Disadvantages Flat Roofs

Stability

• Depending on how large the roof is, stability can be an issue. The larger the flat roof, the less stable it is. The weight of a flat roof must be compensated for on the inside of the building, often with poles or pillars that support it. These stabilizing components may have to be installed in the middle of a room that you would prefer to be open. Unsupported, a flat roof can cave in and be hazardous to the people inside and cause major damages.

Supporting Precipitation

• Heavy rains and particularly heavy snows are a problem for flat roofs. Large flat roofs do not shed the snow or rain that piles up on them. It simply accumulates and adds excessive weight to the top of the building. In some cases the weight become too much for the roof to support and snow or rain collapses part of it. Care must be taken to keep heavy snow cleared off the flat roof, and proper drainage for rain is also a must to prevent problems.

High Maintenance

• Continuous maintenance is required for people who have a flat roof. Neglecting basic maintenance and upkeep will cause a flat roof to have a much shorter life than a sloped roof. Gutters and drains must be kept clean at all times to prevent pooling and potential rain collapse. Checking for damage regularly and patching even the smallest leaks is important in extending the life of a flat roof. Because of their inability to quickly shed precipitation, leaks are more common and repairs will likely be a regularly recurring task. Repairs to the flashing around a flat roof are also a fairly common job.

Roof Coatings

• Most people with pitched roofs can have the roof installed and forget about it for many years at a time. Flat roof owners will usually need to work on the roof coating on a regular basis. The roof coating is what makes the roof watertight. Flat roofs usually need reapplication of coating every few years depending on exposure to the elements like rain and harsh sunlight. It's a good idea to have the roof inspected annually just to keep an eye on this problem and any other damage.