There are various types of roofs in use such as the pitched roof common to many houses, but the typical roofing solution for a lot of commercial buildings is the so-called flat roof. Technically, a flat roof is actually a low-sloped roof with a grade suited to the size of the building, which is usually just a few degrees. Installing a superior low-sloped roof requires the skills of an experienced Flat Roofing Contractor in Topeka KS. For example, the roof must be installed so that there is very little pooling.
Pooling occurs in areas where the roof is weak or does not have enough support to avoid sagging between beams. Some amount of pooling is acceptable if the roof is draining properly, but the pools should be small and dry up quickly. This avoids excess stress from the weight of the water accumulating in any specific area. One reason that pooling can be the problem is that it loosens the aggregate and this could result in water seeping under the roofing.
The most common low-sloped roof uses the BUR (built-up roofing) system. This type of roof is a mixture of asphalt roofing spread over a membrane, typically a roofing felt or tar-paper. The roof is placed over the decking, and the decking must be strong enough to support the weight of multiple layers. Over the last layer of asphalt is an aggregate such as gravel. One benefit to the BUR system is reasonably simple repairs. Leaks are often easy to fix by placing a bit of asphalt over them. If the damage is severe, then the roofer may be able to add another layer over the structure. However, there is a limit to the number of layers that any roof can sustain.
Other options provided by a Flat Roofing Contractor in Topeka KS include EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) and TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin). These synthetic products provide durable roofing solutions that last for years. EPDM is a synthetic rubber that is rolled into place. TPO is a polymer roofing that is placed over the roof and usually joined with automated tools. This provides seams that are strong and durable. It might also be wise to consider a roofing insulation such as POLYISO, which is a polyisocyanurate foam core bonded to fiber-reinforced facers. Contact the experts at Alpha Roofing for more details.
