According to professionals, a commercial roofing system can be a bit more challenging to care for compared to a residential roof. This all thanks to their lack of slope, which can prevent proper drainage, and size. As such, some property owners sometimes find it difficult to maintain their commercial roofs, resulting in various kinds of damage. But what exactly is it that causes the damage to your commercial roofing system?
In this article, commercial new construction expert BFARR Contracting lists the seven common causes of commercial roof damage.
1. Equipment Additions – When you own a commercial building, you can add equipment such as HVAC units to the commercial roof. That way, you won’t have to lose valuable space in the basement. When you’re having additional equipment installed on your roof, however, it’s highly recommended that you hire a consummate professional to do it for you. Otherwise, the equipment may be improperly installed, leading to commercial roofing damage.
2. Maintenance Neglect – Regular maintenance is very important for commercial roofing systems as this can make all the difference between a functioning roof and a damaged one that barely protects your building. Unfortunately, some homeowners tend to neglect to maintain their commercial roofs, which can cause various kinds of damage for your roof. To prevent this from happening, be sure to have a professional maintain your commercial roof every now and then. That way, any damage it sustains can be fixed before it causes major problems for your building.
3. Extreme Weather – Like any roofing system, commercial roofs are vulnerable against extreme weather events such as strong winds or hail storms as they can cause punctures or for the membrane to peel off. If there’s a particularly strong storm in your area, it’s highly recommended that you have a professional inspect the roof afterward to see if it sustained any extensive damage. Should they find that the roof was damaged by the storm, have them repair it as soon as possible to prevent further issues.
4. Structural Movement – Movements such as expansion and contraction are common in roofs, especially if you’re in an area that sees hot and cold weather throughout the year. While such occurrences may not sound bad, these kinds of structural movement can damage your roof if left unattended. Therefore, enlist the services of a commercial roof replacement and repair specialist to inspect your roof every now and then to repair the damage caused by structural movement. If the damage is too extensive, however, have your roof replaced instead.
5. Biological Growth – Believe it or not, biological growth such as algae or vegetation in your roofing system can cause damage to a commercial roofing system. This is because such organic growth can retain moisture and eventually this moisture can seep beneath your roof’s membranes, resulting in roof deck rot that can compromise the roof’s structural integrity.
6. Not Fixing Problems Promptly – If your roof sustains any kind of damage, it’s always best that you have the damage repaired immediately. This is because leaving any form of damage unattended for an extended period of time can lead to further issues for your roof and as such, should be rectified as soon as possible.
7. Clogged Drains – Similar to roofing damage, clogged drains are issues that property owners should never leave unattended for a long period of time. The reason is that if you allow your drains to remain clogged, standing water could become a problem for your commercial. If the standing water isn’t drained immediately, on the other hand, you could face some moisture problems that can compromise the roof’s structural integrity in the long run. Therefore, to prevent your roof from being damaged by standing water, be sure to have someone unclog your drains every now and then.
Need someone who can help you replace your commercial roof? Look no further than BFARR Contracting. When it comes to commercial and residential roofing replacement projects, we are the number one service providers to approach and we won’t let you down! Give us a call at (321) 444-6446 or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.