Flat roofs are a popular choice for commercial and industrial buildings for various reasons, including their budget-friendly cost in comparison with other commercial roof types and the fact that they essentially provide an extra floor of usable space for housing storage facilities, HVAC systems and more. Flat roofs are also easier to access than pitched roofs when repairs need to be made, gutters need to cleaned, solar panels need to be installed, etc.
In addition to their benefits, flat roofs also come with a common set of problems that can develop over time, requiring flat roof solutions to be administered by a professional roofing contractor.
Common Flat Roof Problems
Just as any roof will, a flat roof will eventually develop problems that need the attention of a professional roofing contractor. Drainage is a common issue with flat roofs, for instance, as they do not drain as efficiently as pitched roofs do. This can lead to the problem of standing water remaining on a roof for longer periods of time, which can contribute to the accelerated breakdown of roofing materials and eventually lead to leaks, particularly along the roof’s seams and protrusions. If standing water is remaining on your flat roof for more than 48 hours following a rainstorm, you need to schedule a flat roof repair right away. You should also call in a professional roofing contractor if you notice cracks, blistering, tears or damaged flashings.
Various catalysts can cause flat roof problems, including:
- Pooling water
- Storm damage
- Improper previous repairs
- UV damage
- Aging
- Straight-line winds
- Excessive weathering
- Building movement
- Loose membrane bonds
Flat Roof Solutions
When your flat roof develops problems, it is important to call on an experienced professional to address the issues using high-quality roofing products. When it comes to your roof, there are no cheap band-aids that last long term—it’s important to have the job done right the first time. Hiring an inexperienced person to do shortcut work on your roof can actually lead to much bigger problems down the road.
Time and time again, the experts belonging to the Choice Roof Contractor Group encounter roof damage that is the direct result of previous repairs that were not done properly and were not done to code. Your roof is a significant financial investment and a crucial component of your commercial building. As such, it needs to be safeguarded and properly maintained by experts who know what they’re doing.
When roofing work needs to be performed, you can always find a well-trained contractor among our endorsed group members. We are a nationwide association of trusted roofing contractors, and our members use top-quality Conklin roofing products on commercial jobs for the simple reason that Conklin products are the best in the industry.
Conklin offers various products that are specifically tailored to address common flat roof problems, such as:
- Kwik Kaulk: This premium latex caulking compound is ideally suited for filling holes and cracks around the joints, flashings and fasteners of a roof prior to the application of a Conklin Roof Coating System. Kwik Kaulk’s unique formula is designed to seal any leak-prone areas, remains flexible and cures to a durable finish. Kwik Kaulk can also be tinted to coordinate with a building’s paint.
- 360-S: Conklin’s 360-S urethane sealant is a single-component, moisture-curing elastomeric urethane sealant that is ideal for expansion and control joints. 360-S offers superior adhesion for many surfaces and cures to a robust, long-lasting finish.
Conklin roofing products are designed to stand up against Mother Nature’s harshest offerings, including extreme temperatures, intense UV rays, rain, wind and hail. When full roof replacement or restoration is needed, there is a full catalog of Conklin roofing products.
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Our group works together to provide:
- Larger Base of Knowledge
- Group-Wide Accountability
- One Source for All Projects
- Set Standards for Service
- More Peace of Mind
When you work with a professional Choice Roof Contractor, you’re not just partnering with that contractor. You’re utilizing a database of knowledge from contractors around the country, providing valuable resources for business owners and property managers.
When you are ready for a free estimate, inspection or more information, give one of our knowledgeable members a call today at (800) 670-5583. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you find the best options for your commercial roofing needs! You won’t be disappointed with a Choice Roof Contractor on your side.
The following are some common contributors to metal roof problems that necessitate the immediate services of a knowledgeable roofing contractor:
Let’s face it—most people aren’t professional interviewers, and they aren’t professional contractor recruiters, either. So it may seem intimidating to choose a roofing professional to attend to your commercial building. But it absolutely, unequivocally matters whom you select to repair your roof—and the research you do before hiring a contractor matters a lot.
When you’re in need of commercial roof services, do you feel confident hiring a contractor? Many commercial building owners don’t, so if you feel at a loss when it comes time to engage a roofing professional, just know you’re not alone.
Hiring the wrong contractor can mean much more than shoddy workmanship—it can mean legal battles, the need to bring in other contractors, and ongoing roof repair expenses in the coming years to address the problems resulting from the initial poor workmanship.
Whether you’re a veteran roofing contractor or a new hand looking to break into the business, it can be difficult to find the right fit as you search among commercial roofing companies hiring new recruits. As with any job market, the available positions can be few while the applicants are plentiful. Also, keep in mind that there are many different kinds of commercial roofing skills for different systems. As you venture forth in search of the right job with the right company, keep some of these tips in mind to bolster your efforts.
When you’re job searching, the last thing you want to be is passive. Turn passivity into proactivity and make sure you stand out from the other applicants who are vying for the same jobs as you. For instance, don’t just mail in your resume—hand-deliver it to the companies you’re interested in, and, while you’re there, ask to meet with the hiring manager. Make the most of every opportunity to leave potential employers with a positive impression of who you are and what you could offer them as an employee.
The Internet has greatly changed the world of marketing, but there’s still much to be said for direct mail advertising rather than merely sending out literature. Research has indicated that direct mail can more effectively connect contractors with potential customers and prompt a higher response rate than many other forms of advertisement.
Search engine optimization (more commonly known as “SEO”) is key for driving traffic to your website and getting your message in front of the right potential clients when they need service most.
Yes, door knocking works in commercial and it definitely deserves to be on this list. It doesn’t cost much more than your time and can work extremely well when done right. With the right approach, literature, clothing (hint: NOT dress pants and a button-down shirt), and smile you can walk plenty of roofs.
Belonging to a reputable nationwide contractors association like the Choice Roof Contractor Group will also greatly help you get quality sales leads.
If you’re looking for help to generate and close commercial roofing leads, the experts at Choice Roof Contractor Group are here to help you! Becoming an endorsed member includes many valuable advantages, such as:
A warranty can sound great coming from the lips of a good salesman, and it’s easy to be lured into choosing one company or product over another because of long-term warranty claims. However, when you examine the fine print, you’ll find that, far more often than not, a warranty is crafted to protect the company, not the consumer.
Companies like to seduce consumers with flashy promises like “lifetime warranty” or “30-year warranty.” That language makes it sound like your roofing product is going to be guaranteed for a lifetime or for 40+ years, respectively—but is that really what it means?
Another thing to watch for in a warranty is whether it’s prorated or non-prorated.
Far too many roofing products are warrantied for much longer than they have existed. Be wary of a product that has only been on the market for two years, for example, but promises a 30-year warranty (even if the manufacturer has been around for decades). When you compare the results of a product being tested in a laboratory and a product being tried and proven on actual roofs, there is no comparison.
It is also crucial to check out consumer reviews for both the roofing systems and roofing contractors you’re considering. These days, the Internet is jam-packed with reviews that are easy to access, and they enable would-be consumers to learn from what others have already experienced with a certain product or contractor. It is simply unwise to blindly purchase a product or enter into a work agreement without digging into some background information first.
Some companies’ standards are also not up to par with the standards of other companies. Many roofing product manufacturers hold only brief, and certainly not intensive, training workshops before setting contractors loose on the world with their manufacturer’s stamp of approval. Reputable companies, on the other hand, hold in-depth, hands-on trainings for contractors that last three days to ensure those installing the company’s roofing products are knowledgeable and will install the products correctly.
The phrase “there is safety in numbers” has definite application to the world of commercial roofing. When you choose a private contractor, it can be a little bit like playing Russian roulette—you just never know if you’re going to get quality workmanship or reliable products. In contrast, when you hire a contractor who belongs to a nationwide association, there are myriad benefits and reassurances, such as the availability of a national pool of experts, group accountability, set service standards and a long track record of dependability.
Built up roofing is currently the most commonly used type of flat roof. BUR systems typically consist of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics that form a finished membrane. This bitumen is generally asphalt, coal tar or cold-applied adhesive. The surfacings used for BUR systems include aggregate, such as gravel, mineral granules or slag; glass-fiber or mineral surfaced cap sheets; or hot asphalt mopped over the whole surface. The most commonly used type of flat roof is asphalt BUR, which is composed of multiple layers of reinforcing plies and asphalt, which forms a redundancy of waterproofing layers.
Single-ply membranes are sheet membranes that are manufactured in factories and are typically classified as thermoset (EDPM) or thermoplastic (TPO or PVC), the key difference being that thermoset materials are irreversibly solidified after heating, and thermoplastic materials can be softened and hardened repeatedly when heated and cooled.
Polymer-modified membranes are made up of reinforcing fabrics, which act as carriers for hot polymer-modified bitumen as it is made into a roll material. Like BUR membranes, modified bitumen roof system membranes are made up of multiple layers. They are usually installed as a two-ply system and are almost always fully adhered. The surfacings of these membranes include aggregate surfacing, metal foil-laminate surfacing, mineral surfacing and smooth liquid-applied surfacing.
For servicing commercial flat roofs, the members of Choice Roof Contractor Group prefer high-quality Conklin roof coating systems and have since day one.
Along the same lines, there are risks and disadvantages when you’re working with an independent local contractor without association, including reduced accountability, a lack of dependable guarantees, and limited access to expertise. Many of the local options available to building owners are residential-focused contractors who only occasionally do commercial jobs and don’t have the experience needed for all the scenarios encountered on a commercial building.
From the very beginning, Conklin has been the preferred manufacturer of our group. Top reasons we prefer 
Spring is upon us and this is the season when many businesses are beginning to think about repairing and upgrading their buildings. A building’s roof is the most important aspect of its construction and keeping it in good shape is a high priority. Metal roofing is often found on commercial buildings because of its low cost and reliability. For building owners looking to repair their metal roofs, finding a reliable contractor can be difficult.
