Common Noise Issues With Flat Roofs and How to Fix Them

No roof is sound-proof. Even the newly installed roofs are not immune to noise issues, more so if they’re not installed or maintained properly. Several homeowners and business owners have reported a variety of noise issues in their flat-roofed properties. Below are some of the common issues and how you can fix each of them.

1. Loud Rain

Heavy rains can usually cause a lot of noise on your roof. Good news is, there are different ways that you can use to mute or reduce this bulk of noise. The most effective way is to apply the right kind of building materials. Other ways include: 

• Installing a shade cloth over the roof to dissipate the force of the rain before it hits the roof surface.

• Installing extra insulation on the roof.

• Installing equipment such as solar panels to dampen the sound.

2. Banging

If there’s a part in your roof that has come loose or hasn’t been properly fixed in place, banging sounds may generally occur. This sound can become persistent in heavy winds, but can also be present in mild winds. To remedy the problem, conduct a roof inspection to identify the loose piece(s). Depending on the condition, you can fasten the pieces in place more securely or replace with a well-fastened piece. Hot and cold weather can also make the sheet to become loose and bend, resulting in the banging sound.

When conducting the inspection, ensure to have proper fall protection, such as flat roof fall protection barrier, in place. 

3. Creaking

Roofing materials and joints need space to expand and contract, usually with changes in temperature. If this space is not provided, creaking sounds can be a common problem. If the sound is present even with expansion spaces in place, adding more joint expansions can make a big difference. It’s a more cost-effective solution than tearing down the whole roof to start installing again. Ice, snow, and water can also cause cracks on the roof that could result in creaking sounds. Ensure to adhere to routine inspection to detect and repair such cracks as soon as possible.

4. Heat-Related Cracking

Roofs usually tend to shift with changes in temperature. Perhaps you can relate to the cracking sounds on the roof when the sun is up or when you turn on the air conditioner. The following are some of the ways you can implement to remedy this problem:

• Using reflective white paint

• Installing expansion joints, depending on the roofing material

• Regular roof inspection for any cracks or joints under pressure

• Installing vents to better dissipate the heat or cold

5. Snapping and Popping

These sounds are usually common in properties where a new roof has been installed over an old roof. This is because the new roof will be sitting over an already damaged and cracked roof, adding more weight. Changes in temperature and air pressure will cause the materials to shift regularly. When these shifts occur on top of damage or cracked foundation, snapping and popping sounds may occur. To avoid such noises, old roofs need to be ripped up before installing a new roof.