can spot damaged areas on your roof before they become major problems.

Whether your roof leaks are big or small, Commercial Cleaning & Restoration is available 24/7 to handle the situation so you don’t have to. Our experienced technicians will respond quickly, armed with the equipment and knowledge necessary to restore your property quickly, reducing your total loss and ensuring you can get back to normal as soon as possible. Here are some of the reasons why Commercial Cleaning & Restoration is the best choice for your roof inspections or emergency roof repairs and leaks: