Flat roofing can last for many years, but it's important to have your roof checked regularly so repairs can be done. If your roof starts to leak, the insulation boards under the membrane roof will soak up water, and that could cause your roof to fail earlier than it should.

Flat roofs can crack, get punctured, and come loose around protrusions and seams. This type of damage allows rain to seep under the membrane, so you'll want a roofer to make repairs as soon as possible. Here are some flat roof repairs that will extend the life of your roof if they're done on time.

Seal Cracks, Gaps, And Holes

Membrane flat roofing is one of the easier types of roofing to repair since it can be patched easily. The roofer just has to cut patch material from the same type of membrane as the roof and cover the damaged area with the patch. Damage to the roof is usually quite easy to see and find, and that makes it easy to get repairs done before a leak gets too bad.

Flat roof repairs involve bonding the patch material to the membrane, and that is done by using adhesive or by using a heat gun that welds the patch to the membrane. The roofer chooses the method appropriate for the type of membrane on the roof.

Apply A Roof Coating

If your roof has a lot of punctures or cracks, the roofer might suggest covering your roof with a coating. By coating the membrane, you'll have a watertight seal on the surface that keeps rain from getting into the damaged areas. The damage is hidden under the coating, and the coating should last for many years. This allows you to get the roof back in good shape so you can put off a roof replacement and just have roof repairs done instead.

Fix Moisture Damage With New Materials

If a flat roof gets a large hole or long crack and the damage isn't found right away, rain may soak the insulation boards, and your roofer may decide to change those when repairing the membrane damage. If your flat roof has a lot of damage, as might happen after a hailstorm, the membrane might need to be replaced entirely.

If the damage is just in a localized spot, the roofer might just replace boards in that area alone. If your roof has a wood deck rather than metal, they may also need to repair the wet area of the deck. When finished, the moisture damage and cracks are both repaired so your roof is ready for more years of service.

Contact a company like Fischer Roofing - Flat Roof Pros to learn more.