Keeping a flat roof in tip-top condition requires regular inspections, maintenance and repair work. Annual flat roof inspections should be the norm, but property owners often forget or overlook the necessity of a check-up.
Regular flat roof inspections can catch problems early, long before they develop into expensive repair jobs or cause structural damage. You can save money, extend the lifespan of your flat roof and be safe in the knowledge that it’s going to survive the next storm.
If you can’t remember the last time you had a flat roof inspection, then it’s time to call in the professionals. Here’s why you shouldn’t put off a flat roof inspection.
1. Identify Problems Early
Flat roofs can last for decades, but only if they’re properly maintained. Carrying out a flat roof inspection can help you to identify any maintenance issues early, and get them fixed before they become a problem.
Flat roofs can suffer from build-ups of debris and pooling water. While these are easy issues to fix, if left unattended simple problems can quickly escalate. Pooling water can cause a roof to leak, while masses of debris can cause it to sag.
What was initially a simple maintenance task, then turns into a structural problem that could easily have been avoided with a roof inspection.
2. Save Money
Flat roofs are increasingly popular because they are often cheaper to install and maintain in comparison to a traditional, pitched roof. If you’ve invested in a flat roof, then chances are high you’re looking to save on costs.
However, you can only continue saving money by keeping your investment regularly inspected and maintained. While a roof inspection service costs money, it’s much cheaper than having to repair the entire roof when a leak gets out of control.
Prevention is always preferable to a cure, as they say!
3. Keep Your Roof Watertight
Flat roofs need regular inspections to ensure they’re watertight and waterproof. Unlike pitched roofs, flat roofs need to disperse pooling water and they’re more prone to build-ups of water, especially during heavy rainstorms.
Most flat roofs are protected by a waterproof membrane, which helps to control the flow of water and stops water from leaking through into the building. An inspection checks that your waterproofing is still as watertight as it should be.
Inspections also check for any minor leaks, as well as blocked drains or gutters that can contribute to a less-than-watertight situation. Don’t wait for the roof to flood; get your flat roof inspected instead!
4. Stay Insured
If you’ve ever read the fine print of your roof or home insurance, then you’ll know how important it is to have regular inspections carried out. The vast majority of insurance companies require that a flat roof must be inspected annually in order for the insurance to be valid.
If there’s significant damage or a collapse during bad weather and you haven’t had a roof inspection, you could find that your insurance company is hesitant to pay out for any repairs.
5. Extend the Lifespan of Your Flat Roof
Flat roofs have the potential to last for decades, but not if they’re neglected. Ultimately, having a flat roof inspection helps to extend the lifespan of your flat roof.
Regular check-ups, visual inspections and thorough surveys by professionals help to keep your flat in top condition. This stops you from paying out for too many replacements in the future.
6. Health and Safety
Having a flat roof inspection isn’t just about the money; it’s also about health and safety. As a property owner, you need to know that your building or home is safe to live or work in, and you can’t know that if you don’t know the state of your roof.
Carrying out regular repairs and maintenance on the back of an inspection keeps your flat roof health and safety compliant, and stops anything dangerous from causing harm.
Prevention Is Always the Best Option
Remember, prevention is always the best option when it comes to flat roofs. Catch problems early, fix them quickly, and be safe in the knowledge that your flat roof can handle whatever the British weather throws at it!
Flat roof inspections carried out by seasoned professionals will identify potential issues and problems, giving you the opportunity to fix things up before they get out of hand. Save money, save time and keep the building safe and secure with a regular flat roof inspection.
