Green roof systems

Here are some guides to maintain your green roof systems properly. 

1. What is green roof?

A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves, at a minimum, high quality waterproofing, root repellent system, drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium, and plants.

Green roof systems may be modular, with drainage layers, filter cloth, growing media, and plants already prepared in movable, often interlocking grids, or loose laid/built-up whereby each component of the system may be installed separately. 

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Green roofs can be defined as "contained" green space on top of a human-made structure. This green space could be below, at, or above grade, but in all cases it exists separate from the ground. 

Green roofs can provide a wide range of public and private benefits and have been successfully installed in countries around the world.

Green roofs serve several purposes for a building, such as absorbing rainwater, providing insulation, creating a habitat for wildlife, increasing benevolence and decreasing stress of the people around the roof by providing a more aesthetically pleasing landscape, and helping to lower urban air temperatures and mitigate the heat island effect. 

Green roofs are suitable for retrofit or redevelopment projects as well as new buildings and can be installed on small garages or larger industrial, commercial and municipal buildings. They effectively use the natural functions of plants to filter water and treat air in urban and suburban landscapes. 

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There are two types of green roof: intensive roofs, which are thicker, with a minimum depth of 12.8 cm (5+1⁄16 in), and can support a wider variety of plants but are heavier and require more maintenance, and extensive roofs, which are shallow, ranging in depth from 2 cm (13⁄16 in) to 12.7 cm (5 in), lighter than intensive green roofs, and require minimal maintenance.

2. A guide to maintain green roofs

Pest or insects are almost always present where plants are but sometimes too much of them can do harm to your green roof plant and the stability of your roof itself. 

If you have monitored that the unwanted pest, insects or animals visits your green roof and have seen some damages due to it, consult a green roof professional services to help you remove safely and effectively these problems before it gets worse. 

If your green roofs are not maintained, you can visually see what is wrong about it. Upon your monitoring look out for any signs that your green roof needs to be maintained and consult with professionals immediately in order for it to be resolved quickly. 

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Since your green roof is a mode of vegetation, birds and wind can carry seedlings, especially weeds, that may grow rapidly and affect your plants. 

Weeds have the ability to compete for sunlight, nutrients and space with your existing plants and it can also bring or attract insects. Which is why during the growing season, it is advisable to look out your roof for any weed growth. If there are any, remove the weeds as much as you can spot on. 

To ensure that your green roof plants maintain good health, providing fertilizers are essential. Fertilizers provide necessary nutrients in order for it to grow, thrive and flourish throughout the year. 

After installation, it is advisable to provide fertilizers annually during the first 3-5 years and conduct a soil testing of how much needed for it to be fertilized for the succeeding years.

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The drainage system is one of the most important parts of the roof especially for green roofs. To maintain a healthy plant life, you should also maintain a healthy environment of which your water shouldn’t be stagnant. 

Check if there is ponding water or any clogs in the area that can affect the environment of your green roofs and also your community. 

Conclusion

Swadley Roof Systems offers the best roofing services in the Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas area.