Your Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of leaks?

The most common causes of leaks are blisters, pressure ridges, bare patches, and pooling of water. We provide some detail about how to avoid these causes:

• Delayed and Avoided Maintenance & Repair: The #1 cause of all flat roof leaks and damage is improper maintenance. Proper inspection of a flat roof could reveal blistering, rotting, and deterioration of the flat roof material. This should be addressed immediately to avoid leaks and further damage. 
• Incorrect Installation of Rooftop Equipment: Installing HVAC, skylights, vents, etc. without proper consideration to the roof membrane and to sealing of the roof around the units can cause leaking issues. Penetration can cause leaks and damage at the seams of the equipment, causing unnecessary interior damage to the building. 
• Organic Materials: Standing water creates an environment for plants to sprout and take root on your flat roof. Trees drop leaves and needles that decay, and then can cause leaks and damages.
• Standing or Pooling Water: The long term presence of collected water on your flat roof increases the risk of leaking.

Signs of Flat Roof Leaks

There are several signs that a buildings flat roof may have a leak. Some signs are easy to detect, but others may appear unrelated. 

Here four signs that your flat roof is leaking. Detect the problem early to avoid costly building damage: Call 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. if you have any of these signs for a free estimate on your repair.

• Drips and Puddles: The most obvious sign that your flat roof has a leak is a puddle or dripping water in a previously dry area. In this case, we recommend calling so that we can locate the source of the water. The longer the leak is left unfixed, the greater the risk of structural damage and injury to the interior of your home and furniture or business and equipment. 
• Indoor Damage: If you look and notice signs of water damage on your building walls, floor, or ceiling, then you may be experiencing a flat roof leak. Water marks , stains, discolouration, peeling paint or wall paper, weeping, or bubbling on walls or ceilings are concerning indicators of a leak. If you see any of these signs and have ruled out pipe damage, the chances are high the damages are caused by a flat roof leak. These signs should not be ignored, as they signal increased risk of costly damage, not only to the roof but the building’s structure, the electrical, and the contents of the building. 
• Exterior Damage: Signs of exterior damage can include discolouration of the side of the building, as well as peeling paint and consistent wet spots. While indoor damage may be more noticeable and causes more alarm, outdoor damage should not be taken lightly. The longer you wait to locate the source of the leak and repair, the more likely the damage will spread. 
• An Important Note: Environmental Changes: A leak may be present affecting the health of its building occupants. Trapped moisture creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow and spread. Exposure to mold and mildew can lead to respiratory issues, aggregate allergies, and asthma. While these symptoms may be caused by a combination of things, we recommend taking the steps to ascertain if the mold and mildew is caused by a leak in the buildings flat roof. An inspection from 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. is an excellent way to determine if any issue is present.

What causes flat roofs to deteriorate?

Deterioration of roofs can be caused by a number of things, such as standing water, harsh winter weather, UV damage from sun, and lack of general maintenance. These issues can cause blisters, pressure ridges, and resulting bald spots that all increase the risk of flat roof leaks.

How old should my roof be before getting it inspected?

4 Seasons Roofing Inc. recommends that all flat roofs start getting inspected at the 10 year point, and continue with an annual inspection every year. These inspections can help prolong the life of your flat roof and provide the opportunity for early flat roof leak detections. This prevents costly emergencies and helps to avoid costly and time-consuming issues down the road.

What makes 4 Seasons Roofing different than other flat roofing companies in Alberta?

For over 20 years, 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. has been proud to offer excellent personal customer service. We are a family run company that pays close attention to the details, while offering flat roofing services to businesses all over the central and northern Alberta area. We can do this because of our family values, expertise, experience, and effective flat roofing techniques. We intend to offer excellent service for generations to come. Our dedicated family offers experience and professionalism for the commercial roofing industry. 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. is committed to quality workmanship and to offering the best results for our customers backed by our warranty.

Do you offer a warranty?

4 Seasons Roofing Inc. offers a warranty on new and reroof systems. We stand behind our work, which is why we back our workmanship up with a warranty based on your flat roofing needs. Contact us for more details and to discuss your flat roofing needs at 780-970-1024.

What is the life span of a flat roof and how can I extend it?

The typical life span of a flat roof is 20 to 30 years. If you are committed to maintaining and maximizing your roof’s life span, ensure you have your flat roof inspected and perform general maintenance to keep up the quality. 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. offers scheduled yearly maintenance programs to ensure your peace of mind and protect your investment.

Some Tips For the DIY Roofer

We recommend using a roofing professional for all things roofing, but, if you are taking the initiative to maintain your own roof there are some basic task you can do on your own.

• Unclog gutters and drains 
• Check attic for leak detection 
• We do recommend calling a trained roofing professional to help remove debris from your roof to avoid causing damage to the membrane (this should be done in spring and autumn) 
• Cut low branches from trees hanging over the roof (the recommended rule of thumb is 1 metre of clearance) 
• Check for cracked caulking, small punctures, or worn spots 

If you have any concerns about your roof, or want to avoid costly flat roofing emergencies, pick up the phone and call 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. immediately. We offer maintenance schedules to help ensure the longevity of your flat roof. Spring or autumn schedules are both available. Our team of experienced flat roofers will assess the situation, provide expert roof leak detection and prevention, and will repair any issues quickly and safely. Emergency leak detection and repair services are available within 24 hrs. 

For more information or in case of a flat roofing emergency, contact 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. by phone 24-7 at 780-970-1024. You are in good hands with the 4 Seasons Roofing Inc. family!