Typical Issues with Commercial Roofs

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In commercial buildings, roofs are exposed to various types of uses and are subjected to multiple forms of stress. Incidences range from weather challenges to foot traffic and equipment. Therefore, issues regarding commercial roofs are frequent occurrences. Understanding the most common types of commercial roofing issues is crucial when it is time for inspections, maintenance, or repair. This ensures that the roof is well maintained and thus, serves the people for as long as possible.

What Constitutes a Commercial Roof

To introduce a discussion on the typical commercial roofing problems, it is essential to state what is meant by “commercial roofs.” Commercial roofs are on non-residential structures, which means they are found on buildings used for business purposes. These can range from commercial businesses such as shops and stores to accommodation facilities like hotels and motels, to health facilities, learning institutions, storage and manufacturing companies, among others. It depends on the size and the slant of the building, the material that is used in construction, the intended use of the building, and the climate conditions of the area.

These factors lead to wear and tear in the following ways:

Weather Damage

– Fluctuation in temperature expands and contracts substances and, in the process, uses up the material’s life span. This is made worse by moisture entering and corroding the roof deck, which is the part of the roof that is immediately under the roofing material.

– Rain, hail, wind, and storms cause either denting, tearing, or rupturing the roofing to the point where it may blow off. This leads to leakage if not rectified as soon as it is noticed.

– Freeze-thaw cycles and ice damming are common problems in northern climates where ice and snow load the roof.

Foot Traffic Damage

– Maintenance crews who patrol the roof daily or weekly tread on the roof and wear down the material through abrasion.

– Equipment used to transport loads of equipment for HVAC work or other servicing chores ends up pressing on the insulation and the membrane.

Equipment Issues

– Faulty ventilating, heating, and air conditioning systems cause membrane deterioration and drip water into the insulating material.

– Excessive use or operations with sharp objects may tear the roofing membrane or push it against the sharp edges of other equipment.

Proper material selection, regular maintenance, and timely repair should be expected to get at least 20-30 years out of your commercial roof. It is essential to be familiar with the challenges that owners encounter in order to avoid falling victim to severe complications.

Here are the common causes of roof leaks in commercial buildings:

One of the most pressing issues that most commercial buildings face with their roofs is leaks. If not corrected immediately, any leaks may cause damage that could amount to thousands of dollars.

The most common causes of commercial roof leaks include:

– Injuries caused by cuts, stabs, or pinches from falling objects, tools that accidentally fall onto the surface, or people walking on the material

– Cracks, gaps, separations, or any other issues with the system in areas like the vents, equipment, skylights, etc.

– Water stagnation, which is true with poor drainage systems such as standing water and ponding

– Water backed up by blocked drains or gutters

– Crisis conditions involving the membrane, such as cracking, blistering, or collapsing

– Damage to areas around equipment found on the roofs, such as AC units

Sometimes, one cannot be very sure of the source of water, especially if it leaks in odd places. It is recommended that an annual inspection be conducted, preferably after the winter season and when the rainfall is high, as it will be possible to find out which areas are weak and where water leaks before an emergency occurs.

Frequent Leaks and Repairs

If leaks are recurrent and only being patched to repair them, it is time to replace the roof when it is no longer trustworthy enough to provide reliable shelter.

Warping, cracking, and peeling materials are subtypes of deterioration that appear as distortions and breaks in a material’s surface or structure.

Thus, failure is shown by curled shingles, peeled coating, cracked membrane, and spongy and soggy insulation. Hence, when water finds its way under the top levels, issues are aggravated, as demonstrated above.

Excessive Ponding

Note that when rooftops take over 48 hours to drain after it rains, this is a sign of poor drainage. Drains can be blocked because the roof surface may have settled, or some materials may have shifted to hinder the drip. Pooled water speeds deterioration.

Blisters and Bubbles

Poor water drainage can then cause blisters and bubbles due to the trapped moisture in the walls under the membrane. Once this begins, the humidity increases when surmounted by the sun and subsequently impacts surrounding materials.

Strategies Every Building Owner Should Implement for Their Commercial Roof to Last Longer

To minimize roof issues, facility managers should:

– Have roofs checked at least twice a year after each storm that produces gusts of wind and heavy precipitation.

– Remove any items that may obstruct water flow down the drains or penetrate the membrane

– Ensure that protection pads have been put in place, particularly in areas of HVAC units and regular foot traffic

– Make sure you retain copies of these repair records for future use

– Hire a roofing professional to inspect the roof every 2-3 years

– Address what can be seen as minor problems immediately to avoid them becoming major ones

If businesses ensure proper care and maintenance, commercial roofing can go a long way in serving a range of businesses before requiring replacements. Just like with any construction, avoiding the accumulation of inspection and minor repair requirements is essential. This way, you can deal with major issues before they lead to significant problems and become more challenging to address.