Are you worried about the prospect of mold or mildew potentially developing in your commercial roofing system? Do you wish there was a way to maximize energy efficiency and minimize the amount spent on energy bills from month to month? If so, then you need to learn more about the importance of commercial roof ventilation.
Doing so can help you extend the life of your roof and secure your company’s commercial building from issues like moisture build up, leaks and water damage.
Keep reading for some general tips on inspecting and maintaining your roofing system, as well as an in-depth guide to the benefits of proper commercial roof ventilation.
Tips for Effective Roof Maintenance
Did you know that commercial roofs can potentially last up to four decades? However, they can also last as little as ten years (when poorly cared for). Efficient and effective roof maintenance is the difference between the two ends of the spectrum.
As long as you take the time to assess potential problems and repair roof ventilation issues before they worsen, your system will reach the full potential of its lifespan. Here are a few tips for how to keep that roof running smoothly.
1. Schedule Regular Commercial Roof Inspections
You don’t need to be an expert in commercial roofing to keep yours protected. Leave that responsibility in the hands of a qualified commercial roofing contractor by scheduling a regular roofing inspection.
Doing so will help you discover potential issues with exhaust vents, eaves, soffit, ridge vents, intake vents and other components before they become major problems. An inspection also helps to identify issues that could cause structural damage. From there, you will be given recommendations on how to resolve the issue and schedule a time to repair it.
TEMA Roofing Services offers many critical services like commercial roofing system inspections, roof repair, roof replacement and new roof installation, as well as a 24-hour emergency repair service. In other words: we’ve got you covered!
2. Know the Factors That Determine Your Roof’s Health
Many different factors affect the overall health and well-being of your commercial roofing system, many of which are external factors that you can’t control.
Knowing these factors ahead of time will help you understand the need for things such as frequent commercial roof inspections.
First, there is the location in which your business resides. If you have a flat roof that is constantly exposed to harmful UV rays without any protection, you can expect it to take a toll on the sealants. However, as long as you have frequent inspections, these will be caught before they pose a serious risk.
Second, there’s a concern about local pests. (This can include animals and bugs like rodents, birds, snakes, termites, ants, and so on.) If there’s a hole in your roof, they’ll find it. And, once they find it, you’ll have to get a pest control service involved.
Third, there’s the climate to consider. Businesses in northeast Ohio, for example, have to worry about warm air in the summers and ice dams in the winters, with humidity throughout. At TEMA, we recommend inspections every spring and fall to make sure that your roof is ready for the most extreme seasons—summer and winter.
3. Build a Business Relationship With a Commercial Roofing Service
Picture this: you schedule one spring inspection of your roof with a commercial roofing company in your town. Then, in the fall, you hire a second commercial roofing service to do an inspection.
But, what if the second commercial roofing service isn’t as good as the first service you hired?
It’s always better to build a business relationship with the most trustworthy service in town. That way, they have in-depth, historical knowledge of your commercial roof’s condition. They’ll use their notes from previous visits to check up on areas of concern and have an overall holistic picture of the progression of your roof!
The Benefits of Proper Commercial Roof Ventilation
The benefits of prioritizing commercial roof ventilation are endless. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most critical benefits to maintaining an effective roofing ventilation system.
1. Lower Your Energy Costs
As the hot air rises in your building during the warm months, it can become trapped and build up in your attic space with nowhere to escape. This, in turn, can cause your air conditioning system to work overtime to keep your facility at the desired indoor temperature.
With proper roof ventilation, you’ll give that heat an avenue to escape. As your property becomes more ventilated, your AC unit will find time to take a break, which will result in lower energy bills each month!
2. Proper Ventilation Prevents Mold Growth
It’s common knowledge that mold grows in places with a lot of moisture, and your commercial attic space can become a natural breeding ground for mold growth if it has poor roof ventilation.
Mold growth in your attic is a detriment to both your staff’s health and your commercial roof’s lifespan. (Long-term mold exposure has been scientifically proven to cause asthma in humans.)
Mold also eats away at the material in your roof, leading to decay and dry rot. Plus, the lack of airflow causes locked-in moisture, which can result in the rust and corrosion of your roof’s support beams. Ensuring proper attic ventilation is key to the long term viability of your commercial building.
3. Extend the Lifespan of Your Roof
As previously noted in this article, your commercial roof has the potential to last several decades. However, without proper roof ventilation, there are too many risks (such as mold growth) to make that ideal lifespan a reality.
The road to efficient commercial roof ventilation starts with a commercial roof inspection by a trusted service that will look for ways to improve the ventilation so that your roof is prepared to withstand any season.
Without prioritizing ventilation, you risk things like warping, shingles falling off, issues with various roofing components, and so on.
Schedule a Roof Ventilation Assessment for Your Commercial Property
Now that we’ve reviewed the importance of commercial roof ventilation for your business, it’s time to find a roofing service that can meet your needs.
For additional information about TEMA Roofing, or to discuss your unique situation with one of our commercial roofing experts, please reach out or request a quote today.
