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3 Unexpected Hazards of a Leaky Roof

Whether it’s slight discoloration on a ceiling tile or water stains extending across the ceiling of your commercial building, this issue typically stems from a leaky roof. As a building owner, you need to ensure that these leaks are being tracked down and repaired as quickly as possible. In this brief article, a commercial roofing contractor with Aderhold Roofing will discuss how small leaks can lead to big issues, including mold growth and rotted framing and sheathing. 

Commercial roofing systems can experience less damage and an extended lifespan with regular inspections and timely repairs from a certified roofing contractor. To learn more about how we mitigate a commercial roof leak in Tampa, contact Aderhold Roofing. 

Leaky Roofs Lead to the Presence of Mold

A roof leak combined with condensation will cause moisture buildup, which leads to mold growth. Depending on the size of the leak, this buildup can affect a small area of the roof or continue to grow throughout the entire area. Mold buildup presents a myriad of health issues, including breathing problems, allergic reactions, and serious health conditions for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

To remove mold from your roof, the leak must be identified and repaired. It’s best to have a licensed roofing contractor perform this task as they will mitigate the leak without damaging the roofing system. After the leak is identified and repaired, mold growth should be killed with a fungicide. The attic should then be dried out and mold staining can be performed. 

Related: Why You Should Repair Your Roof Before the Rainy Season Hits

Rotted Framing and Sheathing  

With time, framing and sheathing will deteriorate, delaminate, and rot. When there’s a leak in a roof system, this process will only accelerate. There’s no exact lifespan you can put on the framing and sheathing of a roof system, but if wood gets wet and stays wet for too long, it will begin to decay. Unfortunately, if you see evidence of water intrusion in your commercial building, water damage is already an issue. 

To fix this issue, you will need to discover the source of the water and create a drainage system that moves the water away from the structure. After the framing has dried out, a roofing contractor can assess the damage to the framing and sheathing and determine needed repairs. In most cases, the compromised framing and sheathing will need to be removed and replaced with new pieces. A licensed roofing contractor will assess the structural integrity of the roof and determine what areas of the framing can be safely removed. After replacing or repairing the damaged framing, a roofing contractor will add a new sheathing wrap and siding to add additional protection to the roof system. 

A Commercial Roofing Contractor Can Address Any Leak 

There are a variety of other issues that can arise due to a roof leak, including insulation damage, flooring damage, and a damaged ceiling. Whether your roof is just beginning to show the signs of a leak (discoloration, stains, mold or mildew presence) or your commercial building is experiencing foundation problems as a result of water intrusion, any type of leak in a roof should be considered an urgent issue that requires the attention of a certified commercial roofing contractor with Aderhold Roofing.    

To speak with a professional that can prevent roof leaks in Tampa, or to schedule a consultation, please submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional counsel.

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Top 4 Common Flat Roof Problems

If you own a commercial building, you’re most likely familiar with the advantages of having a flat roof, including cost-effectiveness, practicality, and safety. However, what you may not be aware of is the maintenance concerns unique to flat roofs and the problems you’re likely to encounter if you don’t keep up with regular inspections and repair. Below, a roofing contractor in Tampa with Aderhold Roofing reviews four of the most common problems that occur in flat roofs and how to best handle them. 

Related: 3 Ways Florida Weather Wears at Your Flat Roof

Leaks

One of the most common, if not the most common, problems of flat roofs are leaks. Flat roofs are generally more susceptible to leaks due to their flat surface. Unless the roof is completely level or the appropriate drainage systems are in place, rainwater and runoff is able to pool in any dips or divots in the roof, deteriorating the exterior and shortening the lifespan of your roof. In addition to the fact that leaks will eventually compromise the integrity of your commercial building, they can also lead to the growth of fungus and mold. 

Related: Common Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks

Alligatoring

Also known as blistering, alligatoring is a common problem with flat roofs in which trapped moisture is allowed to build up beneath the surface, causing the membrane of the roof to detach from the layer beneath. This problem is referred to as “alligatoring” due to the fact that the roof begins to crack and bubble, resulting in something that looks like the skin of an alligator. What has happened is that the asphalt used to build your flat roof has aged and lost its elasticity over time. If left untreated, the alligatoring will begin to worsen, leading to splits in the membrane and leaks. 

If you need commercial roof repair for any of the problems listed, contact Aderhold Roofing. We can have a crew up on your roof in no time to inspect the issue and make repairs as necessary. Regular maintenance is key as, during an inspection, our team can identify and address issues, such as blisters in the roofing membrane or alligatoring, before they are able to grow into larger problems. 

Related: Vital Elements Connected to Flat Roof Functionality

Flashing

Flashing is the pieces of metal strips that are applied at any point where your flat roof meets another surface and is important because it prevents water from entering your commercial property. Like other materials, asphalt tends to expand and contract with changing weather and temperatures. Over time, this expansion and contraction can pull the flashing away from the edges and corners of your flat roof, leading to leaks, moisture, and more. 

Flashing can also come loose as a result of poor design. If the roofing contractor did not allow for some movement during the process of installation, the membrane can easily break or become damaged. While it may be tempting to locate the source of the leak and repair the flashing yourself, you don’t know the full extent of the issue at a first glance and can easily cause damage to your home and injury to yourself. Exercise precaution and contact a roofing contractor in Tampa to repair the flashing on your flat roof. 

Related: How to Prepare for These 3 Critical Roof Repairs

Cracks

Due to the fact that flat roofs tend to have more stress and pressure exerted on them than slanted roofs, they’re considerably more prone to cracking as the pressure increases and begins to become excessive. Both blistering and alligatoring can lead to cracks on your flat roof as well. In the event that your roof does crack, you need to contact a roofing professional immediately as the structural integrity of your roof is compromised and you will mostly likely need a roof replacement.

To speak with a professional about commercial roofing repair in Tampa, or to schedule a consultation, please submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional counsel.

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5 Common Threats to Your Commercial Roof

Commercial business owners know the importance of ensuring their properties are hazard-free for their clients. This includes familiarizing themselves with the issues that commonly plague commercial roofs. In this article, a roofing professional experienced in commercial roofing in Tampa will review five of the most common threats to your commercial roof. 

Related: Common Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks

Ponding Water

Ponding water is water that accumulates in small ponds in the low points of the roof for more than 48 hours without draining or evaporating. What may seem like a minor concern is actually one of the largest threats to your commercial roof due to the fact that commercial roofing materials are designed to shed rain rather than withstand ponding water for extended periods of time. Instead, the water will cause your roofing membrane to rapidly deteriorate and rot, leading to leaks and sagging as well as algae and vegetation growth, buildup of debris, and destruction of roof coatings. Worst of all, if the ponding water accumulates in excessive amounts, it can lead to premature roof failure. 

There are several reasons for ponding water, including previous roof leaks that created saturated or compressed roof insulation. However, the most common reason is poor roof design/construction. If your roof is not properly designed or constructed with the appropriate drainage, you are significantly more likely to experience ponding water. Over time, as the building settles, more and more low points will begin to form in the roof deck and any past areas of roof leaks will allow water to seep into the insulation. 

Related: Why You Should Repair Your Roof Before the Rainy Season Hits

Wind

It’s all too easy to think that a little wind could never do any harm to your commercial property. After all, commercial roofs are designed to withstand high winds anywhere from 65 to 90 mph. However, no commercial roof, no matter how strong, is capable of withstanding the extreme winds brought on by a hurricane. Especially if your roof was improperly installed, even 40 to 65 mph winds could result in serious damage to your property. 

Two problems with wind that commercial roofs are likely to experience are wind uplift and wind scouring. During wind uplift, strong winds get underneath the roofing membrane and begin to pull it up from the surface. This issue leaves the roofing membrane no longer securely attached and causes wrinkles or bubbles beneath the surface of your roof. Wind scouring, on the other hand, is when a strong enough wind is able to pull the granules or gravel from your roof. While there’s no immediate negative impact, this can lead to the whole roofing system deteriorating at a faster rate. 

Related: 3 Ways Florida Weather Wears At Your Flat Roof

Trees

Tree damage should be no surprise to anyone in The Sunshine State as we frequently see tree branches as well as entire trees strewn across the pavement following a heavy storm or hurricane. It only makes sense that, should one of these branches or trees fall on your roof, you’re likely to see damage. 

This damage can range from a punctured or scratched roof membrane to clogged drains from debris. One of the most common problems we see in the roofing industry is known as the “Sandpaper Effect,” where the wind is scraping tree branches that have grown onto the roof across the membrane. Semi-annual inspections from a roofing professional who’s trained in commercial roofing in Tampa are so important because they can easily catch issues like fallen leaves clogging roof drains or tree limbs touching the roof. 

Moss

Moss and algae commonly grow on areas of your commercial roof where the sun typically doesn’t shine or is blocked behind a structure of some kind. Similar to ponding water, moss will only grow in wet or moist areas of the roof; however, moss can also grow on tree limbs that may either hang over or fall on to the surface of your roof. 

While moss may not look dangerous at a first glance, its removal is absolutely necessary as, over time, moss establishes roots on your roof and begins the process of roof degradation. These roots can lift up shingles, create holes, lead to bacteria, and eventually expand into your commercial building. 

Roof Leaks 

The last but perhaps the most important threat on this list is roof leaks. Commercial business owners spend millions of dollars each year on repairing damages caused by leaks in their commercial building’s flat roof. From wet insulation to deteriorated concrete roof decking, leaks have the potential to undermine the integrity of your entire commercial building. That’s why, if your roof has become damaged by any of these natural causes or you’re looking to prevent damage in the future, it’s time to partner with Aderhold Roofing — the leading company for commercial roof repair in Tampa.

To speak with a professional about commercial roof repair in Tampa, or to schedule a consultation, please submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional counsel.