Top 4 Issues that Require Commercial Roofing Services

Aug 11,2017

Whether they are unforeseen or obvious, roofing problems are always a pain and an expense for both home and business owners. There are some roofing problems that occur more frequently than others and as such there are specific roofing services that are needed more often than others. Here we have listed common issues contended with by the owners of commercial properties and serviced by professional roofing contractors that are hired to repair them.

Moisture and Roof Leaks

Regardless of the type of roof, a leak is always a problem. Leaky roofs can happen for various reasons. If you have a built up roof, you can experience leaks when there are flashings that were not properly fastened at the time of installation. Bitumen roofs begin to leak when there is a lack of proper barrier for moisture beneath the parapet wall. The moisture can lead to blisters and leaks which then resultsin the failure of the roof. Leaks can also be the result of improper installation with poor attention to the seams.

Tenting, Reduced Resistance to Wind Uplift and Billowing

Flashing that has been installed improperly will result in more than just leaks. In the case of hot bituminous roofs, when the flashing has been connected inadequately there is the chance of open laps and seams which will ultimately result in parts of the roofing completely blowing off. Additionally this could cause a reduction in the resistance of the roof to punctures and even code violation problems.

Similar consequences will occur once there's poor embedment of the gravel or an inadequate quantity of fasteners used where the application of torch-applied and hot bituminous roofs are involved.

The resistance to wind uplift can be significantly reduced if the seams have not been adequately cured on mod-bit systems. Seams made with cold adhesive materials don’t have as much integrity until they have been cured. If these seams encounter rain and wind before they are properly cured, there can be wind uplift that can be detrimental to the membrane of the roof, or they can be susceptible to infiltration by moisture into the roofing system.

Single ply roofs require a bit more to hold them in position and if they are not properly adhered to the substrate, they are at the risk of blowing off or billowing.

Unsatisfactory Workmanship and Poor Installation

Poor installation increases roofing problems and decreases the life expectancy of the roof. In fact, sub standard workmanship is the major reason for there being issues with roofs. For example, if the area is not properly cleaned and dried before the installation then there will be issues with the adhesion. If the temperature is not right or even if the sheets have not been relaxed then there can be blisters, fish mouths, leaks, and wrinkles.

Before hiring a roofing company, make sure that the professionals are qualified and properly certified on the right techniques for the specific roof type. If possible ask them for client references as it will help you to know more about their workmanship.

Lack of Maintenance

Believe it or not, there are plenty of compelling reasons for you not to neglect your roof. These include business continuity and monetary considerations.  If you are vigilant concerning your roof then you'll stop problems from escalating into something that will be more expensive to repair later, or risk becoming an impediment to the normal operations of your business. Whether your roofing concern is a residential one or a business one, the more educated the owner is concerning the roof and its condition, the fewer problems and unexpected costs there will be.

In fact, there are often inspection and maintenance requirements which are necessary in order to make sure that the warranty on the roof is not voided. Routine inspections help to ascertain in advance whether minor issues are becoming major problems, like water that is ponding, or a chunk of base flashing that may be slithering, or empty pitch pockets are obvious things that can be easily caught with periodic inspections. By catching these minor problems and having them promptly taken care of, you can avoid a lot of expensive repairs and inconvenience in the future.

By taking proper preventive measures you can avoid costly repairs, but eventually, all roofs will need to be replaced. However,how soon that becomes necessary will depend on how conscientious you are with preventive maintenance.