Your Commercial Flat Roof Problems Solved: Insights from a Commercial Roofing and Tuckpointing Contractor in Wicker Park
Flat or low-sloped roofing can be found on many commercial and industrial buildings in Wicker Park, Chicago. Flat roofs are affordable, quick and easy to install, have fewer repair complications, and increase the amount of usable outdoor space. However, flat roofs are far from perfect — they have a few shortcomings of their own. So, what can you do to identify potential problems with your commercial flat roofing system?
How to detect flat roof problems?
Though water spots are a clear sign of damage to the roof, many other roofing problems and their causes can go undetected by the untrained eye. At Expert Super Seal Roofing & Tuckpointing, we are here to help you identify the signs that your flat roof is not performing as well as it should.
Leaks on flat roofs are notoriously difficult to trace back to their source. This means that many commercial building owners and managers find it virtually impossible to pinpoint the leak source, which inevitably leads to recurring water damage.
A professional flat roof installation followed by regular roof inspections from a qualified and reputable Wicker Park roofing contractor, gets you one step closer to permanently resolving your roof leakage problem. Some of the common culprits of leaks on a flat roof include:
- Pooling water
- Poor drainage
- Flashing and membrane problems
- Cracks or gaps in the roof covering or at the joints and corners of chimneys and ventilation points
- Age of the roof
What happens next?
Following a thorough roof inspection and based on the extent of the damage, your Wicker Park commercial roofing contractor may opt for a patch repair or a full replacement.
Patch repairs are an ideal choice for fixing leaks and damaged or worn flat roof coverings because they can be done in less time and for less money. However, if the extent of the damage goes below the flat roof covering and into the subsequent layers of your roof, a complete replacement may be needed before causing serious damage to the boards of your ceiling.
In the case of a complete replacement, your roof deck and the waterproof membrane will be stripped off, and then the roof will be re-covered with a felt or metal sheet coating, which can last about 15 to 20 years if properly maintained.
Types of flat roof coverings
If you do decide to go for a brand-new flat roof installation in Wicker Park you can choose between two types of flat roof coverings: built-up and single ply.
A built-up system (also known as a “tar and gravel” roof) consists of alternating layers of asphalt or tar with various modifiers to produce a hybrid sheet that can be placed directly on the roof. Single ply membranes are sheets of rubber and other synthetic materials that can be fitted loosely or fixed directly to the roof deck. There are three main types of single ply membrane commercial roofing: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
Both built-up and single ply flat roofs have their advantages and disadvantages. This is why it’s a good idea to consult with a professional Chicago roofing contractor to decide which is best for your Wicker Park building and budget.
Looking for Professional Commercial Roofer in Wicker Park?
Whether you’re looking for an installation, maintenance, or repair contractor for your flat roof in Wicker Park you can rely on the professionals at Expert Super Seal Roofing & Tuckpointing. For nearly half a century, we have been providing property owners throughout the Chicago area with high-quality commercial roofing solutions.
We can be reached at (773) 993-5668 or (773) 280-8000, or you can contact us online to request a free roofing estimate. We are also available by phone 24/7 for emergency repair services.
