Commercial roofs may be hidden from your eyes’ view but they play very important roles. Your company depends on the roof to be successful. The roof keeps your workers, equipment and customers protected from rain, snows storms as well as harmful ultraviolet rays. If this crucial element in your building is damaged your business’ reputation, and workers’ productivity will be negatively impacted.

Manufacturers say that roofs can last for forty years. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can sit around doing nothing for this period before repairing or replacing your roof. Degradation of your roof can be caused by a number of factors. That is why you need to pay attention to your building’s cover. Contacting a flat roof contractor every once in a while will protect you from spending money on expensive repairs and replacements. Below are 5 of the most common roofing problems you should know about before they become a major headache.

1. Leaks

Many commercial roofs are flat or slightly sloped. This design makes them prone to pooling, especially if there’s poor drainage. Leaves, debris, and dirt may also accumulate on a properly installed roof and cause it to have poor drainage. Other elements such as hail, snow, and rain could also result in pooling water.

When water pools on the roof for quite some time, it will cause the iron or aluminum to rust and develop holes. These holes will allow water to penetrate your building. You can know your roof is leaking if there are stains on the ceilings and walls, musty odors, or mold. Puddles within the building and dripping water could also be other indicators.

Water can damage equipment such as computers, printers, and machinery. Delays in repairing a leaking roof could cause you to purchase new machinery and renovate a huge chunk of your building. You don’t want this to happen because it can dent your bank account and send you out of business.

Roofing contractors are skilled in identifying leaks. They can conduct thorough inspections, identify the perforated areas, and seal them. They can also replace the worn-out shingles and recommend the best roofing materials you should install to prevent the issue from recurring.

2. Punctures

Most roofing materials are delicate. Whether they are clay tiles, composite shingles, asphalt shingles, wood shakes, or metal shingles, they can be punctured. Sharp objects such as screws and nails can create holes in your roof leading to leaking. Weather elements such as hail and wind can also tear your roof.

You should always contact reputable contractors when performing repairs or maintenance. These professionals use tools that could permanently damage the roof if not used properly. Ensure that your contractor is certified and knows how to work on commercial roofs.

An excellent roofing contractor can fix punctures in your roof. If they’re severe, a replacement may be necessary. They’ll examine the seals around the chimneys, vents, and pipes to see if they’re intact. If they’re not, they’ll use the right sealants to seal the punctures.

3. Blow-offs

Commercial roofs can be at risk of blow-offs, especially if the materials are single-ply. Your roof should be firmly fitted to the substrate to protect it from being blown off by strong winds. Buildings located in areas that are prone to weather conditions such as hurricanes may frequently experience blow-offs. Moving wind creates pressure on the roof’s surface, causing damage to roofing materials, such as nails and flashing. When your flashing is destroyed, your roof’s seams will be loose, exposing your skylights, vents, and HVAC systems.

A professional roofing contractor can secure your roofing materials, and prevent them from being blown off by strong winds. They’ll assess the strength of the substrate and other wooden structures beneath the shingles. Depending on their condition, they’ll replace the damaged and rotten ones with newer and stronger ones. After that, they’ll firmly fix the roofing materials onto these structures, and conduct various tests to ensure they can stand against the winds and other weather elements, such as hail storms and snow. This will protect your building from damage, and give your employees and customers peace of mind.

4. Surface Erosion

The summer and winter seasons are known for severe weather patterns that can erode your roof’s surface. During summer, the harsh heat may cause your roof’s materials to discolor and wear over time. During winter, ice and snow may accumulate on your roof’s surface, destroying its elements. High winds, tornadoes, hail, and rainstorms may also be other sources of roof destruction.

Knowing if your roof has experienced surface erosion isn’t difficult. You may notice cracks or other types of imperfections. In some cases, an insurance company may help you renovate your roof if it has a policy for weather damage.

An eroded roof surface can make your building unsightly and unattractive. Companies whose roofs aren’t so high may suffer from a damaged reputation. The discoloration on the roofing material could also cause your building to appear old and worn out.

It’s advisable to contact a roofing contractor immediately after you notice your building’s roof is eroded. They’ll replace the worn-out shingles and seal the roof with special chemicals that minimize erosion. They may also recommend using erosion-resistant paints to keep your covering looking new. Discuss with them your budget and they’ll help you select the right option.

5. Shrinkage

Most commercial roofs are made of metallic materials. Although these materials are durable and can withstand many weather elements, they could be vulnerable to shrinkage. The heat from the sun causes contraction and expansion. Constant shrinkage may affect your roof’s integrity, and cause the roofing materials, such as the nails and flashing, to change their sizes. The contracted parts may also tear and leave spaces around the edges or near walls. These spaces may let in water, which could compromise your building’s structural integrity, and affect the structures beneath the roof. Single-ply roofing systems are vulnerable to shrinking.

A roofer can assess your covering’s condition, and recommend the best fixes. They’ll replace the damaged flashings, and install roofing materials that are less prone to contraction and expansion. This will keep your building intact, and save it from water damage.

Wrapping Up

Commercial roofing problems may be inevitable. However, you can prevent them from occurring in the first place, through frequent inspections. Roofing contractors know how to catch problems when they’re still small and nip them in the bud before they cause severe damage. Contact these professionals today for an assessment.