The Importance of Regular Roof Inspections
The Importance of Regular Roof Inspections
Assessing your roof is a critical and necessary part of your maintenance. Regularly inspecting your flat rubber roof will help you to identify and address issues before they escalate into more serious, extensive and costly problems. By doing so, you can also improve your home’s energy efficiency, as improperly sealed or damaged roof areas can cause energy loss.
Why regular roof inspections are essential:
- Regular roof inspections extend the life of your roof. A well-maintained EPDM roof can last up to 50 years.
- This keeps your roof’s warranty valid. Particular manufacturers require frequent inspections, and failure to carry them out might void your warranty, leaving you fully responsible for any future repairs or replacements.
- By identifying any small problems early on, you can help prevent costly repairs and replacements later down the line.
Preventing water pooling
EPDM is installed on flat or low-sloped roofs, which are more prone to water pooling. Regularly inspecting your roof can prevent water from collecting in certain areas and identify drainage issues. Failure to spot and monitor water accumulation on your roof can lead to the degradation of the membrane, which can weaken the EPDM over time and reduce its effectiveness.
More worryingly, continuous water pressure will undoubtedly find its way through seams or minor punctures, allowing water into the structure and causing leaks and possibly structural damage in extreme cases.
Staying on top of debris build-up
With flat roofs, debris buildup is quite common. Leaves, branches, and dirt can easily accumulate and cause several more serious issues if not regularly cleaned. For example, debris buildup can block drainage systems like gutters, causing water to back up. Plus, any organic matter that remains on the roof for too long can encourage moss or algae growth, which traps moisture and contributes further to the roof’s deterioration.
More worryingly, debris, such as broken branches, can puncture the membrane. By inspecting and removing any debris regularly, you can easily prevent any issues from becoming a real problem and prevent any damage to the membrane.
What to bear in mind when inspecting your roof
EPDM, whilst long-lasting, is susceptible to wear and tear over time. During your regular inspections, keep an eye out for:
- Cracks and punctures (caused by the weather, falling objects, thermal expansion and contraction).
- Loose or exposed seams (can cause leaks if not repaired quickly)
- UV damage (caused by excessive sunlight that can break the membrane)
