Commercial Buildings: 6 Common Roof Problems
Based on the kind of commercial roofing you install, your investment may last anywhere from 5 to 40 years. Most property owners interpret this as an indication to sit back and relax until the timer runs out—but not so fast!
It’s important to note that the life expectancy stated in your roofing literature can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors. The care and maintenance of the roof, its usage and abuse, the design quality and installation, as well as the weather, will all play a role.
Although you can’t control all of these factors, keep an eye out for small roof problems. This will help you address them before they become costly repairs.
If you’ve not recently inspected your property’s roof, here are six common commercial roofing issues to look out for.
1. Punctures
During hailstorms, hail may puncture your roof. Additionally, during storms or hurricanes, high winds may throw debris onto your roof, causing punctures. Common places where punctures occur include flashing, sealant, vents, chimneys, and pipes.
If you have a single-ply roof, people walking on the roof may cause punctures.
Always have your roof inspected after extreme weather. This will help to spot and repair punctures on time.
2. Roof Leaks
Punctures may let water into the building during rains. Thus, if you observe water leaking into your interiors, you may have a puncture. Roof leaks may cause water damage and encourage mold growth.
You may observe other signs of a roof leak, including ceiling stains, puddles, stained walls, and a musty smell. Routine roof maintenance can help prevent and resolve roof leaks before they cause water damage to your interiors.
3. Pooled Water
Pooled water is a common problem on commercial roofs caused by drainage problems. If you have standing water on your roof, check the gutters for blockages.
Improper drainage from HVAC systems on commercial buildings and leaks from flashing may also be the source of standing water. The additional weight of pooled water may strain the structure of your building. Therefore, you should resolve this problem as soon as you can.
4. Poor Installation
Improper roofing may compromise your roof’s integrity and cause many roof problems down the line. The poor installation also shortens a roof’s lifespan.
After searching” best roofer near me” on Google, the first roofing company that appears is not always the best roofer.
When hiring a roofer, ensure they have the experience required to do the job correctly. You can ensure you hire an experienced roofer by asking companies which roofing types they have experience working with.
5. Lack of Roof Maintenance
Inconsistency in maintenance will have you replacing a roof before the end of its lifespan. Proper roof maintenance helps prevent or spot and fix roof problems before they cause irreparable damage.
When installing a roof, always ask the contractor about your roof’s maintenance requirements.
6. Blow-Offs
Blow-offs or billowing during high winds is common when roofers fail to attach roof shingles properly. Loose shingles may flap in the wind and sometimes be blown off the roof when this happens.
You can avoid blow-off by ensuring roofers attach roofing material properly and the roof is left to cure after installation. Hire Yutzy Roofing Service LLC for this service.
You Now Know the Common Roof Problems
The key to keeping ahead of these roof problems and extending the life of your commercial roof is to have regular roofing inspections performed. Address maintenance items as soon as possible.
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