Commercial Duro-Last Flat Roof Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair

Apex Construction was hired to inspect and repair this commercial flat roof in Ocean City, MD. Multiple areas of concern were identified and repaired to prevent the roof from leaking. Designed for Industrial and Commercial flat roof applications, Duro-Last and Sarnafil systems are at the top of their class in the roofing industry.  Apex Construction is a certified Duro-Last and Sarnafil Flat Roofing Contractor. Contact us today for a flat roof maintenance contract quote, repairs, or a complete removal and installation estimate.

Roofs are constantly under attack by weather, structural movement, and stresses as well as chemicals present in the atmosphere.  While normal aging will occur on all roofs, small problems stemming from neglect, abuse, contamination, error or accident can result in costly repairs or premature failure of the roofing system, if not detected.  A regular program of inspection and repairs will help detect minor problems before they become serious, avoiding interruptions of the internal functions within the building, and most importantly, protecting the owner's investment by adding years to the life of the roof.

A maintenance program with Apex Construction has two areas of responsibility.

SCHEDULING ROOF INSPECTIONS.  At least two inspections should be made every year.  Ideally, inspections should take place in the spring to check on damage that may have occurred in the winter, so repairs can be scheduled during the fair weather, summer months.  The second inspection should be in the fall to be sure that the roof is in good condition for the upcoming winter months.  Inspection should also be made after any other occurrences that might affect the roof.  (Example: storms, construction activities, fires, etc.)

CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS.  All components of the roofing system should be closely inspected and a record made of any signs of deterioration, unusual traffic patterns, poor drainage, accumulated debris, displacement or loss of ballast, or other conditions.

Ocean City Condo Flat Roof Repairs

Apex Construction is increasing the fall of this Ocean City condo’s flat roof to improve the drainage of rainwater. The home owner’s association is being proactive in this preventative maintenance approach. Although there are currently no leaks or damage, the amount of ponding and silt accumulation would certainly lead to troubles in the near future if left untouched.  

A correctly built flat roof will drain the rainwater quickly and effectively into the gutters without allowing water to collect in depressions and ‘pond’ on the surface of the roof. Ponding leads to the build-up of silt deposits on the roof and stresses in the membrane when the water freezes (a small amount of ponding is inevitable and it should not reduce the performance of the roof covering).

Ponding will be reduced by ensuring the roof is provided with a decent fall (or pitch) allowing the rainwater to be drained effectively towards the outlets and gutters at the edge of the roof.

Design Falls

When specifying a fall for a flat roof, the designer should take account of:

• Any potential deflection of the structural members and decking under dead and imposed loads (a particular problem with timber and metal deck roofs).

• Possible inaccuracies in construction.

•  Type of weatherproofing material used.

Because the desired fall may be difficult to achieve in practice, the roofing contractor may need to adopt a design fall considerably steeper (often twice) than the recommended finished fall. The building regulations encourage a minimum fall of 1:40.

A proactive preventative maintenance approach will save you money, time, and headache in the future. Contact Apex Construction if you have concerns that your roof is not performing as it should. We are certified by many national roofing brands and employ skilled professionals who specialize in residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural roofing applications. Contact us today for more information.