Hurricane Ian caused significant structural damage to several places in the US. The tragedy has destroyed many homes and businesses, causing flooding and roof collapses.
This natural disaster serves as a reminder that buildings aren’t always as sturdy as you think. That’s why it’s imperative to follow commercial roofing maintenance procedures.
Commercial roof maintenance helps companies preserve their roofs for several years. In doing so, you can avoid replacing your roof and the expenses this entails.
However, few people know much about this maintenance or commercial roof repair. As such, they don’t understand what steps to take to protect their roofs.
Roof maintenance can take several forms. If you’re unsure where to start, keep reading! We’ll explore the actions you can take to preserve your commercial roof.
Avoid Putting Extra Pressure on the Roof
People rarely think about their roof’s maintenance because they imagine it’s almost invulnerable. After all, manufacturers design these structures to be incredibly resilient.
However, roofs aren’t indestructible. Even these sturdy structures can have too much weight to bear. Avoiding this extra pressure can help you preserve the roof for an extended period.
The first step in this practice is to avoid putting unnecessary weight on the roof. So, don’t let employees go on the roof when it’s unnecessary.
Sometimes, companies may hold rooftop parties. In other cases, employees may go to the roof for smoke breaks.
Whatever the case, encourage employees to find other locations for these gatherings. Remember, this practice helps keep your employees safe as well as protect your structure.
Of course, there are times when having people on the roof becomes unavoidable. For example, roofing maintenance and repairs crews will have to walk on your roof to do their work. However, allowing this occasionally won’t cause any significant issues.
Clean Your Roof Frequently
It may seem strange to think that excessive water puddles could lead to your business needing a commercial roof replacement. However, this seemingly harmless buildup can have catastrophic effects on your building.
Flat commercial roof materials often collect debris from surrounding areas. This debris often includes rainwater, leaves, and torn roof materials.
Maybe it makes sense that rainwater could become damaging over time, but what about leaves? How can those threaten your building?
The short answer is that leaves provide shelter for rainwater. They shade the water and keep parts of your roof damp.
Because of this shelter, the sun won’t evaporate your rainwater as fast. This cover can cause severe issues for your building.
First, water can seep below the roof and impact its structure. This water infiltration can cause rot, thereby weakening the structure. If you allow this to continue, the roof could lose its support.
Second, there are potential health problems associated with this moisture. The most obvious example of this is mold growth.
Mold can grow and fester throughout your building. This growth can cause several health side effects, including those listed in this article.
Consider Snow Removal Services
Some climates rarely receive snow. If so, you may not need snow removal services. However, your business may need snow removal services if you receive considerable snowfall annually.
Snowfall is considerably more dense and heavy than average rainwater. It adds more weight to your roof, sometimes leading to roofing collapses. This additional weight can hasten the damage discussed in the previous section.
Climates that receive large snowfalls usually have snow removal companies that clean sidewalks. If so, ask whether these services can also provide snow removal for your commercial roofing systems.
Prepare for Seasonal Changes
It’s best to prepare for seasonal changes, even if you don’t receive much snow. Preventative maintenance is often the best kind, as it can prevent the worst problems from gaining a foothold on your roof. After all, most roof problems develop from negligence.
One critical form of preventative maintenance is covering vulnerable areas with tarps. This way, you can protect your roof from sitting water.
Also, remember to consult a commercial roofing company. These businesses understand the best practices for protecting your roof against incoming weather changes. These services can protect your building from cold weather and moisture buildup.
Inspect Your Roof After Severe Weather
Several events can threaten your roof, whether it’s a hurricane, blizzard, or hailstorm. That’s why it’s crucial to inspect your roof after severe weather. Any heavy storm can weaken your roof.
Even if your roof survived the storm, it may have sustained damage you wouldn’t otherwise notice. So, go and inspect the roof to determine if there are any dangers.
Do you notice missing shingles? What about collections of rainwater or snow? Maybe you notice dents from hailstones.
The best solution to this issue is to contact a roofing contractor. Also, consider planning for preventative maintenance to protect your roof in advance.
Some regions are more prone to inclement weather than others. A roof coating system can solve the issue if your business receives this weather more often.
These coatings often provide waterproofing protection for your roof. This step can protect your roof from potential threats, including water damage and mold.
Make Commercial Roof Repair a Priority
Preventative maintenance can go a long way towards protecting your roof. However, even the most extensive care cannot stop all threats to your roof. At some point, age or natural disasters could cause your roof to break down.
When you notice roofing problems, such as missing shingles or mold growth, it’s best to fix them. Otherwise, they could fester and grow into more damaging issues.
Commercial roof repairs for small issues like leaks can help you avoid much worse problems. As a result, it’s more cost-effective to take these steps instead of waiting for disaster to strike.
Use the Best Roofing Materials for Your Commercial Roof
The next step is to use the best-quality roofing materials. It’s often tempting to use cheaper materials to save money. Who doesn’t love a bargain, after all?
However, this practice could cause worse problems in the long run. These cheaper materials may break down faster than higher-quality products. If so, you’ll need repairs sooner than you would otherwise.
You may wonder how to choose the best roofing materials. Generally, this involves choosing a reliable roofing contractor who can provide these materials. We’ll discuss how to find the best contractor in the next section.
Choose the Best Commercial Roofing Contractor
The next step in maintaining your roof is choosing the best roofing contractor. This step may seem challenging, but you can simplify the process by following these steps.
First, find a roofing contractor with sufficient experience. Your roofing contractor should have several years of practice in their sphere. Years of experience give these companies offer expertise in your roofing situation.
The next step is to ensure they have the necessary licensure for your region. This step ensures contractors have the qualifications to work on your building.
Third, make sure this company provides insurance. Even the best companies sometimes make mistakes on a roof. When this happens, your business needs a way to ensure you receive money to compensate for this mistake.
That’s where your contractor’s insurance comes in. This insurance provides a way to pay for their errors and restore your roof to its proper condition.
Next, look for references and reviews about this company. Any company that’s been in business for several years has feedback you can find online.
So, check out customer reviews. What sort of experience did other people have with this company? Do people think favorably of their skills and customer service?
Finally, ensure the contractor you hire is willing to write an estimate. This estimate allows you to budget and prepares you for their rates.
Schedule Regular Inspections
Once you have a contractor, the final step is to schedule regular inspections. After all, you don’t want to go to the roof every day to survey it. Even if you check it daily, some problems could escape your notice.
That’s why regular, professional inspections can help. During these times, trained contractors examine your roof to assess its condition. They can identify pain points and the best ways to treat them.
Then, they can give you an assessment to ensure you understand your roof’s condition. Likewise, contractors can help you devise long-term plans to care for your roof. Usually, annual inspections are enough to maintain your roof.
Find Your Commercial Roofing Contractor Today
Maintaining a commercial roof takes significant work and upkeep. Most businesses lack the resources to follow all of these steps alone. That’s why you need commercial roofing services.
If you live in Texas, consider working with us! We provide services to Bulverde, League City, and Montgomery. We also offer several types of roofing services, ranging from roof repair to replacements.
So, don’t hesitate! Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
