The Ultimate Guide to Flat Roof Restoration: Save Money and Extend Your Roof's Life

Flat roofs are a popular choice for many commercial and residential buildings, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, including Kitchener, Waterloo, and Brantford. While they offer several advantages, such as ease of installation and maintenance, they can also be prone to wear and tear over time.

Flat roof restoration is a vital process that can save you money and significantly extend the lifespan of your roof. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of flat roof restoration, including its benefits, common issues, and the steps involved in the restoration process.

Benefits of Flat Roof Restoration

Restoring your flat roof can provide numerous benefits, including the following:

• Cost-Effective: Restoration is often less expensive than a complete roof replacement. By addressing issues early, you can avoid costly repairs down the line.

• Extended Lifespan: When provided by knowledgeable professionals, restoration services can significantly extend the lifespan of your flat roof.

• Improved Energy Efficiency: Many restoration processes involve applying reflective coatings, which can reduce energy costs by keeping your building cooler in the summer.

• Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Restoring your flat roof can improve the overall appearance of your property, making it more attractive to potential clients or buyers.

Common Issues with Flat Roofs

Flat roofs can encounter various problems over time. Recognizing these issues early on can help you decide when to restore rather than replace. Some common issues include the following:

• Ponding Water: Flat roofs are designed to drain, but if there are any obstructions or poor drainage, water can pool, leading to leaks and structural damage. Water that doesn’t drain freezes, expands, and can lift or delaminate membranes (EPDM, TPO, PVC, built-up B.U.R, Modified Bitumen), create blisters, or cause microcracks. Ice within seams or around fasteners can pry apart seals, cause ridges, splits, or punctures.

• Cracks and Blisters: Weather fluctuations can cause roofing materials to crack and blisters to form, trapped air/ moisture under the membrane causing raised areas, which in turn can compromise the roof's integrity.

• Membrane Damage: The protective membrane of a flat roof can deteriorate due to UV exposure and harsh climate, foot traffic, hail, machinery, or debris, seam failures, poor adhesion, movement and weathering can cause seams to peel or open causing leaks and further damage.

The Flat Roof Restoration Process

Restoring your flat roof typically involves several key steps:

1. Inspection: A thorough inspections throughout the entire existing roofing system with thermal scans and core samples, steel coping and flashings are a few crucial points to identify any underlying issues that need to be addressed before the restoration process begins.

2. Cleaning: The roof surface must be cleaned to remove debris, dirt, and any old coatings that may hinder the adhesion of new materials.

3. Membranes: EPDM, TPO, PVC, B.U.R/ Tar & Gravel, Modified Bitumen, concrete, metal decks and ballasted roofs. If the substrate is sound, clean, and properly prepared with proper surface prep, primers, and sealers. Substrates need remediation first in order for coatings and liners to act as a seamless layer over a proper primer system.

4. Repairs: Any identified issues, such as trapped moisture and damage, cracks or blisters and more, should be repaired to ensure a solid foundation for the new coating or flat roof liner.

5. Coating Application: A high-quality reflective coating or liner like Polyurea is applied to protect the roof from UV rays, waterproof and enhance its durability.

Why Choose Rubber It Roofing & Protective Coatings Inc.

If you're considering flat roof restoration in the GTA, including Kitchener, Waterloo, and Brantford, look no further than Rubber It Roofing & Protective Coatings Inc. Our experienced team specializes in flat roof restoration, using top-notch materials and techniques to ensure your roof is protected for years to come. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service and tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.

Don’t wait until it is too late! Contact Rubber It Roofing & Protective Coatings Inc. today for a free consultation and let us help you restore your flat roof.