Industrial roof after a repair.

In the year 2022, about 114.8 billion dollars was invested in the construction of commercial properties. If your business was one of them, then you already know the hassle of getting a new roof replacement for your building.

Using the correct roofing material, practicing proper maintenance and repairing roof leaks and other issues when needed can save your business multiple headaches (and money). Learn all about industrial roof repair in this detailed beginner’s guide.

The Best Roofing Materials for Your Property

Choosing the right material for your industrial roof is the first step in a job well-done. Here are three common types of industrial roof materials, along with their advantages:

1. TPO

This single-ply roofing membrane known as Thermoplastic Polyolefin is composed of polyprophylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. It provides excellent insulation, which in turn reduces electricity bills.

EPDMs and TPOs are UV and heat resistant.

TPO is typically installed in a fully adhered system, allowing the white layer to remain exposed.

2. Metal roofing

Metal is an excellent roofing material: waterproof, durable, fireproof and low-maintenance. Contractors commonly use aluminum, which is easy to install.

Metal roofs are also corrosion-resistant, and unlike EPDMs, they are quite inexpensive. Unfortunately, metals aren’t great heat insulators.

3. EPDM

This is a type of synthetic fiber, referred to as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. It’s suitable for flat roofs and low slope roof designs and comes on a large roll.

EDPM is installed fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted and seams are sealed with liquid adhesives.

These synthetic rubbers are light-weight, provide a seal to your roof that makes it resistant to water damage, and don’t need heating during installation. They’re quicker and easier to install compared to other materials, but, unfortunately, their installation is quite costly. If not installed by a professional roofer, it will fall apart quickly.

How to Tell If Your Industrial Property Needs Urgent Roof Repair?

Don’t wait for your roof to come crumbling down before you call your roofing company. There are often visible signs of an industrial roof in need of repair. Indications include, but are not limited to the following:

1. High Energy Bills

One of your commercial roof’s jobs is to reflect sun rays into the atmosphere. This helps maintain a cool building temperature.

Considering that industrial buildings contain large factory machinery that may be emitting a lot of heat into the room, your cooling system has to work twice as hard to maintain cool temperatures if your roof is failing. This will, in turn, make your energy bills go up. Thus, a sudden change in energy consumption should be a red flag.

2. Moisture Infiltration

Sometimes moisture passes through the roofing system into the walls and ceilings of a commercial building. This often occurs when the roof has holes or areas that have peeled off.

If you notice mold or musty smells, your commercial roofing system requires your attention. Be sure to check the entire building to see if there are additional areas of concern.

3. Clogged Drains

Clogging is (obviously) most noticeable during rainy seasons. If you notice water coming off the roof or out from the downspout, your drains and gutters may be clogged. (Which is why you should always clean up debris and maintain your industrial or commercial roof).

4. Ponding and Water Leaks

This one is an obvious roofing issue. If water is standing on your roof for more than 48 hours after a storm, then you’re in need of commercial roofing services. If you’ve spring a leak, don’t get used to putting a bucket under the problem area and collecting the water! Your building needs commercial roof repair before a leak damages your equipment or even becomes a health hazard to your employees.

What Would Make Your Roof Prone to Frequent Repairs?

A sound roofing system shouldn’t require frequent repairs, as long as it gets regular maintenance services. Of course, each material has a lifespan, which can be anywhere from 20 to 60 years. However, there are a few reasons why your roof needs more help than others:

1. Extreme Weather Conditions

There are many reasons that factor into choosing the right location for your industrial property. Unfortunately, when it comes to climate, there’s very little you can do. Extreme weather conditions can cause damage in the blink of an eye.

2. Poor Installation

Yes, your roofing system is on-point; but, what about your contractor? Using inexperienced contractors to handle your roofing installation is just as bad as getting a lousy roofing system.

3. Lack of Roof Maintenance

Stagnant water on the roof will bring about issues like slow leaks, weakness, mold and algae. Lack of roof inspections and regular maintenance can lead to greater damage and a premature re-roofing

4. Old Age

Once your commercial roofing system nears its retirement age, you’ll experience more repair requests than before. At this level, you’ll have no option but to replace the roof. 

What to Do When You See Signs of a Damaged Roof

While you may not be able to walk up to your roof every day to check for faults, it’s advisable to do so occasionally. Or, even better, look for a quality preventative maintenance program to stay ahead of any potential issues.

Once you notice roofing damage, like leaks or standing water, take action! Contact your commercial roofing contractor and seek industrial roof repair immediately.  Not sure who to call for a high-quality roofing solution? Contact the experts at TEMA today and get your roof fixed ASAP! When you work with TEMA, you’re getting more than any old commercial roofing company – you’re getting a dedicated new member on your team.