If your home has a flat roof or if even part of your roof is flat, you might be concerned this time of year. When heavy rains fall, those with a flat roof tend to worry about water damage and leaking. Many roofs are pitched or have a degree of slope to them. This allows the rain water to run off of the roof. But, flat roofs don’t have any angle to them, and therefore the rain water pools in some places. These puddles sit and soak the roof and roofing materials, and the worry is that this will lead to leaking and water damage.

However, even if you have a flat roof that does not mean that you are destined to have water damage and leaking of your roof every year. In fact, if you follow these simple tips you can help to protect your roof and roofing materials from the puddles of water that collect:

• After a big rainstorm, safely climb a ladder and take a look at your flat roof. If puddles have formed, you can use a broom to brush them away or even a leaf blower to blow the water away. This is only necessary if the puddles are very large or if there are several of them.
• Make sure to keep the gutters and downspouts around the roof of your home clear of debris and clogs. When rainstorms bring heavy volumes of rain, your gutters and downspouts work to carry the water away. However, if the gutters are clogged with debris and leaves, the water will collect and flood over the side of the gutters and on to your roof.
• Before the rains start, inspect the flashing on your roof protrusions to make sure it is not damaged or missing. When your roof is first installed, holes are made to accommodate things like skylights, ventilation fans, and the chimney. Then, a roofing material called flashing is installed around each of these protrusions to seal it to the roof and prevent leaking. This flashing can break down over time and should be inspected and replaced regularly.

This is a great time of year to have your roof professionally inspected, especially if you have a flat roof. A professional roofing technician can inspect your roof for any areas of concern and make sure to fix these areas before serious damage is caused.