Like residential roofs, commercial roofs need regular maintenance. A commercial roof must always be in good shape to be safe for employees and customers and be up to code. Homeowners might let some things go with their roof. They shouldn’t, but they do anyway. The owner of a commercial property whose roof isn’t sound might see their business shut down. Here are some things about commercial roof maintenance that might surprise you.
Most Commercial Roofs Are Flat, and That’s a Problem
Most residential roofs have some kind of a pitch, but most businesses have flat roofs. Because of this, it’s hard for water to drain. Flat roofs need drains or openings that let the water clear out, but if maintenance is negligent, they could clog with debris. This leads to puddles that can grow so heavy that they cause the roof to sag or even collapse. A collapse would be bad enough if it happened when the business was closed. A collapsing roof during business hours is a whole other level of horror. So, one urgent maintenance goal is to keep the roof dry. This means making sure the drainage areas are clear. If they’re badly clogged, a plumber might have to come and use a snake. Then, a maintenance worker can push the water out with a push broom or some kind of vacuum pump.
Egg-Frying Heat
A good number of commercial businesses have white roofs, which reflect sunlight and the heat it brings. Many commercial roofs are dark, so it can get hot enough to fry an egg on them. This can cause materials such as rubber or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) to degrade. A roofer also needs to keep this sort of damage in mind when they inspect a commercial roof. They should also be aware of damage caused by extreme swings in temperature.
Lost Warranties and Other Problems
Though homeowners may need to have their roof inspected if they want homeowner’s insurance, a business owner must have their roof inspected for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’ll lose their warranty if the roof isn’t inspected at least twice a year and after major storms. They might also need their roof inspected not only to keep up their insurance but to keep up their lease agreements and to abide by local safety codes.
It’s easy to take the roof of your big box store for granted, but its maintenance is as important as maintenance for your own roof. When you need commercial roofing services in Wilmington, NC, contact RoofVantage.
