7 Signs That Show It’s Time To Replace Your Commercial Roof
Your building is likely your most important asset, making its maintenance a top priority. How do you determine when it’s time to replace your commercial roof?
The fundamental purpose of any commercial roof is to prevent water damage to the building’s contents. Unfortunately, many issues may interfere with your business roof’s capacity to drain as intended.
Water follows the route of least resistance to the ground since it is guided only by gravity. The water from precipitation or melted snow and ice should make its way to the roof’s drainage system and then out of the building.
It might be difficult to determine whether it is time to start thinking about a roof replacement for your business facility. This blog post will provide you with seven warning signals will help you make the right decision.
1. The Age of Your Roof
Depending on the building’s design and the quality of the materials, a commercial roof can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. This is a reliable standard by which to calculate the expected lifespan of a roof. A roof’s lifespan can be increased via regular maintenance, while it can be decreased through neglect. So if your commercial roof is 30 years or older you should definitely think about replacing it with a new one.
2. Puddles and low areas
If there are low spots on your roof, it might mean the insulation is compacted or that there are other problems that require fixing. If problems aren’t addressed immediately, they will simply worsen. Looking for puddles of water immediately after a rainstorm is a certain way to locate low spots.
The first thing to do if you see water collecting or puddles is to check to see if the drains are unblocked. If the coast is clear, it’s time to call in a commercial roofing company to check the roof for damage.
3. Bubbling or Blistering
Roof blistering, sometimes referred to as bubbling, is a prevalent issue with membrane roofs, including built-up, TPO roofing, PVC roofing, and EPDM.
If there is a breach in one of the layers, a bubble will develop underneath the membrane. Most often, this is due to wind or rain getting under the membrane, but it can also be the result of improper installation or a lack of ventilation. It’s important to note that regions with large seasonal temperature variations are more prone to have this issue.
If you ignore little blisters on your roof, they can quickly expand and cause significant damage. If you see blisters or bubbles growing on your roof, you should have a professional come take a look and fix it. If you check on it often and maintain your roof properly, you could notice the issue before it becomes worse and requires a replacement.
4. Damage Caused by a Storm
The roof of your company is not suitable for severe weather. The roof might be damaged by hail, sleet, or snow. High winds can also sweep debris onto your roof, making it even more susceptible to the weather.
The best protection for your roof is preventative care in the form of routine maintenance and inspections
A GOOD TIP: After a hailstorm, it’s important to have a professional look at your roof.
5. Pitch Pans or Damaged Flashing,
Flashing is used to channel water away from roof penetrations like chimneys, dormers, and skylights. Together with Pitch Pans, they serve as the primary means of preventing water from entering a structure.
Any protrusion on your roof is surrounded by metal sleeves called pitch pans.
Water may leak into your structure if the pitch pans and flashing are broken and unable to direct the water away from the protrusion. These leaks often begin gradually, making them difficult to detect at first. Therefore, it is crucial for the longevity of your business roof to keep up a program of regular roof inspections.
6. Holes and/or Tears In The Roof Membrane
This may seem like a no-brainer, yet many flaws in commercial roof membranes are really out of sight. Many business buildings have life-sustaining systems, such as HVAC and backup generators, mounted on their rooftops. Extra roof-mounted equipment in healthcare facilities and manufacturing facilities may be necessary to meet specialized needs. It is crucial to do routine maintenance on this specialist machinery. Your roofing membrane runs the risk of being nicked or punctured at any point during installation or upkeep.
7. Wind-Related Problems
The roof of your business facility is vulnerable to wind damage from both sudden bursts of wind and prolonged high winds. It’s easy to neglect checking your roof for damage after a windstorm because there’s usually not much rainfall present.
Although blow-offs are uncommon with membrane systems, they are possible if the seams are not adequately sealed. In places with regular severe winds or with taller commercial buildings, this can be a serious issue. A business roof repair will be needed sooner if your building is frequently subjected to high winds.
Many building supervisors believe a seam will fail, but in reality, the system is more likely to break at the flashing connection. Strong winds can create dangerously low pressure within major structures like schools and commercial centers.
Find out exactly what your business insurance covers. Coverage for wind damage might be helpful in covering the cost of a replacement.
The Best Investement In Your Commercial Roof Is Prevention
These seven warning signals when it’s time for commercial roof replacement all point to the same thing: regular roof inspection is usually the only way to know whether your roof is in peril. The experts we use to examine business roofs are able to pick up on subtle problems that untrained eyes could miss.
After experiencing any of the signs described in this blog, we recommend scheduling a roof inspection with our company. We aim to ensure that your business roof lasts as long as feasible and saves you money.
Contact us ASAP so that we can maintain your roof’s excellent condition throughout the entire year.