A commercial building’s roof is critical not just for providing shelter, but for ensuring continued operations. For commercial property owners and managers, understanding the causes of roofing damage can be helpful in making informed decisions on roofing upkeep — perhaps even anticipate potential failure. In today’s post, US Roofing takes a look at the top causes of commercial roofing damage.
- Weather. It goes without saying that continuous exposure to the changing weather will eventually take its toll on the roof; extreme weather merely accelerates the process. Sunlight brings UV damage, high winds strain seams and roof edges, and accumulated snow places pressure against the roofing surface. While unavoidable, preventative measures like regular inspections and annual maintenance appointments can help keep weather-related damage to a minimum.
- Installation Mistakes. Installation quality is a key factor in a roof’s long-term performance. One can choose the best roofing materials and they won’t perform as expected if improperly installed. Commercial roofing systems are far more complex than residential roofing systems that, to ensure proper installation, you need to hire roofers who have the training and experience for such roofing types. Workmanship warranties can also help cover the costs of correcting installation mistakes.
- Low Quality Flashing. Flashing is a strip of metal or, in the case of roof boots, neoprene. It protects the vulnerable areas of the roof, such as roof valleys, the base of vent pipes and chimneys, and where a wall meets the roofing plane. One of the most common mistakes committed by inexperienced roofers is choosing low quality flashing in order to cut costs. Low quality flashing is vulnerable to corrosion and UV damage, which eventually exposes the areas they’re supposed to protect from the elements.
- Foot Traffic. Some commercial roofs are exposed to constant foot traffic, and not all commercial roofing systems are made to withstand the kind wear and tear it brings. While preventative measures like mandatory use of foot covers are helpful, your best protection against foot traffic is choosing a hard-wearing roofing system like modified bitumen and built-up roofing.
US Roofing is your local commercial roofer who handles seasonal roof jobs along with scheduled routine work such as maintenance inspections. For more information on our services, give us a call at (978) 532-6300, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.