Flat roofs need frequent inspections and maintenance so that if a. It is important to seal your roof as soon as you see signs of alligatoring. This extreme shifting of temperature creates even more cracks in the flat roof to give it an alligator skin like texture. If youre noticing that alligator pattern across your entire flat roof, its time for a. If a ponding area dries, the accumulated dirt and debris may contract during dehydration resulting possibly in alligator cracking and pull at the surface of the membrane. One of the biggest problem with asphalt surfaces is that they dry up and shrink which eventually leads to cracking and this will cause your roof to leak. The older your roof gets, and the longer you leave alligatoring to its own devices, the worse it will get. Alligator cracks are extensively found at intersections where the vehicles are stopped for a. More emulsifier would have helped in the thick area by my business card. This type of fatigue cracking first shows as short longitudinal cracks in the wheel path that quickly spread and become interconnected to form a chicken wire alligator cracking pattern.
If your roof does crack, call the professionals at mckinley flat roof. Learn the most common problems as to why a flat roof would crack and some. To search the glossary for a specific word or phrase, hit the ctrl. What are common flat roofing problems, and how do you fix them.
Alligatoring on a builtup roof or bur is a term for a pattern of cracks similar to an alligator s skin. Cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a bituminous roof or coating on a spf roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an alligator s hide. It looks a lot like alligator skin, which is where the name comes from. Apply a uniform layer of roof mastic along a crack, using a wooden applicator or a paint stick. The bright uv rays eventually dry out the membrane or coating that tops your flat roof, causing it to crack.
If your home or business has a flat roof, this can come with unique problems that. How to fix cracks in a flat roof home guides sf gate. Sometimes this pressure can build and become too excessive leading to stresses that can cause cracks to form. Sun during the day heats the roof and snow during the night cools it. Alligatoring is the term used to describe the condition pictured below. This is a condition of the roof that indicates that the roof is near the end of its life maybe way past it, and gets its name from the way an alligator. Flat roofing is a cost effective choice for extensions, but it is prone to problems. The henry 287 solarflex white roof coating is a premium, elastomeric, waterbased acrylic latex coating. Blistering and alligatoring are two problems that are common among membrane roofing systems. If your flat roof is starting to look like the hide of an alligator, water, debris or sun damage has cracked the bitumen coating. Most foam roofs are going to show cosmetic alligator cracking, that is normal with the heat in az. Alligatoring is always most severe where the asphalt.
Alligatoring one of the surest signs that your flat roof needs replacement is a phenomenon called alligatoring. Top 3 flat roof materials explained torch down, epdm, tpo which is the best. The following is a list of terms or phrases commonly used in the roofing industry. What is roof alligatoring, and what does it mean for your. When your roofing material begins to age, it may crease and crack and take on the appearance of alligator skin. Call surecoat systems at 8778237873 or go to this is a surecoat systems roof coating howto roof installation video. What to do when you see alligator cracking in asphalt. For some reason the cracking but not peeling yet effect is worse on the existing drywall versus the new drywall. Either way, once alligator cracking begins, it will not stop without proper asphalt repair.
Alligator cracking is the type of cracking that is associated with load and structural distresses. Crack in roof flat roofs tend to have more pressure exerted on them, since they are flat instead of slanted. But if you are contemplating on buying a unit then have it inspected, plus the air conditioner. Back in 2011, we were faced with the issue of coating our elderly travel trailers roof. Its really a less than precise description of a roofing defect. I had a 60 year old home today with a mostly flat roof mls described as torchdown.
This spot was probably still going to dry out and crack anyways, as areas with lots of tar keep drying out for years. A flat roof tends to have more pressure exerted on it than a sloped roof due to the configuration of the roof itself. What is roof alligatoring, and what does it mean for your flat roof. Shop ace to find the best roof sealant and coating products to extend the life of your roof.
The most common noise issues with flat roofs are banging, loud rain, snappingpopping sounds, heatrelated cracking. The cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a builtup roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an alligators hide. Alligatoring is always most severe where the asphalt coating is thickest. Crack in roof flat roofs tend to have more pressure exerted on them. Alligatoring is a crazed cracking pattern in the roofs surfacing. Sometimes this pressure can build up, and if the pressure and stress become excessive, it can cause your roof to crack. Elsewhere on the label youll find a warning that the stuff cant be used on a flat roof. How to fix typical problems that develop with exterior house paint, such as peeling, blistering, sagging, chalking, and alligatoring.
I am sure most of you have heard of the term alligatoring as applied to roofing particularly related to flat roofs. To ensure your roof continues to protect you from the elements, apply roof. We discuss flat roof issues that are easy to fix and the problems you will face if. Highlyresistant to disbonding, chalking, mildew and discoloration, this coating protects your roof. Alligatoring is a crazed cracking pattern in the roof s surfacing. A pattern of cracking that looks like the cracking of an alligators dry skin or a large number of small cracks in a number of directions is often referred to as crazing or alligatoring.
While no roof is soundproof, there are certain repairs and replacements that can be done to reduce the sound of rain or hail, and the banging noises that many unfortunate homeowners do experience from time to time. Smooth surfaced, asphalt builtup roofs on which the surface mopping is relatively thin usually show definite alligatoring of the surface coating within 3 to 5 years. It had the deepest and worst alligatoring i have yet seen, all over the roof. Ignoring it is only going to mean the bubbling and cracking becoming worse. The once flat roof has deflected downward several inches into the shape of a bowl, causing cracks and noticeable bowing in the interior ceiling. Anyway, if the flat roof is leaking, the best thing in my experience with them, is to just tear off everything, and start with a fresh clean substrate surface to apply new rubberized roofing. This is a common question and it will become more common as roofing. Surface cracking or the alligator appearance is common and will appear on smoothsurfaced mb after a few years, especially if not coated with a uv protective coating.
Emulsifier issues emulsifier flat roof problems aa. Surface cracking or the alligator appearance is common and will appear on smoothsurfaced. Alligatoring is a result of aged old asphalt cracking due to a loss of elasticity. Flat roofs by pegram is a roofing contractor that has been doing business since 1975, specializing in roofing contractor, roof replacement, roof repairs, flat roof repairs, white roofing, industrial roofing, commercial roofing, roofing companies, roofing repairs, and roofing. Extend the layer several inches beyond each end of a crack. This condition is generally found on smooth surface asphalt roofs but checking may also be present on smooth surface modified bitumen roofs. Often, i find residential additions with inadequate flat roofs. Left unprotected, the roof surface will begin to develop a pattern of cracks that will.
Roof alligatoring is a phenomenon that occurs as a flat roof ages. When the defects are fine, it is referred to as checking. Flat roofs are a good option for commercial buildings. Since the roof system is only five years old the question is, should they repair all of the blisters or only the blisters that have opened. When repeated coats of paint are applied over other coats, often over a period of years the chances of crazing or alligatoring. If youve been asking yourself why does my roof keep popping. The cracked and bubbled roof is said to resemble the skin of an alligator.
The most common noise issues with flat roofs are banging, loud rain, snappingpopping sounds, heatrelated cracking, and creaking. Alligatoring is the cracking on a bituminous roof or coating on an spf roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an alligators hide. When left unattended, cracks and splits eventually develops. Flat roofing repair blistering, alligatoring, and other. When this occurs you will notice that the roof surface. How to solve the most common flat roof problems commercial. Flat roof inspection guide for homeowners of baltimore, md. Avoiding the pitfalls of a flat roof extension keay. Flatroof inspection with a focus on modified bitumen the ashi. Most common flat roof problems and how to address them. House paint offers a durable, protective coating that will. This is especially true when inspecting flat or lowsloped roofs. In the event that your roof does crack, you should call a professional immediately.
To keep it in good shape and prevent any longterm damage, its important to maintain your roof with the right supplies. This can lead to small rips and tears in the roof material, which can then lead to water. Blistering is a different phenomenon in which bubbles form underneath the roof s membrane. What happens is the asphalt used to build your flat roof has aged and lost its elasticity, causing it to crack and bubble and look something like the skin of an alligator. How to repair a flat roof with ponding water youtube. For this you need a new roof waterproofing solution, such as liquid rubber or acrypol. Once split, water will enter the roofing system and the interior of the building.
The cracks may not extend completely through the surfacing bitumen or coating. If the surface is left unprotected, it can deteriorate beyond a point where a roof. Appearing on smoothsurfaced builtup membrane roofs, the shrinking and cracking of the surface. If left unattended, the alligatoring condition can develop int splits in the roof membrane. As a general rule, whenever you see any cracks appear in your asphalt, the first thing you should do is apply crack filler or sealcoating, weather permitting, to try to halt further spread of damage. The sun shines on your roof all day, warming the tiles and sub roof.
1307 158 576 820 1169 881 66 257 548 66 452 930 1066 357 376 884 1191 1147 559 1162 104 924 1204 1111 1464 434 292 434 460 1237 1409 1118 914 204 143 111 337 1331 718 442 855 512