Why do Flat Roofs Creak?
Have you been hearing any strange noises coming from your roof lately? Don’t worry too much, more than likely it’s the colder temperatures we are having that make the sounds more prominent. The wood on the roof contracts when it gets cold. In the winter, all exposed materials will eventually shrink as the temperature drops. In the spring, as the environment warms up, wood will gradually expand to it’s normal size. Flat roofs are generally more noisy then pitched because the insulation is part of the system so there is no place for moisture to escape. No roof is sound-proof, especially if they aren't well built or well maintained. Membrane roofs expand with the heat in the summer and contract with cooler temperatures pulling on the fasteners. This can lead to snapping, cracking and popping sounds. These sounds are most common in buildings where the new roof has been installed over an older roof, causing the weight of the new roof pressing down on the already damaged roof. There is a solution: The addition of expansion joints can make a big difference and be much, much cheaper than tearing down the roof and rebuilding a new one. Any material whether new or old can shift regularly with changes in temperature and air pressure. If the noises become unbearable, then getting a new roof may be last resort to prevent further noise. Our employees are certified and trained to install a variety of material on flat roofs. We have chosen to install only the most durable products which include:
- VersiGaurd EPDM
- Mule-Hide EPDM
- VersiWeld TPO
- Mule-Hide TPO
- Mule-Hide Elastomeric Coatings
- TPO Snow Fences
All in all, unless you have a family of raccoon's nesting on the top of your roof making clunking noises from the chimney (true story), then the only way to really diagnose the problem is to contact us for a free estimate and consultation from Brady Roofing. 801-487-5151 We install both flat and pitched roofs.