Flat Roof Rot and How You Can Prevent It

1
Flat Roof Rot and How You Can Prevent It
2

• Flat roof rot isnt an uncommon problem, but it
  can be a very serious one.
• If your attic is poorly ventilated and has too
  much moisture, or your roof has sprung a leak
  that youve failed to address, you could have
  yourself a serious roof rot problem, which if
  left untreated, could spread by as much as 10
  feet a year, and even cause your roof to
  collapse. Sound shocking? Thats because it is!
• Because flat roof rot is such a potentially
  serious problem, its important for home and
  business owners to know as much as they can about
  it, in order to prevent it from ever affecting
  their flat roofs.

3

• What are the primary causes of flat roof rot?
• The main cause of flat roof rot is moisture, be
  it from humidity, a leak or anything else wet!
  And the two things that typically cause such
  problems with moisture, are a poorly ventilated
  attic and unattended leaks.
• If your attic isnt sufficiently ventilated,
  humidity levels will inevitably rise, exposing
  the wooden components of your roof to high levels
  of moisture. When spores in the air come into
  contact with wood that has a moisture level of
  more than 20, they will begin to germinate and
  sprout and there you have the beginnings of roof
  rot.

4

• Why are flat roofs especially prone to roof rot?
• Due to the fact that flat roofs have a minimal
  slope, (despite being called flat, most have a
  slight slope), when coupled with poor drainage,
  it will inevitably lead to ponding when rain
  water pools instead of draining away. Over time,
  ponding will start to damage the membranes or
  shingles on a flat roof, and water will penetrate
  the roof.
• What are the main indicators of flat roof rot?
• The main signs to look out for are sagging and
  water staining on both the ceiling and interior
  walls. Its important to act fast should you spot
  either of these signs, and schedule a site visit
  from a local roofing contractor.

5

• How can flat roof rot be prevented?
• As with the majority of roofing problems, regular
  and professional maintenance are vital in
  preventing costly damage, and roof experts
  recommend that flat roofs be professionally
  inspected at least biannually.
• You can also carry out your own basic, visual
  checks every few months or so, just to see if
  there are any potential problems.

6

• Additionally, maintaining a proper temperature in
  your attic, especially during the hot summer
  months and the colder months of winter, is
  important in preventing roof rot. Ideally,
  humidity levels in your attic should be between
  40 and 60, and with a good ventilation system,
  this should be easy to achieve. If you suspect
  your attic to be too humid, you can ask your
  local roofing contractor to install additional
  ridge vents, soffit vents or attic fans.
• Preventing roof rot of your flat roof is easy
  provided youre willing to maintain your roof
  regularly, and respond to any potential problems
  in a timely fashion.

7

• RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive
  and one of the best general contractors in Queens
  NY. From initial design to final clean up, our
  results speak for themselves. We are fully
  licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both
  commercial and residential construction services
  to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area.
  We also offer roof repair in Astoria NY. Proud
  to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is
  too small nor too big. If you are looking for a
  roofing contractor in Queens NY or want to know
  more about our wide range of professional but
  affordable construction and repair services,
  reach out to us at [phone].