Have you ever made an assumption that has done you damage? Sometimes, it’s the very things we don’t know or aren’t careful of that put us in trouble.
A common scenario is a burglar who steals a cellphone and later realizes that it’s a tracking device.
It always pays to dig a little deeper and not to simply make guesses.
False assumptions are common in the roofing industry, among commercial building owners, to be specific. Because overt damage happens through continuous process, they are not always visible.
Commercial building owners think that their roof is in good condition when it’s really not. They put off commercial roofing repairs and inspections.
Do not wait for the day when your roof becomes unrepairable. Below are telltale signs that you need commercial roofing services the earliest time possible.
Read on.
Commercial roofing lifespan
Different commercial roof systems have different lifespans.
For example, a rubber roof such as EPDM lasts from 25 years to 50 years. Spray foam roofing can survive up to 50 years. Similar to EPDM, TPO roofs last up to 30 years. Though less likely to be used on commercial roofs, metal roofs can live up to 45 years.
Check whether your present roofing has aged beyond its warranty period. Do not overlook this important document.
As soon as you confirm that your commercial roof is no longer under warranty, act before it acquires any major damage.
A total roof replacement definitely costs more than a simple repair.
Put in mind that you cannot always rely on the pre-determined lifespan of a commercial roofing. During its lifespan, several other things can seed up its deterioration. These can be environmental factors and human activities.
Leaks that keep coming back
If your commercial roof is leaking all over the place, you need to explore the exact reason behind those leaks.
Although leaks are a common problem, they further damage if not resolved immediately. Something so small or menial
Here are possible consequences of commercial roof leaks:
Slips and falls
Injuries happen puddles of water form on your floor as a result of the leaks. Everyone inside your building (employees and customers) is vulnerable to this type of hazard.
Pest infestation/insects
It’s not uncommon to discover thriving insects inside your building as a consequence of unresolved leaks.
Water penetration doesn’t only result in structural damage, it can also attract insects. Standing water give mosquitoes a breeding place. Because water softens wood fibers, wood boring insects like termites chew through the softened material.
Speeds up roof damage
One of the things that leaks do to your roof is that they accelerate its damage. Water reaches your roofing membrane, affecting the deck, seams, and mechanical fasteners.
Prevent this from happening and making your pay for more by hiring commercial roofing services as early as possible.
Fire hazard
The worst thing that could happen as a result of a leaky roof is a fire. How so? Electrical wiring soaked in water will create an open circuit.
Although wires are protected inside junction boxes, know that these do not serve as a reliable defense. While you have roofing contractors inspect your roof, also call the attention of electricians.
You’re building a new brick-and-mortar store
If you’re looking to start a physical business, you can choose from the many commercial roof systems before you.
As part of the large network of contractors under Firestone, we install two types of Firestone roofing materials on commercial buildings:
EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer)
This is a synthetic rubber roofing that’s extremely durable. EPDM roofing is a popular choice among commercial building owners. They can be easily installed, requiring less energy, and are resistant to ponding and UV damage.
TPO (Thermoplastic polyolefin)
TPO roofing material gained wide acceptance in the commercial roofing industry because of their resistance against tears and punctures. They also effectively reflect sunlight to keep your building cool.
Our exclusive roofing product: TTR
If you want another option for a roof that comes with a ton of advantage, choose our exclusive TTR roofing system. TTR stands for Tri-Thermal Roofing.
It combines two roofing systems (EPDM + spray applied polyurethane insulation), making it far better than a single roofing. The TTR has multiple advantages which include the following:
- A disruption-free installation
- Minimal maintenance
- UV protection
- Resistance against water
We use the TTR as a solution for new roofs. However, if you have an old roof that can still be salvaged, the TTR makes a great option.
Rusting or metal deterioration
The strips of metal or roof flashing of your commercial roof can rust or deteriorate over time. This is due to exposure to weather elements. Have commercial roofing contractors check whether those strips of metal are bent or rusting.
Damaged roof flashing is one of the reasons why water penetrates your roof and weakens your foundation.
Keep water damage from happening after your roof flashing deteriorates. Call professional commercial roofing contractors to make sure that your flashing is well-sealed.
Cracked or blistered roofing surface
Every heard of commercial roof blistering and alligatoring?
Roof blisters are characterized by bubbles that form beneath your commercial roofing membrane. Blisters form because of trapped moisture and the expansion of water vapor in between your roof’s deck and membrane.
Blisters get worse over time due to constant exposure to the sun. The pockets or bubbles that are formed expand as it causes more air and moisture to build up.
Your contractor will repair a blister by cutting it open and applying a new membrane material.
Alligatoring can easily be identified because of its appearance. You’ll see cracks on your roofing surface that looks similar to an alligator’s hide.
This problem is the effect of sun damage. The UV rays of the sun tend to dry out your bituminous roof. Like blistering, alligatoring gets worse if left unattended. This will lead to premature roof failure. Cracks on your roof pave way for the entry of water.
Most of the time, alligatoring signifies that your roof has reached its lifespan limit. Again, you’ll want to review the year you had a roofing installation.
You can prevent blistering and alligatoring on your membrane system by getting a regular inspection. Do this at least twice a year or right after a severe storm hits your area.
The first thing that your contractor will do is to investigate the cause of this damage. Then, they will remove and patch the damaged area.
Roofing contractors also use special UV coatings to fill in the cracks. These coatings will help extend the life of your membrane roof. Mesh fiberglass is also a good material to apply that strengthens your roof.
Bad odors inside the building
What’s that musky smell inside your building? Weird odors such as this may indicate a roofing problem. If you’re constantly having roof leaks, indoor moisture facilitates the growth of mold.
Mold puts everyone’s health at risk. Cough, wheezing, asthma, and other respiratory problems commonly result from poor indoor air quality.
Confirm the presence of mold by checking areas where roof leaks are common. Mold look like dark spots and come in different colors.
Keep humidity levels inside your building low by having commercial roofing contractors fix your leaky roof.
Catch mold problems early and remedy a roofing issue unless you’re willing to pay for a bigger roofing job and get frequent absences in your workplace.
Climbing energy bills
Commercial roof systems that lose most of its reflectivity prompt air conditioning systems to work harder. Your cooling unit needs to keep your building cool and this helps your employees feel comfortable and work productively.
A seemingly minor roof damage such as a puncture affects your indoor temperature.
As a business owner, you can do so much to boost your business savings and promote a comfortable environment. Simply pay attention to your roof.
Spot problem roof areas that increase your utility bills with the help of commercial roofing services.
There are commercial roofing systems that can still be restored or brought back to life. Not all worn-out roofs should be replaced immediately.
Depending on the existing condition of your roof, we’ll help restore your roof using our Tri-Thermal Roofing system. This will be a less disruptive, faster, cleaner, and a more cost-effective service than a total replacement.
To keep your building cool, our TTR’s EPDM layer will reflect heat from the sun so It doesn’t enter your building. On the other hand, the spray foam beneath it increases your roof’s thermal resistance.
With one of our commercial roofing services such as our roof restoration using our TTR, you get to enjoy about 98% higher energy savings.
Before You Go
For your commercial roofing to be able to protect you all year round and many years to come, pay close attention to it. Know whether your roof is trying to tell you something.
Making an assumption that your roof is perfectly fine even without a regular inspection is a no-no. Assumptions lead you astray.
This is why commercial roofing services are here to help you uncover less obvious roofing problems and fix issues before they get really worse.
