How to Protect Your Commercial Roof from Storms
September 16, 2021
The roof of your commercial structure is an important asset that needs protection. When problems arise, financial headaches are liable to follow, and you need commercial roof repair services to deal with the fallout. Commercial roofing problems can be costly. That is why you need the services of a commercial roofing company in Toronto to apply the correct solution for the problem. If you anticipate a severe weather event on the horizon, you need to take steps to prevent damage to your building. Commercial roofing companies can offer advice to help with the problems you will face, and they will share tips for what you can do to maintain your roof and protect it from the storms and weather events that will cause damage.
10 Ways to Protect Your Commercial Roof from Storms
Plan for the Worst
Like every Boy Scout, you need to be prepared, and you can never be too prepared for Mother Nature when she unleashes a storm. Sunny skies can cloud over to dark, ominous threats to your building. Taking precautions is basic human nature, and you won’t be disappointed if the plans you made aren’t enacted. But you will be unhappy if you don’t create a plan when an untimely weather event damages your building.
Make a Maintenance Plan
In and of itself, a storm doesn’t produce the type of damage that will crater your building. The problem lies in the neglect of the structure and the roofing system close to ageing out or its usefulness. Drainage systems that won’t distribute water, cracks in the roof membrane or flashing failure can lead to extensive damage that can be avoided if you move in the right direction to eliminate the problems beforehand. Your roof isn’t an install it and forget it proposition; it needs care and attention to live the entire lifespan it was created for.
Inspect Flashings
The flashing is installed on a roof because it joins two roof sections, sealing it to thwart water leaks. The flashing is your roof’s soft underbelly and can fail first before other components of your roof. A roof inspection that focuses on the flashing is the best way to go when trying to prevent flashing failure. When selecting a contractor, you should vet them for the veracity of their claims as a roofing contractor and ask them if the previous work was done correctly. If you have any doubts, bring in a roofing consultant to represent your interests.
Inspect Your Gutters, Downspouts and Drains
Your drainage system can be the biggest ally or worst enemy when it comes to a storm. If the system is clogged or working at reduced efficiency, water will stagnate and pool on the roof create an extra weight that the roof wasn’t designed to support. Investing in quality equipment that will move water effectively is the best way to stop pooling water from accumulating on the roof. Be mindful of the damage ice dams can do to a drainage system, and keep a vigilant eye on your roofing system in the winter. A fall roof inspection will bring problems into the open and give you lead time to correct them before the winter storm season.
Also Read: Preparing Your Gutters for the Harsh Winter Weather
Check Your Roof-Mounted Equipment
Many commercial buildings house their HVAC system of the roof; you need to know that it is securely attached and has no avenue for leaks to arrive in your building. In the main, all HVAC systems are securely mounted in place, but one weather event can jar them slightly out of place, and that is how water invades your roof. Too, if you have solar panels or skylights, make sure they are affixed tightly to keep moisture at bay. If you feel that the weather event bearing down on your building is significant enough to warrant removal of addition on the roof, it is worth the effort. Weather won’t just knock out equipment installed on the roof; it can impugn the roof itself, creating enormous costs for repair or replacement.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
If a significant weather event has blown through your area, don’t hesitate to inspect your roof for signs of damage. This should be a no-brainer when we think of good roof health, and it should be an addition to your roofing maintenance plan. Use a third party specializing in roof inspections and concentrate your roofing inspection plan for a twice-annual inspection – one in the fall and one in the spring. In their infancy, the problems you find can be the difference between a minor roof repair and roof replacement.
Replace Missing or Damaged Shingles
The shingles on any roofing are where the rubber meets the road during a weather event. All that the weather can throw at them impacts your shingles, and it is essential to maintain a 100 percent shingled roof. If you notice missing shingles, curled or cracked shingles, they need to be replaced immediately. Of note, if you see that the shingles are becoming discoloured, it might be time to replace the roof as the shingles are showing signs of old age and could fail at any moment.
Also Read: What to Look for When Detecting Hail Damage on Shingles
Tree Trimming and Cutting Overhanging Branches
Who doesn’t love trees? Nobody, but they pose a health hazard for your roofing system. Branches and leaves will pile up on the roof and prevent proper water drainage, forcing pooling to occur on the roof. Water is invasive and will find cracks and seams to enter your roofing system, and it makes sense to take proactive action to prevent this hazard from becoming a risk to your roofing system.
Remove Debris
When you have debris building up on the roofing system, it can be a slow death for your roofing system. The material will be washed into the drainage system, where it will create bottlenecks for drainage. We have all seen water spilling over gutters, which should tell you that a clog is present. More to the point, when water is draining to places it isn’t intended, it can create other problems. Foundations are susceptible to water damage, and landscaping can be a victim of unwanted water, not to mention mould and bacteria growth from stagnant water.
Prevent Ice Dams
Melting of snow and then refreezing the water when the temperature drops after the sun goes down cause ice dams. It is mission critical that this sequence of events is stopped – ice and water shields are an excellent investment to add the layer of protection your roof needs to fight office dam problems. When installed, the ice and water shields are securely sealed to the underlayment, and that means either won’t move in the event of a weather catastrophe. If an ice dam were to form on the roof, you have peace of mind knowing it is a small problem when you have addressed the ice and water shield solution.
Trust Integrity Roofers to Protect Your Commercial Roofing System
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