Flat roofs, renowned for their style and modern look, can accomplish lots of things that you have on your bucket list for your home. However, they also have an infamous reputation for cracks, leaks and even collapse. Although not common, as a rule, the slight slope of flat roofs can make them more susceptible to problems, especially when it comes into contact with elements. Extremely heavy snowfall, excessive rain, and ice that has accumulated present additional challenges to flat-roofed houses.

As opposed to pitched roofs, low-slope homes don't enjoy the advantage of gravity acting in their favor to eliminate precipitation from the roof. Flat-roofed homes require efficient drainage systems and sturdy building designs to avoid damage and leaks. Here, we will provide you with the various ways winter weather can impact the flat roof of your home and how you can stop issues down the road.

Your Installer Should Have Ample Experience With Flat Roofs

Since flat roofs require specific techniques and materials, the roofer you select to do your job must have a lengthy list of previous work for flat roofing. In particular, a person who hasn't had a lot of knowledge about flat roofs might not know how you apply sealants that are waterproof. The result often is tiny holes within the seal. These, though small, can cause significant damage.

In reality, most times when flat roofing begins to leak, the cause of the issue is one of the tiny puncture lines. A professional who is familiar with their trade will help you avoid this headache, which is great news for those who live in a humid or snowy area.

Leaves Can Block Gutters, Resulting in Pooling Water on Your Roof

Every house relies upon its rain gutters. They assist with the removal of snow and rain from the roof by directing it away from your siding and roof. However, in flat-roofed houses, they're even more crucial.

When your drainage systems aren't operating well, it may cause water to accumulate at the roof's top. This can be a problem due to several reasons. One is that it increases the risk of leaks. An additional reason is that it increases the weight of roofing surfaces, and water isn't lightweight.

Also, standing water could cause damage to the membrane of your roof and cause you to make repairs or replace your entire roof more often.

This issue can be solved with a bit of prevention. The only thing you have to do is keep up with your gutters. Make sure to clean your gutters as well as get scuppers removed using a trowel and the hose every two weeks, at minimum a year, or more often in the event of severe storms.

You can also clean your roof clean using the help of a broom. This keeps your drains clean and clear while keeping your house looking better and also more attractive!

High Winds Also Make Problems for Flat-Roofed Houses

For flat-roofed homes, wind is another issue. If the builder does not take appropriate precautions, wind lifts could occur, and you'll find that the roofing of your house is lifted off of its mechanical anchors.

It is usually the case when the roofer employs the wrong type of screw or nail to hold the roof material. Sometimes roofers will only apply staples, which isn't suitable for any reason. If you're planning to replace your flat roof and you're in an area that experiences high storms, make sure to ask the contractor how they will prevent the roof from lifting.

Ice Dams Can Be Created When Flat Roof Houses Are Not Properly Insulated

In the majority of flat-roof homes, heated areas are directly under the roof without any buffer from the attic, which is unheated. This can lead to issues with frozen dams. They form as heat transfer from a house's interior melts snow on the roof. The snow will then refreeze when it travels to the outside of the roof's surface in areas that are cooler.