Commercial Roofs | The roof is one of your commercial property’s primary defenses against different weather conditions and other natural elements. Care and maintenance are important to keep it in good condition, so it must be done by trusted professionals. You shouldn’t put your commercial roof’s maintenance in the hands of unknown. And inexperienced roofers or it can affect your roofing system’s performance over time. When you search online for “roofers near me”, you should always go for contractors who are reputable in your area.
Whether you own or manage your commercial property, don’t assume that letting your staff take care of the cleaning and maintenance should suffice. You’ll still need an annual inspection by a licensed roofer to keep the warranty intact. It’s always better to leave the job of maintaining your commercial roof to professionals as they have the knowledge, equipment, and experience to do the job right.
It also takes a professional to prevent costly damage and repairs to your commercial roof. Unfortunately, some property owners and managers tend to believe in certain misconceptions about their commercial roofing systems. Believing in these half-truths yourself can lead to costly decisions. So to help you out, our experts at Atrium Roofing debunk them here:
Myth: All Commercial Roofs Are Built the Same
Truth: Just like residential roofs, commercial roofing systems are unique to each warehouse, facility, and any other building. They’re made from different materials ranging from traditional built-up roofs to the more modern single-layer membranous roofs. Several metal roofing options are available as well, so it’s important to know which material meets your needs and preferences.
Common roofing materials used in commercial properties include:
-
Low-Slope Metal Roofing – Modern commercial metal roofs are made from corrugated galvanized steel coated with zinc, along with copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and tin. If you’re considering this, be prepared for a high upfront cost, but also keep in mind that they’re worth the investment. This is because the material offers better longevity, durability, and heat resistance than other roofing systems!
-
Modified Bitumen (Mod Bit) – These types of roofing systems are made with factory-fabricated layers of asphalt. They’re “modified” using a rubber or plastic ingredient. Along with a few other reinforcement materials that are used to increase their strength, flexibility, and stability.
-
Single-Ply Roofing – Also known as TPO, PVC, and EPDM, single-ply roofing systems are easier to apply compared to asphalt-based roofing systems. As a trusted roofing contractor, we recommend this material if your roof doesn’t normally get a lot of human traffic.
-
Asphalt-Based Roofing – The application process may be a bit messy compared to single-ply roofing systems, but this type of roofing is still a popular option. Because of the material’s longevity and durability, it can last around 50 years with regular maintenance.
Myth: Roofs Won’t Need Maintenance When Newly-Installed
Truth: As we mentioned earlier, commercial roofs are only as effective as how they’re properly managed and maintained each year. Even if your commercial property recently had a full roof installation, it must be inspected and maintained at least a year after. You also shouldn’t skip an annual maintenance check because the surface area will always be exposed. Not just to weather but also debris and even foot traffic.
Even if you or your staff has some experience in maintaining commercial roofs. You’ll still likely miss minor details that could indicate damage. If left unaddressed, they can grow to bigger issues and costly repairs. What you need to ensure your roof’s performance and longevity is a licensed professional who can do the job for you. That’s why regular maintenance checks by a professional roofing contractor are needed!
If you haven’t signed up for a preventative maintenance plan yet, you should consider this for your commercial roof. This is essentially like a regular maintenance check, except that you won’t need to call them each time as they’ll automatically be managing your roof’s condition. That means they’ll take care of conducting the roof’s inspections and maintenance routine each time they visit your commercial property. They’ll also remove any unwanted debris and address any issues they might find to prevent further damage and repair costs.
Myth: Wrinkled Membrane Roofs Aren’t a Big Issue
Truth: This type of problem typically appears on mod-bit roofs, and while it isn’t necessarily urgent, it doesn’t mean it can be ignored. Even if only some wrinkles are visible in a few areas, it indicates that there was an error during the installation process. The adhesives beneath the material prevent wrinkling in the first place, so the roofer might have made an error. For instance, the adhesive was too hot when the membrane was placed, causing it to wrinkle and distort.
Another cause behind wrinkled roofs is that the applied bitumen was too cold. In this case, the membrane didn’t adhere properly because it never melted into place. Moisture could also be trapped underneath which can not only cause wrinkles but blisters as well. Either way, the wrinkles must be addressed properly by a trusted commercial roofing contractor to prevent further damage and keep the rest of your roofing system intact!
Myth: Business Operations Should Be Halted During Maintenance
Truth: This isn’t usually needed unless the damage on your roof was on a major scale, such as after surviving extreme weather conditions. But for the most part, this isn’t necessary as professional roofers are flexible enough to go above. And beyond to work while you’re carrying on with your daily business operations. We will, however, need cooperation with your staff to remind your tenants. And/or employees that roof maintenance is ongoing and continue their work safely.
Myth: Roofing Contractors Will Always Recommend Expensive Materials
Truth: Reputable roofing contractors such as us know what’s best for your commercial roof. We won’t certainly recommend low-quality and cheap materials that aren’t worth the investment. Even the most expensive options aren’t always the best solutions either. So we listen to our clients and provide solutions based on their needs and preferences. With our experts at Atrium Roofing, we’ll help you find what’s best for your commercial property!
If you’re searching online for “roofers near me”, check out our top-notch services offered only at Atrium Roofing! We do our job with speed and efficiency, so call us today at (210) 807-6767 or fill out our convenient online form.