What is tapered insulation, and why is it used?
Tapered insulation is rigid foam board cut in wedges, laid in a pattern that gives a flat roof a gentle fall toward the drains. It lets the structure stay level while the roof surface still sheds water. It also adds thermal insulation. On a re-roof, it is the most reliable way to fix a roof that has ponded for years.
Can a flat roof also be a terrace or walkway?
Yes, as the terrace opening on the house above shows, but it needs a design. The membrane must carry foot traffic, or a protection layer, pavers or pedestals go on top. Water still has to reach the drains, and rails need fixings that do not puncture the waterproofing. Plan the use before the membrane is chosen, not after.
How often should drains and scuppers be cleared?
Check them at least twice a year, and before and after hurricane season. Leaves, sand and debris block a drain quickly, and a blocked drain turns a roof into a shallow pool. Standing water stresses the membrane and the structure below. Clearing a drain is a five-minute job that can save the roof, so build it into your routine.
How are parapet walls and wall joins flashed?
The membrane turns up the wall by a minimum height set by the manufacturer, then a flashing or a metal cap closes the top edge so water cannot run behind it. Corners are formed by hand, not just cut and sealed. These are the weakest places on a flat roof, and they take more time than the open field.
How are seams and flashings checked after installation?
By inspecting every seam by hand and probing the edges to find open spots, and by watching how water drains afterward. Some systems are heat-welded and some are adhered, and each has its own checks. The installer inspects as the work progresses, then the building inspector looks at the finished roof. We also photograph the work for your records.
Are low-slope roofing products approved differently from tile and shingle?
The idea is the same, but the paperwork differs. In Miami-Dade and Broward, the high-velocity hurricane zone requires an approved system with a Notice of Acceptance. For a low-slope roof, the approval usually lists the complete assembly, including insulation, adhesive and membrane, so the parts have to be used together as approved. We pick from the approved list.
Can air conditioning units and equipment sit on a flat roof?
Yes, but the roof beneath must be built for it. Equipment sits on curbs or stands that are flashed into the membrane, with walkway pads where service crews step. A unit placed directly on the membrane can wear through it. If equipment is replaced later, tell the roofer first, since new curbs and flashing may be needed.
Can foot traffic from other trades damage a new membrane?
It can. Technicians for air conditioning, satellite or solar may walk on a new roof and drop tools or fasteners. Walkway pads protect the usual routes, and we mark where traffic should and should not go. After the roof is finished, ask anyone who needs access to tell you first, so you can send them on a protected path.
