If you are a business owner, you want to keep up the appearance of your building, including the commercial roof. When there are issues with the roof, it can cause significant damage to your building’s structure. Along with that, this is not an easy or cheap fix for you. It might be time for a complete commercial roof replacement. Here are a couple of ways that you can tell your roof needs an extensive renovation project.
You Might Need To Replace Your Roof
When your roof is coming to the end of its life, there are a few signs. You might want to ignore these issues, but that can lead to more damage to your building structure. Call a professional roofing company if you can find any of these issues.
Bubbling
If you are noticing any type of bubbling with a membrane roof, that is known as roof blistering. When a pocket of air or moisture forms under the material, it will start to bubble. This problem is often due to poor ventilation or inadequate installation. In some places with extreme weather, bubbling is a common issue.
When you see these small blisters, you need to take care of them right away. If they are left alone, the bubble will get bigger and cause more problems. Make sure to call a commercial roofing specialist to check out the issue. You might be able to repair it and avoid a costly roof replacement.
Damaged Flashing or Pitch Pan
Those metal sleeves protruding from the roof are known as pitch pans. They keep water out of your building. If they are damaged, you could have moisture seeping into the structure. In the same category, flashing can also divert water from those vertical surfaces on your roof. You will find flashing near skylights, dormers, and chimneys. They work in a similar way as pitch pans.
As you might already know, damaged flashing and pitch pans will cause the water to leak into your building. Since these leaks are slow, you might not even notice the issue. However, once the leak becomes bigger, you will see signs of water damage in your building. You can prevent these problems with a regularly scheduled maintenance visit from a roofing company.
Roof Rot
Root rot is a serious problem that can lead to high repair bills. This problem is also called dry rot, and it can be caused by standing water on your roof. When water is left to pool, it will begin to break down the roofing membrane. In turn, the roof will start to fail, and there could be significant damages to your building’s structure.
If you are looking for roof rot, check out any areas with membrane cracks, water stains, wet spots, or discoloration. After soaking rain, you will want to inspect your roof for these signs. When you notice any symptoms of roof rot, you need to contact a commercial roofing specialist.
Low Spots
Your roof should not have any low spots on the surface. These spots can be another sign of a failing roof. You always want to address these issues because they can affect the structural integrity of your building. The best time to look for a low spot is right after a rainstorm.
Make sure your drains are free from debris to rule out that as a cause of pooling. If the gutters are clear, then it is time to call a roofing company to inspect the integrity of your roof structure.
Wind Damage
Wind can cause harm to your commercial roof. One type of damage is known as a blow-off. If you have a roof with a membrane and the seams are not sealed, then a heavy wind can cause the membrane to blow away. When the seams have failed, then the rest of the membrane system could fail as well. In those areas with high winds, the negative pressure can pull the roof from the building.
Storm Damage
When a storm blows through your area, it can cause damage to residential and commercial roofs. There is no such thing as a storm-proof roof. Sleet, rain, hail, and snow can all cause damage to your roof. In addition to that, high winds will often blow debris on your roof.
While you cannot fully protect your roof from storm damage, you can prevent some issues with scheduling regular maintenance from a roofing contractor. Plus, after every storm, you will want to have someone come out and inspect if there was damage to your commercial roof.
What To Do?
You can avoid most of these issues with regular maintenance. If you spot any of these problems, it might be time for a roof replacement. Before you spend money on this project, check if you can fix the issues. However, in most cases, the damage is severe and can only be remedied by a new roof.
When a roofing contractor comes out to your business, you can point out your areas of concern. Plus, they could find trouble spots that you may have missed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. After the roofing crew has removed the roof, they could find more issues with the structure. This might be a great time to take care of those other problems with the building’s roof.
After the roof replacement project is completed, you will have a final walk with the contractor. This roofing specialist will discuss the finished product’s scope and provide ways to protect your new commercial roof.
The Next Steps
When your roof has these issues, it could be a sign that you need a new commercial roof. Most commercial roofing companies will be able to provide you with a few solutions and options for your building. You never want to ignore these issues since they can lead to costly repairs and replacements down the road.
At RGB Construction, we can help with your next commercial roof replacement. Our team will conduct a thorough inspection to check out those problem areas. We can give you a few options for your building so that your business stays protected throughout the year. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call us at 856-264-9093.
