The main weakness of flat roofs is durability. They just aren’t as durable as their gable and hip counterparts.
On average, a flat roof lasts for about 10 to 50 years. However, this depends on the material, quality of installation and maintenance of the roof. Weather conditions and other environmental factors also matter.
My main goal is to tell you how long a flat roof lasts. However, I can’t leave you with that information alone. So, I will also show you how to make your flat roof last longer and how to know if it’s time for roof replacement. Let’s get started.
How Many Years Does a Flat Roof Last?
Flat roofs last for an average of 10 to 50 years. Remember that this depends on certain factors. We’ll discuss them in the next section.
At the end of this lifespan, you must replace the roof with another. However, if something happens earlier than expected, your warranty may cover repairs or replacement.
There are terms and conditions, though. So, you should read the manufacturer’s terms and discuss the warranty with your roofer. The roofer and manufacturer can also tell you how long the flat roof will last.
Factors That Determine How Long a Flat Roof Will Last
Here are the five factors that affect the lifespan of a flat roof.
Roofing Materials
Here is a quick breakdown of each type of flat roof material.
- Felt: 10 to 20 years
- EPDM: 50 years
- Fibreglass: 20 to 30 years
- PVC: 20 to 30 years
- Built-up roof (aka BUR): 10 to 25 years
- Modified bitumen: 15 to 25 years
In other words, felt roofs have the shortest life span. If you want a long-lasting flat roof, choose EPDM. You should also consider aesthetics and price when choosing a material for a flat roof.
Weather conditions of the location
Weather affects the lifespan of a flat roof.
Heat and cold can cause the roofing material to stretch and shrink, which could cause shifts, leaks and cracks. Heavy rainfall can cause water pooling and leaks, making the roof buckle and rot.
All these affect the lifespan of the roof. So, if you are in an area with adverse weather, the flat roof won’t last as long (compared to an area with moderate weather).
The amount of weight on the roof
Here are two great ways to take advantage of the unique qualities of a flat roof. Firstly, you could install HVAC units on the roof, thereby saving space. Secondly, you could use the roof as a rooftop garden or sitting area.
There is just a problem. Both options put some strain on the roof. Therefore, they affect how long the roof will last.
Quality of installation
If you use a good installer like Fixmyroof, your flat roof will last longer. It’s that simple. There are many things that an amateur roofer may not know.
For example, many don’t know that a flat roof isn’t actually flat. There should be a slight slope for drainage reasons. Secondly, weight distribution is important when installing HVAC units. It will reduce the stress on the roof.
Maintenance
When you maintain a flat roof properly, it will last longer. This also applies to other types of roofs and most things in life. Proper maintenance is crucial. So, later in this article, I will tell you how to maintain and care for a flat roof.
Signs That You Need to Replace a Flat Roof
The signs are easy to notice. You just have to know what to look for. Here are five indicators that a flat roof needs replacement
Persistent Leaks
Leaks happen and can be repaired. However, if a flat roof leaks persistently and constantly needs repairs, there is only one solution. It is time for roof replacement.
Water pooling
You should never allow water to pool on your flat roof. It will damage the roof, causing it to leak, rot and sag. Sometimes, water pooling is caused by heavy rainfall and drainage issues. Other times, it’s caused by issues with the roof itself.
Sagging and blistering
Most of these problems are connected. For example, pooling becomes more frequent when a flat roof starts sagging. Conversely, water pooling also causes the roof to sag.
So, once a flat roof starts deteriorating, you will notice more issues. Therefore, the only solution is roof replacement.
Blistering is when water or air gets under the roof’s outer layer. This lifts that outer layer, exposing the rest of the roof to the mercy of Mother Nature.
Holes, Splitters and cracks
All three show that the integrity of the roof has been compromised. They also encourage more problems.
Curling, shrinking and lifting
These three usually happen around the edges of the roof. They are probably due to the weight and heat the roof is subjected to.
For example, heat and cold can cause the roofing material to expand and contrast. Over time, this can cause the roof to shift, shrink and curl. It will also come loose at the seams.
How Often Should You Replace a Flat Roof?
You should replace a flat roof every 10 to 50 years. That’s how long the average flat roof lasts. Remember that it depends on the material, installation quality, maintenance and strain on the flat roof.
So, you only need to replace an old and deteriorating flat roof. Watch out for the warning signs that we discussed earlier.
How to Make a Flat Roof Last Long
Here are a few ways to increase the lifespan of any flat roof.
Hire a professional roofer
It’s always better to hire a professional. The resulting roof will last longer and save you a lot of stress and money. Fortunately, Fixmyroof is only a DM away. Our roofing experts are available to build or repair your flat roof.
Clean and maintain your flat roof properly
The major culprits are algae, pools of water and debris. They can all damage a flat roof. They also affect aesthetics. So, you should never let them build up on your roof.
Sure, it will happen sometimes. For example, heavy rain can cause pooling. Act quickly. Clean the roof before the water gets time to do damage. Clean the gutters as well. Fortunately, flat roofs are low maintenance.
Inspect your flat roof regularly
Inspect the roof yourself. Do this regularly. Do it after bad weather, also. Then, pay for professional inspection and maintenance twice per year.
Both are crucial. Why? Because you will be able to detect issues before they become worse. Therefore, it will be easier to fix those issues.
Limit the amount of weight on the roof
You can use a flat roof as a rooftop deck or garden. You can also install your HVAC system on it. Just be careful about the amount of weight you are putting on it.
Hire an engineer who can distribute the weight of the HVAC unit to reduce the strain on the roof. You can also install support frameworks like walkways and duckboards.
Prune tree branches that overhang the flat roof
Those branches can fall at any time. They can also shed leaves on the roof. So, it’s better to prune overhanging branches.
Coat the roof
You can use dark colours or polyglass coating. Dark colours reduce heat loss, keeping your home warm and reducing energy bills. Polyglass coating is more expensive but also more beneficial. It offers water resistance, energy efficiency and UV protection.
Summary
The average flat roof lasts for 10 to 50 years. However, this depends on:
- The roofing material
- Weather conditions in the area
- The amount of weight you put on the flat roof
- How well the flat roof is maintained
- The skill and experience of the installer
That’s why you need Fixmyroof. If we build your flat roof, durability, aesthetic appeal and peace of mind are guaranteed. We also repair, maintain and inspect existing flat roofs.
So, let’s talk. Do you even know if flat roofs are the right choice for your house? Let’s talk about it.
