3 Questions About Flat Roofing On Commercial Buildings in Phoenix AZ

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3 Questions About Flat Roofing On Commercial Buildings in Phoenix AZ

Anyone who owns a commercial building with a flat roof in Phoenix knows that it’s usually harder to manage other conventional kinds of roofs. Although it might have been more straightforward to construct, it needs a lot more inspections and maintenance work to preserve it and ensure that everything is in proper working order.

One of the most difficult parts about flat roofing is identifying when it needs to be repaired or replaced. We’ve compiled a few of the most common issues that happen in flat roofs and if you can still fix them.

Alligatoring

A sure sign that flat roofing should be replaced is when a phenomenon called alligatoring happens. This occurs when the asphalt included with your flat roof installation has lost its elasticity due to aging. It will then bubble and crack—looking as if it was taken right off the top of an alligator. This is the clearest indication that your commercial flat roof has degenerated past the point of repair.

Leaks and Moisture

Leaks and lingering moisture are a couple of the most popular problems with flat roofing. These both can be handled effectively as long as they’re dealt with ahead of time. As with every type of roof, a flat one is going to develop leaks. Since it’s flat, the water won’t have anywhere else to travel other than straight down. That moisture can drop down onto the roof itself and create other issues that can cause fungus and mold. Your best approach to dealing with this is by ensuring that your roof is regularly inspected and maintained each time you spot a problem area.

Buckle in Membrane

The majority of commercial flat roofs are made in almost the same way as shingled roofs. We say this because they’re made from a membrane immersed in asphalt before they’re laid over the top of the roof. The difference is in how the membrane of a flat roof is all one piece, rather than broken up like shingled roofs.

This points to the fact that in time, your roof will shift and settle in accordance with your building. Unnecessary movement can produce buckles in your asphalt membrane—signaling the end of a flat roof’s lifespan. A roof that’s buckling isn’t a good idea to be under and can lead to even larger issues over time.

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Marv Hounjet

August 10, 2022.

Very responsive. Arrived as plan ned; great with a follow up service call.

Susan Cruden

June 7, 2022.

In 2004 Foam Experts installed a new foam roof on our 2 story townhouse. The whole process was easy and informative. They came out periodically, for free, to check the roof’s condition and do any necessary minor repairs. In 2014 and again in May 2022 we had them recoat the surface after a complete inspection. We have never had any leaks or issues with our roof. We love working with Todd and Marianne and really appreciate their excellent customer service and top notch quality of work.

Rick Fonseca

June 7, 2022.

Margo Rivera Wilson

June 2, 2022.

Flat roof needed to be sealed.

Hank Unck

October 15, 2019.

It was a pleasure working with this company, from first contact for inspection and a quote, to our finished foam roof project. Their crew and crew leader were courteous, professional and friendly, and cleaned up so thoroughly each day, it was as if they had not even been there. Of course, no homeowner really knows how well the job was done until the next rainfall. The ultimate test was passed with an A+ when, a couple of weeks later, rain came down hard in torrents on two different days. I highly recommend Foam Experts Roofing, Inc.