The Importance of Cleaning Commercial Roofing Gutters
Regular maintenance of your commercial roof is necessary to prolong its lifespan. What most building owners don’t consider is the importance of preventative maintenance treatments that include cleaning the drainage system. Drainage systems are directly related to the health of your commercial roof. If it’s not working correctly, standing water can form adding weight to the roof causing leaks or potential collapse. Water stains on the ceiling or the smell of mold and mildew can project a negative professional appearance. Not to mention, resulting repairs can be very expensive.
Cleaning gutters aren’t just for homeowners. Commercial building owners need to be conscientious too. As we move into a new season, it’s essential to bring in your commercial roofing contractor to give your system an inspection.
HOW ROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WORK
Commercial roofing systems typically have one of two types of drainage installations in place. The first will direct water towards the outer edge into gutters. The second includes driving the rainwater towards internal drains built into the main roof. Building codes dictate which one can be installed. Sometimes there are outlines in the code that requires water flow to move away from the roof so as not to affect structural integrity.
Conventional drainage systems are comprised of a gutter that runs parallel to the roof and a downpipe that is vertical. The entire network relies on gravity pushing the weight of the water into the system and away from the roof. The slight slope in the roof encourages the water down into the gutters which are then transferred to the downpipe/downspout. Designed properly the water volume should not typically exceed more than 1/3 of the downpipe capacity. This provides plenty of room for air to allow the entire operation to work efficiently.
RAINWATER AND YOUR GUTTERS
Your drainage system impacts the integrity of your roof and the stability of your foundation. Clogging will significantly increase the chances of standing water causing leaks, damage, mold, mildew, and more. How much water is ushered away from your roof depends on the depth of the gutter itself. The velocity of the water filtering down can reach around six feet per second which is very fast. To achieve this speed, the downpipe needs to have plenty of room for air.
If the amount of water removed from the roof is commanded by the gutters and the rate by the downpipe, you can imagine any type of obstruction will significantly reduce the entire network’s performance. Leaves and debris that weigh next to nothing deteriorate into a heavy mass clogging drains. They can also block your downpipes. All of which invites mold, mildew, and fungus to develop. The presence of which will eat away at your system and other debris adding to the mass buildup. You can end up with a broken system which may result in a variety of damages to the building.
STANDING WATER AND YOUR ROOF
The materials used to construct your commercial building are designed to withstand external elements. The most critical component to a healthy foundation is proper roof system and drainage network. Rainwater that can’t move down and away from your roof is often referred to as “standing water.”
Its presence is not salutary and is the first indication that there is an issue with your drains. Water is surprisingly heavy. One gallon of water weighs just over eight pounds. Unnecessary weight adds pressure and allows water to infiltrate the building interior.
PROTECT YOUR COMMERCIAL ROOFING SYSTEM
Water damage can happen fast or slow, which means you’ll need regular maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency. Just a few inches of standing water can potentially result in costly building damages. Preventative roof maintenance inspection will:
- Extend the life-span
The quality of your roof revolves around the regular maintenance. Maintained properly and depending on the type of commercial roof system installed, can result in a roof system that will last 40 years.
- Find and eliminate problems
Take steps to find and address small roof problems. Hiring a trusted commercial roofing contractor will identify small issues before they turn into more significant problems.
- Save money
Maintenance checks will save you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs and avoid the need to prematurely replace your roof.
At JBK Roofing Inc., we offer preventative maintenance services that focus on improving the condition of your commercial roof. Visit our website to learn more about our services.