As a commercial property owner, you're probably accustomed to the costs associated with most major building repairs and maintenance. However, one of the things that many commercial business owners struggle with is determining the best course of action for their commercial roofing care. When it comes to commercial/industrial roofing care, you have three major avenues to consider if you're dealing with maintenance and repairs. Here's a look at what you need to know about sealing, resurfacing, and replacing your commercial roof, including how to know which one you need based on your roof's condition.
Does Your Roof Need To Be Sealed?
Most commercial roofing, especially in industrial environments, is flat roofing. That means that your roof won't have the same drainage benefit as sloped roofing, so water won't necessarily run off as easily. This prolonged exposure to water, along with direct sunlight on the roofing material, can cause the roofing surface to deteriorate.
Roofing sealant helps to form a protective barrier over the top of your building's roofing materials. Usually, once the roof is installed, the final stage of that installation is sealing. Then, your roof will typically be re-sealed every couple of years to help prolong its lifespan and ensure adequate protection from many of the elements.
If you've had your roof inspected recently and the roofing contractor noticed any signs of wear or deterioration, but there isn't enough damage to warrant any kind of concern, that's a good indication that it's time to have the roof re-sealed. Having it sealed now will help to prevent any further deterioration for the next couple of years, potentially saving you from costly repairs in the near future.
Does Your Roof Need To Be Resurfaced?
If your roofing contractor's inspection reveals that your roof's condition has gone beyond just basic surface weathering, re-sealing may not be the best solution. In fact, if there are indications of discoloration, bubbling, or similar moderate damage, your roofing contractor may suggest that you have the roof resurfaced.
Resurfacing is the process of applying a whole new roofing surface over the top of the existing one. This covers the entire roof in new roofing material, prolonging the lifespan of your roof and protecting it from continued damage. Issues such as bubbling and discoloration, when left unaddressed, can lead to cracking, leaks, and more severe issues otherwise. Having the roof resurfaced will create a solid barrier over the roof that's thicker than a fresh coat of sealant, providing greater protection.
However, it's important to note that most areas include code restrictions for commercial buildings that only allow you to resurface the roof once. When the roof is in need of further care later, you'll have to have the roofing replaced next time.
Does Your Roof Need To Be Replaced?
For most business owners, roofing replacement is the last resort and one that's only chosen when it's absolutely necessary. Given the impact on business operations and the effect on the company's bottom line, that can be understandable. As a result, though, you need to understand when roofing replacement is truly necessary.
The biggest single factor that indicates a need for replacement of your building's roof is if you're seeing water spots on the ceilings or inside the interior walls. Those water spots are an indication that your building's roof is leaking. Left unaddressed, this can cause severe structural damage and may lead to a roof collapse that could cost you substantially in structural repairs, not to mention the cost of any damaged equipment or injuries.
Additionally, if your roofing contractor notices any signs of sagging, this could indicate structural weakening beneath the roof's surface. You'll need to have the roof replaced in this case as well, because those roofing supports will need to be inspected, repaired, or replaced.
Talk with your roofing contractor today about your company's roof inspection results. He or she can help you determine which of these actions is the best option for your situation.
The strong roof is one that has been carefully selected for your home, according to the local climate and your home's structure. The strong roof is one that you've taken the time to maintain, season after season. It's a roof that is protected by good insulation and a good warranty. Do you have a strong roof? As you check out the articles on this website, you'll come to a better understanding of what it means to have a strong roof and what you can do to keep your roof strong. We hope you enjoy reading these articles we've collected for readers like you.