Blisters on flat commercial roof.

Your commercial building roof is one of the most important components of the structure. It protects the building from water damage and keeps the inside safe from extreme weather such as hail or high winds. You need to make sure that you have a solid roof that can withstand all of these forces, but what happens when it gets damaged and needs commercial roof repairs?

There are several types of repairs that might need to be made on a commercial roofing system including holes in the membrane, cracks or ridges developing in seams and damaged vents or chimneys. These can be assessed during inspections by roofing experts to determine the extent of repairing services or if you’ll need a roof replacement. Keep reading to learn about some commonly needed commercial roof repairs.

Poor Installation

Regardless of the roof type, if any commercial or residential roofing isn’t installed properly, it won’t last. Hire an industrial roofing company for your commercial roof installation. Professionals will know building codes, too.

When the project is done right, your new roof will last years. There will also be a warranty so things will get repaired as identified during inspections.

Roof Leaks

Roof leaks can be caused by a host of things: severe weather, missing or broken shingles or damaged gutters.

Asphalt shingles are more prone to leaking than other types of roofing materials like metal or tile. This is due to their flexible nature and potential for expansion when wet—and the fact that they’re usually installed over an attic space that doesn’t have much ventilation available (making them even more prone to dampness).

Aging

Most commercial roof coatings are made from PVC or TPO, which are synthetic roofing systems and include asphalt. Over time, asphalt breaks down and cracks, which leads to leaks. Gutter systems can also fail as they age, lending to roof leaks.

Punctures

Common with single-ply roofing systems, punctures are caused by foot traffic, wind and hail. If there are overhanging trees, falling debris could also poke through the roofing membrane.

Blistering

Built-up roofs, or BUR systems, are layers of asphalt and ply sheets. Blistering, which looks like bubbles, is common with BUR. This is due to poor ventilation or inadequate insulation. Heat from inside the building can cause condensation. The moisture is trapped, causing the blister.

This also happens with shingles and modified bitumen (low-slope roofs that use synthetic materials) and single-ply membranes.

Shrinkage

Roof shrinkage is just what it sounds like: the roofing membrane shortens. It occurs due to poor workmanship when roofers install the membrane, or escaping moisture. This can be identified during inspections, and presents when the roofing pulls from the structure. Roof shrinkage is seen in metal roofing tiles, shingles and EPDM, a strong rubber membrane.

Commercial Roofing Has Different Roofing Needs Than Residential

Commercial buildings have different roofing needs than residential homes. As a result, commercial roofing companies handle a different type of repair. Although they are built to last a long time, roofs on commercial property still need to have regular maintenance.

We suggest two commercial roof inspections a year. This helps identify small repairs that need to be completed to an existing roof.

Many times, the most common repairs with commercial roofs involve leaks or rotting wood due to age and weather conditions. Commercial buildings use different types of roofing systems than residential homes (flat roofs vs. pitched roofs), so when it comes time for repairs, these two types require different methods for maintenance or replacement.

Little to No Roof Maintenance

Metal roofs are more durable than other roofing materials and can last up to 60 years with routine repair services.

BUR is also a good option. Whether in Oklahoma City or New York, this roofing system can handle severe wind and hail.

Trust TEMA For Commercial Roofing Services

There are many different types of commercial roofing systems used on today’s commercial buildings. Some may be a better option depending on your commercial structure and require different repairs. Contact TEMA Roofing Services, your commercial roofing contractor for commercial roof repairs.