4 Signs It May Be Time to Replace Your Commercial Roof

While the roof covering your commercial property may boast higher durability and a longer lifespan than its residential counterparts, this doesn’t make it immune from damage. Most flat roofs are also susceptible to leaks in ways that many sloped roofs are not, such as the tendency to develop ponding. Rather than wait until your roof has reached the end of its lifespan or is about to fail and leave you dealing with costly water damage, it’s best to make yourself aware of some of the most common signs that your existing roof needs to be replaced ahead of time. Should you notice any of the signs described in the article on your commercial roof, be sure to get in contact with Aderhold Roofing for commercial roof replacement in Tampa.

Related: Should You Repair, Recover, or Replace Your Commercial Roof?

1. Ponding Water

When properly designed, installed, and maintained, most commercial roofs have enough slope and proper drainage systems in place to drain water. On the other hand, if water is unable to drain or evaporate and remains on your commercial roof for 48 hours or more, then your roof is experiencing something known as ponding. Depending on the condition of your roof and the materials used to construct or restore it, ponding may not always be a major issue.

 

However, in any case, you’ll always want a quality roofing contractor in place who will be able to assess the seriousness of the issue and provide a solution, if necessary. One situation which may require a complete roof replacement is if the ponding has led to cracks and water has been able to seep into the layers of the roof. This can seriously harm the surface of your roof and shorten the lifespan of your roofing system.

2. Damaged Flashing

Flashing, or the metal strips attached to all the seams and edges of your roof, is used to divert water away from some of the most vulnerable parts of your roof. When flashing cracks, bends upward, becomes rusted, or otherwise gets damaged, it won’t be able to shed water away from the protrusion, and there’s a good chance that water will be allowed to get in your building. Not only do these leaks start slow, but they are also difficult to detect as they may create damage far away from the entry point. Conducting routine roof maintenance is critical to preventing this type of damage.

Related: Why You Need to Plan Now for Commercial Roof Replacement

3. Blistering

A roof blister is a raised area of the roof where there is a loss of adhesion due to the roofing materials stretching, either from the heat or direct sunlight. The raised areas are then allowed to fill up with air or water and, if left untreated, will continue to expand and grow until they tear off the roofing materials, leaving you with extensive damage and repair costs. Blistering can be caused by a number of factors, including improper ventilation and improper roof installation. The most common occurrence in which roof replacement is necessary is when the problem is allowed to worsen and moisture is allowed to infiltrate the building.

4. Rips and Tears in the Membrane

Finally, one of the easiest ways to tell if it’s time to replace your commercial roof is to assess whether there is considerable and irreparable damage to the roof membrane. For example, many types of critical equipment like HVAC systems and generators require regular maintenance. During the installation and maintenance of these systems, there’s always a possibility that your roofing membrane could become torn, punctured, or otherwise damaged. Your best option to catch this damage in its tracks and avoid total roof failure is to have your commercial roof inspected before and after any major work performed on rooftop equipment. If you’ve noticed any one of these signs of commercial roofing damage on your building, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our commercial roofing contractors in Tampa.

To speak with a roofing professional regarding commercial roof replacement 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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