The Do's & Don'ts of Commercial Roof Repairs & Replacements
Regular maintenance inspections of your roof will help improve efficiency, lower electricity bills, and reduce the cost for substantial repairs. Professional examinations should be conducted at least twice a year, but there are some warning signs you can look out for that indicate more extensive problems. Keep your roof performing optimally by following this list of dos and don’ts of commercial roof repairs & inspections.
THE DO’S & DON’TS OF ROOF REPAIRS & REPLACEMENTS
COMMERCIAL ROOFING DO’S
The first step is to look for exterior damages, dents to the metal. Before the heavy rain and sleet sets in there shouldn’t be blemishes that could result in more extensive problems. Issues you are looking for are rust, stains, warping, mold or anything else that seems out of the ordinary. If you see standing water that could be indicative of a more significant problem. But, don’t jump to conclusions if you’ve recently had wet weather. Keep an eye on it. If it’s still there in a couple of days, then you need to get your roofing contractor out to for a maintenance inspection.
DO KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE A FLAT OR SLOPED METAL ROOF
The first thing you want to do is confirm whether you have a flat or sloped roof. The commercial roof maintenance and inspection will be a little different for each. A flat roof has a different drainage system that needs monitoring as well as a sloped. Confirm the difference so you can appropriately prepare.
DO GO UP TO YOUR ROOF AT LEAST EVERY QUARTER
You need to be familiar with your roof to recognize when it’s not behaving correctly. Flat roofs might experience more standing water than a sloped, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. If it lasts for days, you need to have someone check it. However, if you aren’t going up there, you won’t know that it needs this kind of attention.
DO HAVE THE GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS CLEANED
A clogged gutter or downspout can cause unnecessary water damage. Leaves and other debris can backup the system sending rainfall back onto the roof. After every major storm and at the change of every season have the gutters cleaned to prolong the life of your metal roof.
DO CALL A ROOFING CONTRACTOR IF THERE IS MOLD PRESENT
Any sign of mold, especially black mold is dangerous for your health and those who use the commercial building. Call your roofing contractor when you see mold and have them look for leaks, tears, or other damages that allow water to get inside the building.
Early mold detection & treatment JBK Roofing will lead to a longer and stronger lifespan for your business’s roof.
DO LOOK FOR GAPS IN THE SEAMS
The seam is where one-panel stops and another begins. Proper installation won’t allow water to penetrate, but over time these areas can start to wear. Because these areas are vulnerable, check them regularly. Look for loose screws, panels swelling, or discoloration. Inspect them after every major storm
DO CHECK FOR DISCOLORATION
It’s hard to imagine a roof not experiencing a little rust and discoloration over time. It is perfectly reasonable, but there is a difference when it becomes excessive or spans a much larger area. Rust and stain mean there are some water issues or the material is weakening under the elements. A quick trip up to your roof each month will help you monitor changes.
COMMERCIAL ROOFING DON’TS
DON’T IGNORE MOISTURE INSIDE THE BUILDING
Water stains on the ceiling or wall is a warning sign you might need a new commercial roof and that there is a problem with moisture. The first thing you want to do is inspect your roof. Call your local metal commercial roofer, and have them complete a roof maintenance check. Sometimes water is sneaky. You might not see a stain, but it’s present it starts to smell like mildew.
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE ATTIC VENTILATION
Some commercial properties have attics, and they need to be well ventilated. An attic will regulate the temperature and prevent moisture from forming. Moisture is damaging to the roof and the structure of the building. If you aren’t sure what you are looking for, you can hire a professional who will help you.
DON’T LEAVE METAL ROOF SCREWS LOOSE
Loose screws invite a lot of unnecessary problems. Almost every metal roof will have thousands of exposed screws. Fix them as soon as possible, and you can avoid leaks. Have them checked regularly as a preventative step. It’s easy to tighten them back down. If you don’t, you could end up with hundreds of dollars worth of repairs.
DON’T IGNORE TRIMMINGS & FLASHINGS
The trimmings and flashings are the barriers between the roofing panels and the finishing. If there are issues with either of these your building’s structure could be at risk. Be on the lookout for discoloration, warping, or materials peeling away from each other.
DON’T OVERLOOK SAGGING & DIPS IN YOUR ROOF
Your roof should be able to bear its own weight and that of any weather. If there is sagging or dipping, your roof is carrying additional weight. Most likely it will be from water, but it can also result from debris piling up. It’s an indication there is something wrong with the drainage system. A DIY inspection should take place every six weeks. A professional review should happen twice a year.
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR CHIMNEYS, VENTS & SKYLIGHTS
Vents, skylights, and chimneys are potential weaknesses in your roofing system. The edges can allow water to get inside. If that happens, you are looking at internal and external damages. You can check them from inside the building once a month to confirm there’s no water. Every six weeks or after a major storm, check these areas from the roof.
COMMERCIAL ROOFING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Your commercial roof is a big investment and warrants time and attention. One way you can do this is by hiring a respectable contractor like JBK Roofing for preventative maintenance inspections. It can extend the life-span of your roof and save you hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars in repairs because it catches problems early.
Contact JBK Roofing to inspect your commercial & industrial roofing system.