Service
Flat Roof Maintenance Checklist
Flat roofs are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Twenty minutes twice a year is the difference between a 30-year roof and a 12-year one.
- Check outlets and gutters twice a year
- Watch for ponding after rain
- Inspect upstands and flashings, not just the field
- Blisters and splits — photograph and monitor
- Never jet-wash a flat roof covering
- Keep records for your guarantee
Twice a year, from safe access
Late autumn after leaf fall and again in spring. Never step onto a flat roof you're not confident is sound, and never on frost or moss. From safe access, check that every outlet and gutter is clear, that the surface is free of debris, and that nothing has grown at the perimeter.
- ▸Clear outlets, hoppers and gutters
- ▸Remove leaves and moss from the covering
- ▸Check nothing is resting or dragging on the surface
What to look for
Standing water 48 hours after rain means the falls or the outlets aren't working — it isn't fatal but it ages the covering. Look at the upstands where the roof meets a wall, at any flashing, and at the perimeter trim: those fail long before the middle does. Blisters, splits, exposed reinforcement on GRP, or lifting laps on felt are all worth photographing and getting looked at.
What to do about what you find
Clear debris yourself; get anything structural or waterproofing-related looked at rather than sealed over with a tub of black goo — that's the single most common way a repairable roof becomes a replacement. Keep dated photos: they help with guarantee claims and give a roofer a proper history when something does need doing.
FAQs
Is ponding water a defect?+
It's a sign the falls or outlets aren't performing. Some systems tolerate it better than others, but it always shortens life and is worth investigating.
Can I walk on my flat roof to check it?+
Only if it was designed as walk-on and is dry and sound. Otherwise inspect from safe access or ask us to do it.
Do you offer inspection visits?+
Yes — a straightforward inspection with photographs and a written note of anything found.
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