Flat roofs are very resistant, durable, easy to install, to maintain and to repair and they are also more affordable than pitched roofs because they require less material than sloping structures. However, any structure has its downside, too – when it comes to the weak point of flat roofing systems, it is water ponding. Fortunately, there are several great ways to ensure that your flat roof sheds water with maximum efficiency – here are some.

Pay Special Attention to the Drainage System

Every roof needs gutters and downspouts to drain the water that the roof comes into contact with during rainy or snowy periods. Having an efficient draining system is especially important for flat roofs – the flatter a structure, the more reduced its ability to drain on its own, so the gutters attached to your flat roof needs to be designed and installed correctly to ensure roof health.

Choosing the Right Roofing Materials

The materials that your roof is made from is also essential for ensuring proper roof performance. Seamless solutions, such as the roofs that use single-ply or modified bitumen and built-up roofs, use a contiguous surface that is less prone to developing leaks and other issues caused by prolonged contact with moisture.

Regular Roof Maintenance

Having your roof regularly maintained by professional Orlando commercial roofers is another way to ensure that the roof is safe from water damage. If performed twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, professional maintenance can ensure that any damage is revealed when still small – the process should involve cleaning for the roof surface and the gutters and detailed inspections to find problems. Any issue detected should be fixed right away.

Get the Roof Inspected after Each Storm

Strong storms can damage even the best-kept, strongest roof, so it is a good idea to get your flat roof inspected after each major storm. Getting a professional to handle the task for you is very important because minor storm damage can be hard to notice, but most forms of roof damage progress very quickly and can turn into a major roof fault almost overnight if they are not addressed in a timely manner.

Roof Coatings

Whatever material your flat roof is made from, you can further enhance its water-resistance with the help of waterproof coatings. These coating products are like thick paint and they are also applied like paint, with the help of brushes, rollers or spray cans. The coating then forms a contiguous, water-resistant layer that seals the roof surface in front of water and increases its durability. It is a good idea to use an UV-resistant coating as well – solar radiations can be harmful for any roof surface, making the topmost layer of your building more sensitive to leaks, but you can prevent all that harm with the right coating.

Roof coatings can provide adequate protection for your roof for up to a specific number of years, so you need to make sure that the coatings are reapplied at the intervals specified in the product manual.