Which Type of Roofing Should Be Used On Flat Roofs?

Roofing in Conroe Texas

Flat roofs can be both a blessing and a curse. They can be easier and less expensive to replace than other types of roofing; however, water resistance depends on the proper installation of the most suitable roof for the home or building. There are many types of flat roofs available to be installed by professional roofing services, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Choice 1 - Built-Up Roofing (BUR)

Built-up roofs are created by using built-up layers of material that form a watertight coating on the top of a building. This material is very durable as it is constructed from three or more layers of watertight material, alternated with hot tar and fine gravel. The main advantage BUR offers is that it is the least expensive option in flat roofing. Its main disadvantage is that it can be very heavy, so it is not suitable for all installations. To be an acceptable option, the building structure must be strong enough to hold the total weight of all the BUR materials plus rainwater or snow.

Choice 2 - Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen is a single-ply system that can be quickly and easily rolled on by roofing services, making it a cleaner and more environmentally-friendly installation than BUR. This pre-made material comes with a sticky back, making adhesives and tar unnecessary. The main advantages of modified bitumen are low cost and fast, clean installation. The main disadvantage is that modified bitumen is not very durable and does not properly withstand scratches or tearing.

Choice 3 - EPDM or PVC Membrane

EPDM and PVC are two types of membrane roofs that make very durable and energy efficient choices for flat installations. They are both rolled on in the same way, with seams sealed by using adhesives or special sealing tapes. The difference between the two is that EPDM is actually a rubber membrane, while PVC is one derived from flexible plastic. The main advantages to these roofing options are durability and longevity. The disadvantages include the fact that it can be harder keep EPDM or PVC watertight at the seams, which means more maintenance is needed. In addition, both choices cost considerably more than BUR and modified bitumen.

Choice 4 - Metal Flat Seam Panels

Metal flat seam panels make an attractive and very durable roof when properly installed by expert roofing services. These panels fit together in such a way that water cannot get under the joins, providing a highly waterproof installation. Metal flat seam panels look great on most buildings and are available in many widths and colors. These panels last the longest of all other options. The main advantages of these materials are high durability and longevity with a more attractive roof. Disadvantages are a much higher cost than other options and the tendency to leak at the seams if not correctly installed so that edges fit into each other.

Choice 5 - Spray On Coatings

A newer option for flat roofing is spray-on silicone coatings. These coatings are very easy to apply and highly waterproof, making them a durable and low maintenance option for flat installations. They are especially good for larger buildings and have many favorable attributes which include resisting ponding and high energy efficiency. Besides those already mentioned, the main advantages of spray-on silicone are fast installation, higher durability, watertightness with almost no maintenance, and easy repairs. The main disadvantage is that this material has the highest cost of all available options.

From lowest to highest cost, the installations listed above are the five main flat roofing choices now available to home or building owners. The choice should be made based on the size of the building, local climate, durability requirements, and available budget. To learn more about these choices, home and building owners should discuss their needs with experienced roofing services that can advise the best option!

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Roofers in Conroe Texas

Roofing can be a dangerous job when the right precautions are not taken. It is one of many professions that falls under OSHA’s protection, whose policies state that all roofers must have the proper protection to safely perform this essential job. Roofer services must ensure their employees adhere to these regulations that are designed to prevent or reduce the number of serious accidents occurring in this profession each year.

Provide Proper Training

Before climbing up onto the top of any homes or other buildings, roofers must be thoroughly educated on roofing safety and how to prevent falls. Besides learning the job itself, employees must also learn the many ways to keep themselves safe while working and how to use fall prevention safety gear. The company they work for should provide training so the worker knows how to plan and perform each job and understands the importance of fall prevention and protection before ever climbing up onto any roof.

Provide the Right Safety Gear

Along with safety training and a good work plan, roofer services must provide employees with the safety equipment necessary to prevent falls. Every worker should be equipped with the right Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) and trained about proper setup. When a full body harness and secure anchorage is used correctly, it protects workers by stopping a fall in progress.

In addition to a PFAS, employers should also provide fall restraint systems, such as guardrail systems, which stop falls by preventing workers from reaching the edge of the work areas where they could fall or slide. Other systems such as warning lines, warning alarms, and even safety nets can be used to protect employees from falls.

Plan Jobs Ahead of Time

Good planning should be an essential part of every job performed by roofers. Without a plan, accidents are more likely to occur. To prevent falls and other injuries, a preliminary inspection must always be done of any building where employees will work. Then generate a work plan addressing any challenges that are present, while maintaining employee safety through the use of fall arrest gear. Part of this planning must also include where and how to set up PFAS so there is no question about attachments or fall distances once the work begins.

Create A Rescue Plan

Planning ahead also means creating a rescue plan in the event that an accident does happen. Workers should be trained in what to do if a worker falls while wearing a PFAS as well as how to handle any other safety emergencies. To reduce injuries that could still occur with a PFAS, all roofers should understand that the fast rescue of fallen workers is important to prevent suspension injuries. All workers should know how to reach a fallen worker and get them to safety as well as what to do if an injury does occur during a job.

Teach Safe Use of Equipment

In addition to all of the above-mentioned measures, roofer services must also ensure that workers have safe and usable ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and any other necessary equipment. They must also know how to properly use all of this equipment. Instruction on how ladders can be used during rescues should be provided, along with training on how to securely set up scaffolding and guardrails plus the safe use of aerial lifts if they are required.

Although many roofers may be highly skilled at their jobs, accidents are always still possible. To prevent potentially deadly falls and other accidents, roofer services must provide essential work and safety training to all employees. Workers must be provided with safe, stable equipment and gear designed specifically for fall prevention or arrest. With proper planning that includes the above safety measures, employees can achieve job efficiency with the least amount of risk!

Month: January 2017