As with residential roofs, commercial roofs are exposed to significant winter hazards that can compromise their structural integrity and cause costly damage. Commercial roofs cover much more area and are at greater risk of damage than residential roofs because they are typically flat and often experience higher foot traffic.
Regular maintenance can keep your commercial roof safe.
However, there may be problems with roofs that develop exclusively in winter, due to the cold, icy conditions.
Here are six winter threats to your commercial roof you should be aware of, so you can address them quickly and efficiently to minimize significant business expenses and productivity lapses.
Leaks
Leaks can be a nuisance year-round. However, they can become more problematic in winter. This is usually because winter conditions can damage commercial building roofs, creating openings.
Openings can lead to roof leaks, which may eventually cause mold growth and slip-and-fall incidents.
These issues could put building visitors and occupants at risk and lead to an OSHA investigation of your company.
High Energy Bills
A commercial roof in poor condition may be doing more than creating slip hazards or mold growth. Failing to maintain your commercial roof properly can increase energy costs, especially in winter or summer. Openings in the roof may cause the HVAC system to work harder than necessary, increasing costs and accelerating the need to repair or replace it.
Heavy Snow and Ice Damage
Another risk to commercial roofs in winter is the risk of heavy snow and ice. When snow and ice accumulate on a flat commercial roof, they may remain for several days before melting. This heavy load can damage the plywood or other materials on the commercial roof. The heavy weight could create openings in the roof, leading to leaks. It could also cause a roof collapse if not adequately maintained.
Damage from Projectiles
As winds pick up in fall and winter, they could cause more damage than expected. Strong winds may launch sharp projectiles and embed them in the roof. Foreign objects in the roof could cause damage that ultimately leads to leaks. Another weather-related projectile that could cause roof damage is hail. As with residential properties, hail damage is covered by insurance but has a limited timeframe for repair.
Ice Dams
Another problem that may develop with your commercial roof in winter is ice dams. As with residential properties, improperly insulated attics or attics without insulation at all may cause this phenomenon.
Ice dams typically form when heat within a building rises to the attic. Heat trapped in an attic that isn’t insulated or is improperly insulated will distribute unevenly across the roof. Snow that accumulates on the roof will melt unevenly, leaving a snow-and-ice mixture that can damage the roof.
Some of the snow that melts may form projectiles that can harm passersby on your property or damage your gutters.
Clogged Drains
A common issue on commercial roofs is clogged drains. The drainage system on commercial roofs is much more complex than that on residential roofs. Gravity systems are typically installed to carry water off flat roofs to the trench drains for filtration.
As with residential roofs, commercial roofs can become blocked by leaves, pine cones, twigs, and other debris, causing water to pond in some areas. This stagnated water can cause leaks and structural damage.
Protecting your commercial roof from these potential winter threats is critical to ensure business continuity. However, we encourage you to develop a regular maintenance plan for your commercial roof to prevent a catastrophic collapse that could affect your business.
Schedule Commercial Roof Service in Metro Detroit
MacDermott Roofing delivers expert commercial roofing – maintenance, repairs, and installations – so you can protect your building and extend roof life. Call our Metro Detroit team today to schedule your appointment.