Commercial Buildings: 8 Common Roof Problems

Roof issues are inevitable; something is bound to go wrong due to human activity or natural events.

However, you need to ensure that your roof performs properly and lasts long. To do that, you must know when your roof has problems.

Do you want to know the common roof problems in commercial buildings? Read on to learn more.

1. Roof Leaks

Your commercial building will likely have leaks at one point. Though the problem may seem small and insignificant, you should never ignore it.

A roof leak can be contributed by many factors broadly classified as age-related wear and tear, poor installation, or acute damage. Any of these factors can actually contribute to roof leaks occurring.

Some of the signs that may indicate you have a leak on your roof include;

• Odors in certain rooms

• If you notice stains on your ceiling

• Bulged patches on your exterior walls

• Missing shingles, among others

You can visit https://saltlakeroofing.com/commercial/ to find the best commercial roofing company to fix the roofing problems.

2. Pooled Water

If water starts pooling on your roof, it might be a cause of concern in the long run.

Water may stagnate on the surface of your roof if the drainage system is not sufficient for the structure. Water pooling can also be caused by debris in drains.

Additionally, your commercial property can experience drain issues if the roof angle is inefficient to guide water into the drains. If water remains standing on your roof for more than 48 hours, your roof structural integrity may be at risk.

You can minimize this problem by ensuring that drainage systems are kept clean.

3. Roof Punctures

A puncture on your roof may occur when weight and intense pressure are applied, thus creating holes in the roofing material. Punctures may also be caused by strong winds that might bring stray materials that hurl against your roof.

Heavy traffic on your roof may also affect the roofing materials beneath.

You can reduce the chances of punctures developing on your roof by trimming trees around your building to prevent debris from falling on your roof. Additionally, you can build walkways around the roof so that technicians working on your roof can use them.

However, if your commercial property roof has punctures, you should not attempt DIY. Consider hiring a professional roofer with the knowledge and experience to repair the roof.

4. Roof Shrinkage

Roof shrinkage is a common issue among roofs made from EPDM.

When your commercial building roof begins to shrink, it will pull flashings and cause them to crack, split, and permit moisture in. Roof Shrinkage can be caused by poor quality roofing material, improper installation, or poor workmanship.

However, you can minimize the chances of roof shrinkage by using a high-quality EPDM membrane. Additionally, hire only the best roofing company that can spot potential problems with the design of the membrane.

5. Roof Surface Erosion

Erosion of roof surfaces is a common problem with asphalt shingle roofs. Extreme granule loss can bring the end of your asphalt shingle roof.

Roof surface erosion can occur due to defective products, hail damage, foot traffic damage, or normal wear. If your asphalt roof experiences severe granule loss, it may certainly start leaking.

You can minimize the risk of roof erosion by hiring certified roofing contractors who work with quality products. You should also have your roof inspected annually to identify roof issues.

If you start seeing granule deposit in your roof gutter, which is one inch or more, your roof has a problem and might need to be replaced.

6. Roof Blow-Offs

Well, wind uplift can cause roof-blow-offs.

This occurs when the wind hits the side of your building and then proceeds over the top. What happens is that a suction pressure is created over your roof.

Suction pressure can pull weak or improperly installed roofing materials.

To reduce the chances of blow-offs picking your roof, you should choose the best roofing contractor. Also, ensure that your roof is regularly inspected for damages or weak parts.

Additionally, if you still have an old roof, you should consider installing a new one before the storm season.

7. Damaged Flashing

Damaged flashing can cause water to deflect from seams and joints.

Though roof flashing is made from steel or aluminum, it is still susceptible to cracking or warping. Other things that increase the risk of flashing damage include; poor installation poor repair aging, among others.

Since the flashing protects the most vulnerable parts of your roof from damage, you mustn’t delay when your roof has such a problem. Hire a roofing contractor to inspect your flashings and fix the issue.

8. Clogged Gutters

Your gutters can get clogged or broken and thus causing water to back up into the system.

Gutters can get clogged due to different factors, including leaves, twigs, or debris. Ice damming in the gutter and bad downspouts can also cause drains to clog. However, you can protect your roof from clogging by;

• Install thick gutter guards

• Installing rain gutter heat tapes

• Doing regular maintenance

You can also consider installing specially molded stainless steel mesh to filter water and prevent debris, leaves, twigs from going into the gutter.

Avoid Common Roof Problems

Does your roof have any of the roof problems highlighted above?

Don’t delay; hire a professional roofer to immediately fix the problem. If allowed to progress, the issues can worsen, making the repair more expensive. Additionally, you may need to replace the whole roof if the problem intensifies and lead to structural issues.

However, consider contacting a roofing contractor if you are unsure whether your roof needs repair or replacement.

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