Commercial roofing issues can be a huge headache. After all, your roof is an investment, and you want it to last as long as possible while performing properly. Unfortunately, it’s almost inevitable that you will encounter a commercial roofing issue or two over the lifespan of your commercial roof.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most common problems our team at AMW Contracting encounters during roof inspections or emergency repair calls. With this knowledge in mind, you can take steps to minimize the effects of certain issues before they become larger problems.
1. Improper installation or use of the wrong commercial roofing materials.
Because commercial roofing projects are so high-stakes, it’s important for certified professionals to conduct installation and repairs. If your roof is poorly installed by amateurs, you’re sure to deal with issues later down the road that cost much more than if you’d invested in the work of a licensed professional to begin with.
Furthermore, a professional team with commercial roofing experience can be trusted to choose the right roofing materials for your building, as certain materials are best for facilities in certain industries.
2. Skipped maintenance steps
Your roof will only stay functional and intact for years on end if it is properly maintained. Even the best commercial roofing systems require regular maintenance to ensure their continued performance.
Regular maintenance includes having your roof inspected at set intervals and ensuring minor repairs are taken care of immediately. Even if you haven’t noticed any major issues with your roof, having it inspected by a professional who knows what to look for is essential for catching commonly overlooked problems.
3. Punctures resulting from foot traffic.
Only allow a professional roofing contractor and other professionals essential to the maintenance of your facility onto your roof. Maintaining this rule at your facility is important because foot traffic is a major cause of punctures and tears in single-ply roofs. Rather than having to deal with a punctured membrane, be vigilant about keeping unauthorized individuals off of the roof.
4. Puddles of standing water.
Standing water on your roof is a danger. It can result in leaks that lead to water damage on the interior of your building, which can be costly to repair. Water can puddle on a roof when leaves and other debris clog drains, meaning something as simple as keeping drains unclogged can help prevent this common issue. However, poorly installed roofs can also result in standing water, especially when the roof angle doesn’t facilitate the flow of water towards drains.
5. Shrinkage resulting from temperature changes.
Certain roofing materials are known to expand and contract when exposed to extreme temperature changes. When this occurs, the joints of the roofing system can crack, leading to holes and leaks. If you’re worried about the long-term effects that exposure to the elements could have on your roofing system, consider installing a single-ply membrane that has been created to remain resilient in the face of such extremes.
6. Commercial roofing blow-offs.
Roof blow-offs are most common in areas that deal with high winds and severe storms. When a strong wind hits the side of a commercial facility and continues over the roof, suction pressure is created on top of the roof. In some cases, this suction effect is so strong as to pull weak or improperly adhered materials right off of the roof. This could happen, for example, when materials deteriorate over time or from sun exposure, or when they are not left to cure fully upon installation.
Having your roofing system regularly inspected by a professional commercial roofing contractor can help you deal with these common roofing problems before they evolve into emergencies. Learn more about our preventative maintenance programs and commercial roof inspections today by calling AMW Contracting at 904-725-4197.