Roof damage lets moisture breach the building, which can cause mold growth and structural damage. Left unchecked, this can make your building dangerous to your staff and your equipment. And, delaying emergency roof repairs following storms and accidents can result in major damage.
So, what do you need to do when you notice a problem, and what should you expect when you’re getting emergency roof repairs?
Table of Contents
- How to Navigate Emergency Roof Repairs
- Know Who to Call… and When
- Assess the Situation
- What to Expect from an Emergency Roof Repair
- Priority Level A
- Priority Level B
- Services You Need
- Preventative Maintenance Saves Time and Money
- Choose the Company Businesses Have Trusted for Over 50 Years
Know Who to Call… and When
Was someone injured? Is the structure on the verge of collapse? Contact emergency services first. Once everyone is safe, you can address the damage to your roof.
Assess the Situation
What is the extent of the damage? Are you seeing leaks? Can you see holes in the roofing system? Was there a tornado that left hail damage and fallen trees?
If your commercial building has experienced major weather, call your roofing contractor’s emergency number. If there was a heavy storm with high winds but there’s no apparent damage, schedule a regular roof inspection with your contractor. There may not be an emergency, but you could have loose asphalt shingles or damaged parts of the roof that need to be repaired.
Always contact your roofing contractor before you talk to your insurance company when trying to initiate an insurance claims process. The contractor will send a roofer who can set up tarps to reduce the amount of water entering the building. They’ll also create an estimate for repair after checking out the structural integrity.
With this estimate in hand, you can then file the claim with your insurance provider. By getting the contractor involved first, you have proof that you tried to mitigate damage with a roofing professional, and the contractor can work with your insurance company to get the claim approved.
What to Expect from an Emergency Roof Repair
What happens when you request emergency roof repair services? When you call TEMA Roofing, we’ll schedule a technician to come to the site and inspect the roof. We divide emergencies into two priority levels:
Priority Level A
Level A situations include damage that could physically endanger people in your building or cause extreme losses. On-site response time for these emergencies is typically between 4 and 8 hours. Details are worked out during the call, so you know when you can expect a technician to show up at your site.
Priority Level B
Any other damage falls under this emergency category. This includes roof and structural damage that doesn’t endanger people in the building. On-site response time for this priority is between 24 and 48 hours after we’re notified.
When assessing commercial roof damage, the professionals at TEMA address a variety of aspects:
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- First, the inside of the building is inspected. The technician identifies structural and health hazards, and finds the general area of the leak. While this process usually isn’t invasive, the tech needs access to areas closest to the roof, including upper storage areas, attics and drop ceilings. The inspection evaluates the building for necessary repairs and for the safety of roofing workers. If there is underlying structural damage, it needs to be fixed so that the roof can support workers and equipment.
- Next, the outside of the building is inspected. Tearing, separation and other damage with the decking or gutters is identified. Water leaks are covered temporarily to reduce future damage. This step is important when dealing with storm damage, water damage or a roof leak – don’t do a DIY-type fix. Let roofing experts address issues so they can be included in any claims.
- Now that the technician has a complete picture of the damage, they can create your estimate. (This includes costs for materials and labor, as well as a timeline for repairs.) When you work out the details of the repair, you need to understand how it will affect your business.
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You may be presented with a couple of options, each with different advantages for cost, time, building disruption and further damage. From there, we’ll work with your insurance company to get work approved for your building.
Services You Need
If you’ve noticed signs of a leaking roof in your commercial building, take a moment to track down the source. If the leak only shows up when there’s precipitation, it’s probably the roof. Taking a moment to consider the source helps you call the right person to fix the problem, saving you time and money.
Keep in mind that residential roofing companies are very different from commercial roofing companies. In most cases, residential roofers don’t have the tools and training to deal with commercial low slope roofs. You also need to make sure that you’re considering qualified commercial roofing companies. Although there may be local licensing requirements, Ohio and Pennsylvania don’t have a state-wide licensing program for roofing contractors, so it’s important to do your own research to find credible organizations.
Look for national certifications. For example, TEMA Roofing Services is a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association. We’re also CERTA certified, which means our workers are trained to safely use torches when applying modified bitumen roofs.
Preventative Maintenance Saves Time and Money
Your roof is a critical part of your building. Once it’s breached, whether through an emergency roof leak or something that gradually happens over time, each drop of water that gets inside wreaks havoc with the building’s structure (water rusts metal and erodes wood and sheetrock). If it’s trapped, water also forms the perfect breeding ground for dangerous mold. Even a brand new roof can be damaged by flying debris.
Simply having a new roofing system installed isn’t enough. You also need frequent inspections, so that repairs are made as soon as problems arise. The easiest way to keep your roof in good shape is to sign up for commercial roof asset management services. We’ll tailor a care program to the needs of your building, ensuring your roofing materials stay within warranty, and issues are addressed as soon as they appear.
Choose the Company Businesses Have Trusted for Over 50 Years
Do you need help with a roofing emergency? Contact TEMA Roofing Services online or call us at 1-800-513-TEMA (8362.) Looking for a way to prevent roofing problems, and be proactive about emergency roof repairs? We offer roof asset management which includes customized preventative maintenance services and emergency repairs.
By keeping up with roof maintenance, you can cut down on future costs from structural damage and unplanned shutdowns. When it comes to roofing issues, roof installation, and roof replacement, we pride ourselves on being your trusted resource for all things commercial roofing. Don’t turn to anyone else!
