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Why Is My Commercial Roof Leaking?

The last thing any business owner wants to see is water leaking through their commercial roof. Even with routine maintenance and regular repairs, inclement weather can roll through the Tampa Bay Area and leave you with water dripping just above you and your occupants’ heads. If you’re looking for information on how you can prevent roof leaks in Tampa with your commercial building, continue reading to learn more about three of the most common reasons a commercial roof may begin to leak.

Related: Common Causes of Commercial Roof Leaks

Your Flashing Is Damaged

Roof flashings are sections of metal specially designed to protect the outer edges of your roof membrane and seal the area around your chimney, skylights, and other penetrations. Damage to your flashing can be caused by any number of factors, such as improper installation, inclement weather conditions, expansion, and contraction. As this flashing serves to protect the extremely vulnerable seams and joints of your roof from excess water, it’s incredibly important to immediately identify and repair any damage. 

Some of the most common problems associated with defective flashing include blow-offs, billowing, tenting, gapping, and leakage. The more your flashing is allowed to expand, contract, and gradually become loosened, the more likely it is that water will enter the interior of your building under the roof membrane. Additionally, if your flashing breaks altogether, you will likely see deterioration in the underlying structure and ceiling due to moisture damage.

Your Commercial Roof Was Poorly Designed

Roof design is vital to the performance of any commercial roof in terms of guarding against inclement weather conditions, keeping heating and cooling costs low, and protecting the occupants of your building. If your roof is poorly designed, incorrectly installed, or uses lower-grade materials, you’re sure to pay the price. Not only does poor design drastically reduce the life expectancy of your commercial roof, but it can also result in a number of serious issues, such as splitting, blisters, high energy costs, and, of course, roof leaks. 

This is because your roofing system is not effectively designed to drain away rainwater and will instead result in ponding water and blocked gutters. Among an increase in leaks, ponding water is also a frequent culprit of moss build-up, sagging, and increased deterioration of your entire roofing system. If you’re looking to have a new, high-quality roof installed on your commercial property, be sure to turn to a commercial roofer in Tampa with Aderhold Roofing who will provide your roof with the attention to detail, professionalism, and expert design it requires.

Related: 3 Unexpected Hazards of a Leaky Roof

Your Roofing Membrane Is Damaged

The membrane of your commercial roof is designed to prevent water from reaching the interior of your building by sealing the roof. Over time, your roof’s membrane may shrink, blister, crack, or puncture due to age or inclement weather conditions. It may also become damaged due to foot traffic or mechanical damage. When this happens, you’ll likely see visible damage on your commercial roof, such as bubbles, or holes that expose the roof’s insulation. 

When this damage occurs, it allows water to enter your roof, saturate the underlying insulation, and infiltrate the interior of your building. At this point, you are left with no option but to repair or replace the membrane. For more information regarding how a damaged membrane, damaged flashing, or poor roof design may be related to your commercial roof leak in Tampa, give us a call.

To speak with a commercial roofer 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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Should You Repair, Recover, or Replace Your Commercial Roof?

Even though commercial roofing systems are designed to provide your building with long-term performance, it’s not uncommon for a commercial roof to develop problems throughout its lifespan. Fortunately, there are a number of options to correct these problems, including commercial roof repair, recover, and replacement.

In this article, we’ll review three factors to take into consideration when deciding whether to repair, recover, or replace your commercial roof. Although this information is designed to help you better weigh the pros and cons of each option, nothing compares to the expertise and industry experience of the commercial roofing contractors in Tampa with Aderhold Roofing. Give us a call today at (813) 856-1797, and we will go over each of these choices in greater detail and provide you with a thorough inspection to determine whether your roof is a suitable candidate for the option you prefer. 

Extent of Damage

Roof recover and roof repair are, unsurprisingly, much cheaper options than commercial roof replacement in Tampa as you don’t have to pay for the cost of removing the previous roof; however, if the damage to your commercial roof is too extensive, a complete tear-off and replacement may be your best option. The main way that a roofing professional will determine whether your commercial roof is a good candidate for roof recovery is to investigate for moisture presence below the roofing membrane. If extensive moisture is present below the membrane or more than 25 percent of your roof is damaged, it will ultimately be more cost-effective to replace the entire roof. This is because wet insulation, gypsum, and wood blocking will easily deteriorate and lead to more extensive problems down the line, such as mold growth or total roof failure.

On the other hand, if the majority of your roof is still in good condition and your roofing membrane has simply reached the end of its life expectancy, then the most-effective option may be roof recover. For a roofing professional who can perform an inspection and determine whether your commercial roof is a good candidate for any of these options, consult the commercial roofing specialists in Tampa with Aderhold Roofing.

Budget

The next factor to take into consideration is your budget. If you’re trying to stay within a smaller budget and your roof has only sustained minor damages, then roof repair is most likely going to be your best option. Provided that your membrane and insulation are still in good condition, this method of repair will prove less costly than a roof recover or replacement and extend the life of your commercial roof. That being said, if your membrane has reached the end of its lifespan but you’re still looking for a cheaper alternative to a full roof replacement, you’ll want to opt for commercial re-roofing in Tampa. It’s less disruptive, less expensive, and allows for new, extended warranties. 

Total roof replacement will almost always be the most expensive option in this scenario given that your previous roof must be torn off and disposed of before the new roof can be installed. However, this process is still more cost-effective than trying to recover or repair a roof that has sustained extensive damage. With a total roof replacement, you’ll also benefit from reduced maintenance costs, energy savings, and the latest roofing materials in the industry.

Business Plans

Finally, you should also take your business plans into consideration. If you plan on staying in business at your current location for any significant period of time, a total roof replacement is going to be a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, if you’re planning to sell your property within the next few years and are just looking to repair your roof to meet code inspection, then we’d recommend something more along the lines of routine maintenance and roof repair. For those looking to stay even a little while longer, you’re likely to find that the cost of roof repair will outweigh the cost to replace or recover over time, depending on the severity of damage and the lifespan of your roof.

To get a better understanding of all three options and to find out whether your roof is a good candidate for the option you prefer, don’t hesitate to contact the commercial roofing contractors in Tampa at Aderhold Roofing. We’ll perform a thorough analysis of your existing roof system, looking out for moisture in your insulation, an evidence of leak history, and structural instability of the roof deck, before working with you hand-in-hand to make the right decision for your unique roofing needs. No matter which option you choose, we promise to deliver a durable, long-lasting roof that fits your budget and that’s backed by years of industry expertise.

To speak with one of the commercial roofing specialists 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.