How your Roof’s Architecture will Influence your Necessary Maintenance

The two broadest categories of roof are sloping and flat, although for commercial roofs, flat is the ongoing standard.

Roof's Architecture

Each type of roof requires different forms of maintenance. It’s important to be cognizant of the needs that your particular category entails, as a properly maintained roof will last longer and will ensure that your building is adequately protected, resulting in significant cost savings.

Flat Roofs: The Better Option

Water is much more likely to pond on an older flat roof, so it is important that flat roofs are inspected for pooling after a significant rainfall. Any pooling water should be removed within 48 hours to avoid permanent damage to the roof, although it should be noted that it’s best to have your roofing professionals do the inspection. Going on a roof yourself can be dangerous to yourself and hazardous to your roof.

New or refinished flat roofs, if installed correctly by a reputable flat roofing contractor shouldn’t see an ongoing issue with pooling, as your roofing company will have installed an antiquate drainage system.

Large industrial flat roofs may have several hundred feet of flashing surrounding the perimeter of the roof. This flashing should be inspected twice yearly and following major storms, as flashing is particularly vulnerable to being damaged by winds. It is important that damage flashing be replaced, because it is designed to project joints, which can leak if not in proper condition. Damaged flashing can be replaced in sections, so you won’t be left having to repair large sections of your roof if damaged, saving you both time and money.

As well, an adequate level of ballast (i.e. gravel) may be used on some flat roofs. Ballast protects the roof from the elements and also needs to be maintained.

As is also the case for sloped roofs, gutters and downspouts which should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure water can flow and drain properly. Just like in your home, natural debris can buildup in your commercial building’s gutters, and the only way to ensure they’re working properly is to do regular checkups.

Sloped Roofs: The Older Option

It’s uncommon today for a roofing company to suggest installing a sloped roof, as they’re costly and cause more problems than flat roofs do. A sloped roof needs to be inspected more often than flat roofs to determine if any areas are broken or worn out.

Any cracks around daylighting or other protrusions should be identified and sealed using the proper outdoor-rated sealant or caulking.

Many of the maintenance techniques described here may seem relatively simple, however, it is important that these tasks are completed properly to ensure leaks are eliminated and the problems don’t worsen. If you are concerned about problems with your roof, contact our team today! We’re fully equipped to carry out any of the maintenance measures described here, and any other issue your roof might face.

6 Warning Signs you Need a New Roof

Whether you’ve bought a new warehouse or have simply been in your commercial building for many years and have become worried about the structure of your roof, consider these six warning signs your ultimate check list to knowing whether or not you might need a new roof.

New Roof

  1. Water is pooling on your roof
  2. Water remaining pooled on a roof for more than 48 hours is a sign that your roof is not draining properly. Pooling could be the result of a clogged drainage system, which may be a relatively easy fix. However, it could also indicate the existence of more serious damage, such a buckling and warping of roofing materials.

    Either of these situations should be addressed immediately as standing water can cause rot, which may affect the structural integrity of the roof.

  3. Interior water damage is visible
  4. Interior water damage (such as a sagging ceiling, dark spots, and mold/ mildew growths) are signs that your roof is failing to drain properly. If visible water damaged is noticed, an experienced roofing professional should be contacted immediately to assess the situations and recommend a course of action.

  5. Flashing is damaged
  6. Flashing is sheet metal trim that is installed over joints on a roof – whether around the perimeter or protrusions – that keeps water from entering the joint. Flashing is particularly vulnerable to damage caused by high winds, so it’s a good idea to check flashing after severe storms.

    While individual sections of flashing can be replaced, damaged flashing can indicate that water may have entered the roof, causing more serious problems. An experienced roofing professional will be able to asses whether or not this is the case.

  7. Blistering is visible
  8. Blistering (i.e. bumps) on the roof indicate that air and moisture is trapped under the roof’s membrane. Extensive blistering is a serious cause for concern, as the water trapped under the membrane could be damaging to the roof deck.

  9. There are cracks and punctures on the roof
  10. This is an obvious sign that water is able to permeate the roof. Holes and cracks should be addressed immediately, as significant rainfall could enter the crack and cause flooding.

  11. There is significant staining on top of the roof
  12. If there are large areas of the roof that are discolored, it’s likely that moisture has failed to drain from those areas over a prolonged period. This situation should be immediately investigated by a roofing professional, as this could be an indication of severe water damage sustained over time.

While it is important to know if your roof has been subject to wear and tear, it can be dangerous to go on your roof yourself, and you can even end up damaging it even more. To prevent further damage from occurring, call our team to check your commercial roof for you.

Increasing Demands for Solar-Ready Roofs

Solar power generation technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. Even if a building owner may not want to install solar panels at the moment – it is quite possible that he or she may wish to make the investment at some point in the future, considering how quickly the industry is growing. As such, it is prudent for newly constructed roofs and buildings to be ‘solar ready’.

Solar-Ready Roofs

In certain areas, such as California for example, it is generally required by law that all new commercial properties be built to solar standards. While that is not the case in Ontario, anyone installing a new roof should still consider upgrading for these possibilities, as this will result in drastic cost-savings in the long term if the decision to install the panels is eventually made. Not only that, but it will likely increase the resale value of your property, should you be looking to sell in the near future.

Here is a brief overview of the main factors that make a roof solar ready:

  1. Rooftop obstructions should be minimized
  2. Obstructions on the roof, such as machinery, should be kept to a minimum. If it is necessary to mount some equipment on the roof, as will often be the case, the equipment should be grouped together and confined to as small an area as possible so that there will be a large open area on which to install solar panels.

  3. The load bearing capacity of the roof must be adequate
  4. The roof must be able to bear the load of an array of solar panels. Not only does it have to be able to hold the weight of the panels themselves, but also the snow that may accumulate on the roof, and the wind that may bear extra weight on the roof. To ensure that a roof can handle it, building owners will have to consult with a roofing company who are experienced with installing heavy structures on heavy roofs.

  5. Mounts should be installed
  6. Any solar panels eventually installed will have to be mounted to the roof. Installing these at the time or roof construction will almost always be cheaper than doing so after the roof is constructed, making it a smart investment for anyone interested in making the change in the future.

If you’re looking have your roof upgraded, or are looking to build an entirely new building altogether, contact our experts on what you need to do to get a solar-ready roof!