No doubt, sleet, ice, and snow make it quite difficult to have any roof work done during winter.
So, overall, the spring and summer months are the better seasons if you’re looking to repair your flat roof in Dallas.
In fact, spring and early summer will prove to be cost-effective for roof installation, repair or replacement.
This is because it’s a slower time of the year for most roofing companies. Hence, labor and material cost tend to be lower around this time.
Usually business picks up later in summer. At this time, you may have to wait for many weeks or even a month before you can hire a roofing contractor.
So why not beat the summer rush, and hire a local roofing company near you today?
Finding Roof Leaks and Minor Roof Repair for Flat Roofs
Flat roofs have a warranty of five to 20 years. If your roof is in warranty, then you can call the roofing contractor who installed the roof.
That said, you can also carry out minor roof repairs in Dallas based on the type of roof you have.
Let’s look at how to carry out roof repair for rubber and felt roof.
Repairing a flat roof is more complex than other types of roofs.
This is because flat roofs have different coverings. For instance, felt roofs are made up of layers of tar and roofing felt.
But prior to repairing the roof, first you need to find the cause of the leak.
How to Find a Roof Leak in Flat Roofs?
Finding the leak is difficult as it may not be at the place from where the water drips. Water can seep inside the roofing and travel through it until it finds a seam.
Look for worn spots, blisters and/or seam separations in the membrane.
The cause of leaks is mainly damaged roofing felt or low spots. Damage to the roofing felt is visible and the leak is usually below it.
If the membrane looks fine, then check the flashing, vent pipe boots, and caulk around the vents.
Once you’ve located the source of the leak,
here’s how to repair the roof.
1. Repairing a Felt Roof
To fix the leaky roof, first clear the roof of all the debris.
Then dry the surface with a rag or a mop. Check if you can find cracks in the felt or if the topmost layer is giving up.
Use a caulk gun to apply tar to the damaged areas and smoothen it with a putty knife.
Cover it with a mesh and a layer of gravel.
For blisters, cut through it as deep as the blister.
Dry the area with a propane torch and apply roof cement.
Cover the blister with 6d galvanized roofing nails.
Finally, ensure you also cover the nails with roof cement.
2. Repairing a Rubber Roof
The most crucial factor of rubber roof repair is the proper preparation of the repair area and selecting the appropriate roofing materials.
Failing to do so will damage your roof and reduce its life expectancy.
Avoid using the asphalt based coating or roof cement flashing for rubber roofs as they aren’t compatible with rubber.
To repair rubber roofs, scrub the repair area with a cloth rag and then wipe it clean. There should be no traces of moisture.
Cut the roof repair material such that it overlaps at least two inches on all sides of the patch.
Apply a thin coat of primer to the roof area where you have to put the patch.
Some patches have adhesive applied to the inner side of the membrane. If you are using such a patch, remove the paper from the patch, stick it to the repair area, and press it firmly.
You can use a steel roller to apply equal pressure on the patch and secure it. This will also remove any trapped air bubbles under the patch.
To prevent water from seeping inside the patch, apply EPDM lap sealant along the edge of the patch.
For materials that require a separate adhesive, you can use a single-ply EPDM adhesive. Apply adhesive to the patch as well as the area to be patched.
3. Carefully stick the patch to the roof.
Lastly, seal it with a steel roller and apply EPDM lap sealant along the edge.
Although these repairs may sound easy, they require proper tools and equipment. If not done right, then it can permanently damage your roof.
If you’re not confident, it’s always best to hire a roofing contractor in Dallas to tend to all your roof repair needs.
You can find an exhaustive list on Same Day Pros. Alternatively, you can also download the Same Day Pros app, available for Android and iOS, and hire a roofing contractor via your smartphone.
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