Is a Flat Roof High Maintenance?

Most Baton Rouge homes have traditional roofs for a reason. Flat roofs require more maintenance to keep them functioning properly but may also offer unique advantages that traditional ones can't. 

For example, many people enjoy how flat roofs can make their houses look more modern. Additionally, a flat roof can offer extra outdoor space for homeowners to unwind.

Perhaps you're considering a flat roof but would like to know more about how to take care of it. Here are the main things you need to know about flat roof maintenance.

1. Keeping It Clean

One of the most challenging struggles for this type of roofing system is keeping it clean.

Because the roof isn't sloped, leaves and other items can easily pile up. To avoid excessive amounts of debris weighing down and cluttering your rooftop, you'll need to clean it regularly.

You can clean it yourself, or you can hire roofing companies in Baton Rouge that provide roof cleaning services.

Not cleaning your roof can lead to expensive repairs, so it's much more cost-effective to budget for your roof cleaning.

2. Avoiding Leaks

Traditional roofs are sloped, making it much easier for rain and snow to slide off of them.

On the other hand, flat roofs make it more difficult for rain and snow to slide off of them. Most use drainage systems to help keep the precipitation from piling up and causing leaks.

Because the drainage system is vital to keeping your rooftop dry, you must ensure that it remains clear and does not clog. Additionally, you'll need to ensure that it doesn't get damaged to keep it functioning properly.

If your drainage system does fail due to damage, you should immediately contact a roof contractor in Baton Rouge, LA, to avoid unnecessary damage to your roofing system.

3. Handling Inclement Weather

Storms can damage any roof, but flat roofs are especially vulnerable. While you can stormproof your house to minimize damage, it's possible to face more than you anticipated.

When fallen tree limbs and too much rain put weight and pressure on your rooftop, it could become severely damaged. After this happens, you must get a Baton Rouge roofing company to come out and inspect it. 

Roofing contractors in Louisiana will be able to find obvious and hidden problems caused by the storm. Never try to look for the damage yourself by going up on the rooftop after a storm. It's dangerous because you won't know if the surface is stable enough to support your weight.

Instead, leave it to the professionals with the knowledge and equipment for the job. Once they find the issues, they can recommend the best course of action to take for your roof repair in Baton Rouge.

Conclusion

Use the above maintenance tips to help you if you should decide to install a flat roofing system.

For the most part, keeping debris off the rooftop and regularly checking for leaks and drainage issues are the main things you will need to do to keep it functioning properly.

While flat roofs are a bit more work to maintain, they provide benefits that traditional ones may not.