As a business owner, you are probably not thinking about the condition of your commercial roof at your store or place of business. But commercial roofs are just as vulnerable to roof hail damage, wind damage, and normal weathering as residential roofs.
You may not see signs of leaking or other obvious damage, but that does not necessarily mean your roof is in good condition. Your commercial roof is part of your business investment, so having a regular roof inspection ensures your business will continue to thrive.
A bi-annual commercial roof inspection is highly recommended. Here are some reasons why commercial roof maintenance is a good idea.
1. Harsh Winters in Colorado
Roof damage can happen all of a sudden, such as when a huge hail storm comes through, or it can happen gradually over time and go mostly unnoticed. When extreme weather hits Colorado, such as hail storms, wind storms, torrential rains, big snowstorms, and the high-altitude heat and sun exposure, it can cause major roof damage.
Here are some storm-specific roof damages to consider.
• Wind Storms – Membranes, roof tiles and shingles may become loose and fall off after strong winds, which makes your store or business susceptible to inside leaks.
• Hail Storms – Shingles, membranes and roof tiles may fracture and dings may appear on the roof surface, and this weakens the overall roof structure.
• Snow Storms – Snowy roofs can cause a ridge of ice or an ice dam at the edge of the roof or gutter. When this happens, melting snow water accumulates on the roof because it cannot drain, and this causes leaks.
• Rain Storms – Rain does not typically cause roof damage, but rain does exploit any existing vulnerabilities such as cracked membranes and shingles or missing tiles by finding the path of least resistance into your structure.
• Heat – Extreme heat and high altitude cause your roof to age faster and may cause shingles to curl up, crack or tear. This affects the structural ventilation in your building, which in turn affects the indoor temperature.
2. Know the Issues
Knowing is better than not knowing, even if the news is bad. You need to know if your commercial roof is damaged so that you have the opportunity to take action. Consider these issues that may arise with your commercial roof.
Security
Your commercial roof offers protection and security for your business, your inventory, and your employees. Thieves often target businesses, and a broken skylight or hatch is an invitation for thieves to enter your building. A regular roof inspection helps eliminate the danger of illegal entry because the roof inspector will make sure any potential entry point is secured.
Insurance
Your commercial roof insurance coverage may be impacted if you do not get regular roof inspections. If your roof gets damaged and you didn’t have a routine roof inspection, your insurance carrier may not cover the full repair or replacement cost. Check with your insurance provider to find out how often roof inspections are required to keep your policy active.
Hazards
If a water leak gets inside your building and pools on the floor, it can become a hazard to your employees and customers. A slip-and-fall injury that occurs in your business becomes a liability that involves your insurance company and, in some cases,, personal injury attorneys.
Another potential hazard is a fire. You may not think about fire danger with a roof leak, but the water that leaks from the roof goes through the ceiling, and most likely your electrical wiring is in the ceiling. Water can cause the circuits to short out, and this can lead to a fire or electric shock if someone touches the wiring.
Mold
Small roof leaks can cause mold and mildew to grow in the ceiling, and if it’s not addressed quickly, it can spread down the walls. Not only does mold and mildew smell bad, but their presence in your commercial building can also cause allergic reactions for your employees and customers. Mold is a serious health risk and a leaky roof is a major cause of mold.
3. Roof Repairs Cost Less Than Roof Replacements
The cost of a full commercial roof replacement can be very expensive, and emergency roof repairs can also be costly. By doing a bi-annual commercial roof inspection, you are maximizing the lifespan of your roof up to 20 years, which saves you from getting a new roof sooner than you should.
A commercial roof inspector will evaluate the condition of your roof and provide a full roof inspection report with specific details and recommendations for repair. Here are some things that a certified commercial roofing contractor will look for during a commercial roof inspection.
- 1. Roof age. If your roof is 20+ years old, it has reached old age and needs to be evaluated for replacement.
- 2. Blisters. If moisture is trapped just under the roof surface, blisters or bubbles will be present, and this can lead to mold growth.
- 3. Plants. If plants are growing on the roof surface, that means there is moisture in the roof. It may be caused by improper roof drainage.
- 4. Stains. If you see stains on the ceiling inside your building, that’s a sure sign of a roof water leak.
- 5. Cracks. If there are cracks on the exterior of the building or cracks in any of the shingles, moisture will seep into those cracks and mold will grow.
- 6. Paint. If the paint is peeling away from the outside walls, that could be caused by trapped moisture or inadequate ventilation in the building. The roof is a big part of the building’s ventilation system.
- 7. Sags. If there is a low spot on the roof, water will pool in that area. Standing water on the roof always leads to a roof leak.
At Peak to Peak Roofing, our commercial roofing contractors provide a full roof condition report on your commercial roof. We offer a bi-annual roof inspection package to ensure your business is protected. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our certified commercial roof inspectors.