Here at Tennessee Roofing & Construction, Inc., we’ve seen just about any problem that you can think of when it comes to commercial roofing. We’ve been around since 1994 and, since then, we have worked with hundreds of businesses to make sure that their roof does not let them down when they need it the most. In today’s post, we wanted to give back a little to our readers and go over some of the most common commercial roof issues that we have experienced and that others are likely to experience with their roof. Continue reading to learn more!
So Many Problems, So Many Solutions
It’s a simple fact that if something is built by humans, that something will eventually break and need repairs. Roofs adhere to this same rule and, in many cases, roofs need more help than most other parts of a structure. Most people may not realize it, but roofs put up with a lot. Intense temperature variations, harsh elements, and the natural degradation that occurs with all structures can come together and really cause some issues if a building owner is not diligent about monitoring the health of their roof. Below, we have listed some of the most common problems that affect commercials roofs and the solutions to said problems.
Problem: The roof starts to leak
Solution: If your roof is leaking, you’re going to have a bad time. Not only is a leaky roof annoying, but it can also quickly turn into an issue where the internal structures of the roof are compromised by water damage. Taking a proactive approach to the health of your roof by implementing a preventative maintenance routine can go a long way in making sure that your roof doesn’t suddenly spring a leak when the summer rains come.
Problem: Billowing, tenting, and blow-offs
Solution: Everyone has seen a roof where some of the shingles have started to come off or a section of the roof just doesn’t quite look like it should. This occurs if the protective elements of the roof are not properly adhered to the substrate. This allows wind to rip off shingles and moisture to get under the roof itself and begin to soak into the main structure. If your roof is experiencing these issues, it is in your best interest to give us a call as quickly as possible. Nipping this problem in the bud is much more cost-effective than ignoring it and having to pay for an entirely new roof.
Problem: Poor installation
Solution: Sometimes, a roof is doomed from the start. If the company that installed the roof did not do a good job, no amount of attention is going to keep the roof from failing in one way or another. To avoid this, ask the contractor who is installing the roof for a checklist of specific items related to the roof system that should be used for information gathering and reporting. Also, be sure to ask about moisture surveys and, if your roof has insulation, make sure that the insulation is surveyed prior to being overlaid.
Problem: Lack of maintenance
Solution: If you don’t maintain your roof, inevitably it is going to have problems. Think of it this way: You perform maintenance on your vehicle (oil changes, tire rotation, changing out the air filter) to make sure that the life of the vehicle is as long as possible. If you don’t do these things, the car will eventually stop working because the parts were not properly looked after. The same logic applies to a roof. To maximize the life of your roof, a maintenance program needs to be adhered to from year one. Spending a little bit of money each month to make sure your roof is in good shape will end up saving money in the long run.
Problem: Ponding Water
Solution: The National Roofing Contractors Association classifies “undesirable” ponding water as water that stands for more than 48 hours in a given spot on the roof. While ponding water is bad from a leak standpoint, it also places great strain on a roof. A 1” deep pond weighs around 5.2 lbs per square foot. This additional weight may pose a threat to the structural integrity of the building if it is not addressed. To eliminate this issue, make sure that your roof has proper drainage channels and that these channels are free of debris to all water to flow easily.
We hope that this blog has been informative and that you learned a few solutions that may help you extend the life of your roof. If you are looking for professional help with your roofing issues, give us a call at 423.842.8826 or send us a message through the contact page located on our website. We will work with you to make sure that your commercial roof is in good shape and that no surprise issues will crop up and impact the integrity of your building.