Soft Spots On Flat Roof

If you can tell there s a soft spot on your roof this most likely means that the substrate below the roofing material is damaged and deteriorating.
Soft spots on flat roof. Most roofs have plywood sheeting underneath the roofing tiles or shingles. That means water can seep into damaged spots higher on the roof and run down towards lower spots. This can be a result of the plywood sheeting becoming wet from rain above or from moisture not being able to escape from below and leading to mold mildew growth on the wood. Soft spots on your roof should be addressed immediately as this is an indication that the material under the shingle outer layer of roofing material was soaked and is deteriorated to the point of structural instability.
The reason for these soft spots is that the layer underneath is probably very soaked due to gaps in the shingles cause over time and weather changes and the water is seeping through the sheeting. If the rest of the roof is in good shape then a roofer can come over and replace the worn out areas. Inadequate attic ventilation can also cause your shingle roof to feel spongy or bouncy. Most flat roofs aren t perfectly flat.
These soft spots usually form when the layer underneath gets soaked due to gaps in the shingles. How attic ventilation keeps your roof cool and healthy. The roofer can also check out the rest of the roof for any other potential problems which may cause new soft spots in the future. Most roofs have plywood sheeting underneath the roofing tiles or shingles.
We hired a roofing contractor to take a look. What you may not know however is that your hvac unit may actually be contributing to the problem. The home inspector found the roof to be in poor condition with at least one leak noted it was raining at the time and a couple soft spots on the roof. Without good attic ventilation your roof gets extremely hot.
Over the period of manufacturer s designated roof lifetime of 25 to 30 years that plywood is exposed to heat in the summers heavy rains and the winter weather and cold dampness it brings. The roof is absolutely flat is built with 14 bci that are 24 on center. Have a friend hold the ladder steady for you. Fortunately if your roof is still fairly young you can just repair these spots.
That dip in the roof with a soft spot indicates that you should have your roof repaired asap. There is no vapor barrier on the underside the roof sheeting is 3 4 cdx with a hot mop tar and paper coating. If there is inadequate ventilation the probability of moisture buildup and then mold mildew growth is much higher. Newer roofs often have a warranty that may cover the costs of this problem.
They often slope slightly to drive water off the sides. Contact absolute construction and we will send one of our guys out for free to make sure this isn t an issue. Addressing this immediately can significantly limit the amount of additional water damage to the remaining home. Every owner of a building with a flat roof is familiar with the problem of ponding water accumulating in low spots on flat roofs.
And that extreme heat can damage both your shingles and the wood decking below them and causing your roof to feel soft when walking on it. He had closed cell foam sprayed under the roof deck and added 2 layers of 5 x 24 fiberglass batts.