Jumat, 09 April 2010

Five Signs of Good Flat Roof Contractor


Adverse weathers and poor maintenance may cause a few flat roof problems. After you have assessed the extent of damages properly, it is possible to quickly take the whole situation into you hand by performing a DIY repair or asking the help of a trusted expert to have the flat roof restored to its original condition.
Flat roof are those with a simple horizontal or near-horizontal design. Many house designers choose to use flat roof because it can optimize the space usage below and above the roof. However, over the years, flat roof need regular maintenance or you may end up replacing the whole roof after an especially torrential raining season.
Unless you have a simple house design, in some houses getting to the roof to check the condition of your flat roof can be a risky undertaking. If you can get to the roof by simply using a ladder, ask a contractor to make a periodical check-up of your flat roof before the raining season. Many good flat roof contractors can be found in websites, but you may also ask your friends or relatives for a dependable one. However, finding a contractor online may save your precious time and money.
Unfortunately, there is no way to determine the cost of flat roof repair accurately as it is influenced heavily by the roof condition and material used. With the help of a professional contractor you should be able to predict the cost more accurately.
When choosing a flat roof contractor, you should be sure of the following facts

1. Make sure your contractor is approved by the local construction agency
2. Make sure the contractor has a proven work quality
3. Make sure the contractor understand your requirements
4. Make sure the contractor can give good solutions on your roofing problem
5. Make sure the contractor can agree on the time limit

When talking to a contractor for the first time, make sure you ask all the details beforehand. A good contractor should not only be able to solve your current problems but also can suggest any improvements, which will ensure minimal maintenance and less possibility for future damages.

How to Repair Flat Roof with Damaged Felt?


Most flat roofs are constructed from tar and layers of roofing felt, while other types are made entirely of concrete. You may find leaks on specific spots, usually in low spots or areas with damaged felt. Unlike other roofing types, damages on the flat roof are very easy to detect. If you found the damages, it would be simple to immediately assess it. The first thing to do is to mop up or remove pooled water around the damaged areas, allow the spot to completely dry as the humidity may seep deep inside the roofing construction.
In more serious cases, you’ll see some blisters around the damaged areas, use a large knife to slice those blisters and let any excess water to get drained. When the sun doesn’t shine brightly, get a fan to remove humidity around the area. If you are forced to repair the damages during winter where the water seems to refuse to drain, you may need to use propane torch to heat up the surrounding. Don’t subject the felt to open flame directly as you may create further damages and the tar can be quite flammable when heated too long.
If you believe that the felt is dried sufficiently, apply a good amount of cement on the edges of the damaged or loose felt, the next step is to firmly press the blisters sides down. To finish the job, the blisters can be closed with roofing nails. Re-apply roofing cement on the whole area. In general, the durability of your flat roof is determined by the geographical location, maintenance and material quality. If you think that the scope of the repair job is beyond your capability, contact a skilled professional to do it for you.