Preparing Your Commercial Roof for Spring
Do you or your maintenance crew inspect the roof of your commercial building before the spring? The weather during this season is so irregular that it would be wise to establish regular roof inspections if you haven’t been doing so. This will allow you to avoid many costly repairs if you can address small issues before they become big ones. Commercial roofers will come out and inspect your roof to help you to prepare it for spring. There are also some things that you can proactively do to determine if there are problems before the roofing expert arrives. Here are some things both you and professionals can do to prepare your commercial roof for spring.
What Professionals Will Do to Prepare Your Commercial Roof
1.Inspect the Roof
One of the first things that a commercial roofer will do is inspect the roof. These inspections are routine and don’t indicate there is a problem. However, if there is a problem, the inspection will reveal it. Addressing the issues discovered during the inspection will ensure that your roof will be prepared to handle any unpredictable weather that the spring will bring.
2.Clear Debris
Roofers are typically not responsible for cleaning the roof. However, if there are excessive leaves or other visible debris, the roofer will remove it to ensure that there is no damage beneath the debris. The roofer will also remove leaves and gunk that may have accumulated in the gutters. Keeping your commercial roof free of dirt and debris will keep water from accumulating and causing roof damage once the spring begins.
3.Check the Membrane
The membrane is a lining that keeps water from getting into the building. A commercial roofer will check to ensure there are no tears or holes in the membrane that could cause water or air to penetrate the roof structure. A commercial roofer will repair these tears or holes or recommend replacement if necessary.
4.Look for Pools of Water
Standing water is never a good sign. However, when it comes to commercial roofs, this can sometimes be common. Commercial roofs generally are flat and don’t allow for water to glide off the roof in the same way that slanted roofs on homes do. Usually, it takes longer for the water to evaporate or drain due to the commercial roof’s low slant. An excessive amount of stagnant water on the roof is a problem. This standing water could lead to deterioration of the roof decking which could cause significant leaks in the future. If the commercial roofer finds stagnant pools of water during the inspection, this may indicate that your commercial roof needs to be repaired, especially before erratic spring weather causes further damage.
5.Check the Roof for Deterioration
A deteriorating roof may not only be because of pools of water. The roof may be old and needs to be replaced. A commercial roofer will check the roof for deterioration and rust (on metal roofs). If either is present, it may be time to have the roof replaced, especially before spring.
Things You Can Do Before Professionals Arrive
When it comes to your commercial roof, you should leave it to the experts to do the inspection and any additional work that needs to be done. However, there are a few proactive things you or your general maintenance crew can do to prepare your commercial roof for spring before the experts arrive. You should go to the top floor or attic and determine if there are any visible signs of water damage. Discolored tiles could indicate that there is a leak. You can also check the energy bills and see if there are fluctuations in price over the past few months. Changes in costs could indicate that air pockets need to be sealed for better energy flow.
The roofer can check to make sure flashing is not damaged and ensure that seams around the HVAC equipment are watertight. Another easy inspection you can perform is checking the attic area for animal nests or droppings. This could indicate that critters are getting in and getting in the building through holes in the roof. Once you have made these simple inspections, you can share your concerns with the professional once he arrives for the inspection.
Spring is a very volatile season. It can be filled with lots of rain, tornados, and unusual extremes of frigid and humid temperatures. Ensuring that you prepare your commercial roof for spring will help you avoid more expensive problems that may arise later in the season. Performing simple inspections on your own will allow you to ensure that the roofer addresses your concerns. However, commercial roofers will know what to check to ensure that your commercial roof is ready for spring.
MacDermott Roofing are experts in the roofing industry and have been delivering the highest quality and personalized customer service in the Detroit metro area for over 45 years. If you need your commercial roof inspected, you’ll receive a custom quote from one of our professional estimators who will help you to understand your roofing issues and solution options.
As an industrial roofing company, we maintain, repair, install and replace all types of low-slope and flat roofs for commercial, industrial, municipal, and institutional customers. Call us and speak with a roofing expert today!
