Storm damage commercial roof

Commercial roof damage from storms & commercial roof repairs: WHEN they are needed and what to look for after the storm and as regular preventive maintenance.

When you think about the roofing materials used on your commercial building, it is not uncommon to expect them to last a long time. Depending on the product used, most building owners expect a high-quality commercial roof to last a minimum of 5-25 years. However, roofs are exposed to all sorts of elements, from rain, snow, and ice to high winds and extreme temperatures.

Why do Commercial Roof problems occur from storms?

Mother Nature can reduce the expected lifespan of all roofing materials. In addition, certain types of roof damage can be difficult to notice if you do not know what you are looking for to determine the current condition of the roof. To illustrate, after strong thunderstorms and high winds you do a visual inspection of the roof and everything appears to have survived the storm without any damage. However, what you do not know or cannot see is a small crack in caulking or void around the roof vents and other penetrations, where some water has already gotten inside. Then, after a few months and several rain showers, you notice discoloration on your ceiling tiles and realize you have a leaky roof. As you can see, even the smallest areas on the roof could easily be missed when there has been actual damage.

How do I identify roof damage?

To identify roof damage, you need to perform regular inspections after every major weather related event. Take a look at the roofing materials and look for signs of cracks, peeling, blistering, curling up, damage to caulk/roofing tar, and so on. Pay careful attention to areas around the perimeter.

Other signs there could be damage to a roof include:

Signs of mold, mildew, or moss growing on the roof. This indicates excess moisture due to shaded areas with little sunlight. The moisture eventually compromises the roof system and creates a leak.
Standing pools of water on the roof. When water cannot drain away and sits on top of roofing materials, it can and will cause damage.
Loose roofing tiles, membranes, or other materials. If you notice various areas of the roof is loose and slide easily, there is a problem.
Missing sections of roofing materials. If pieces of roofing materials are missing or it no longer looks uniform, the roof has been compromised.
Blisters/bubbles forming under roofing materials. This an indicator that moisture is trapped between the roofing layers.

What happens next?

When you notice damage during your visual inspection, you need to get it repaired immediately to prevent further damage, which can cause more costly repairs. If you think there might be damage but are not sure, contact one of our service professionals for an inspection and …when possible, repaired on the same day. We accept credit/debit… We also specialize in Insurance Claims for roof damage.