A damaged or leaking roof can be detrimental to any business–and no matter what type of business you run, losing revenue or equipment due to leaks or roof damage is a huge issue.
Unfortunately, emergency roof repair is something most businesses eventually face. Weather damage (like hail storms), aging, and normal wear and tear eat away at your roof. But, knowing what to do when this issue pops up helps you protect your assets and keep your business running smoothly.
True emergency roof repair services are required when your roof stops offering interior protection. Here are a few things you can do to help protect your assets (and bottom line) when roofing issues arise.
Choose a Trusted Roofing Contractor for Emergency Roof Repair
While seeking out potential contractors for your roofing repairs, in addition to assessing experience and reviews, make sure to confirm that they offer emergency roof repair services. Many roofing companies work on a tight schedule and may not be able to assist in a roofing emergency for a business that is not already a client. For schools, manufacturing businesses, and large workplaces, time is essential when roof leaks or other damages spring up.
Once you find the right emergency roof repair services for your situation, give them a call and explain what’s happening. In most cases, companies that offer these services will move very quickly to help you get back to normal.
Protecting Your Equipment While You Wait on Roof Leak Repair
What happens while you wait for the cavalry to arrive?
Most commercial office buildings have a wide range of expensive equipment throughout the building–the loss of computers, monitors, copiers, and heavy machinery can set a company back financially for years to come.
(Yes, insurance claims can be made when emergency roof repair services are required, but the loss can still be damaging to your bottom line.)
One way of protecting your important hardware and machinery is to properly cover them while the roofing experts work their magic. Heavy plastics, tarping, and other protective coverings can keep most equipment damage at bay and can easily be found at your local hardware store.
Another obvious way to protect your equipment is to move it to a safer area inside the building. If your building’s roof hasn’t completely collapsed, smaller items such as computers, printers, and fax machines can easily be carried to a safer spot away from the damaged area while roofing problems are being addressed.
If your building has taken on quite a bit of damage and will be out of commission for a lengthy time, a storage unit might be your best option. Find a building that offers a climate-controlled environment. The costs of renting a storage building for your business will not compare to the loss of your equipment, and you can rest easy knowing your work materials are safe during repairs.
Assessing Damage After a Roofing Emergency
If your business experiences a roof collapse or major leak, damages (most likely) occured before emergency roof repair services began.
While you wait for your roofing contractor to arrive on-site, start assessing the damages immediately. Take inventory of all the equipment and other items in the affected area. This will give you an idea of what items could potentially suffer damage.
Once a complete inventory has been taken, begin the process of noting which items are damaged. While moving equipment to safety, you can take note of water damage or dents caused by falling debris. (These notes will save time when preparing documentation for your insurance claim.)
Contacting your insurance company promptly also helps you receive faster compensation for your losses. The better notes and documentation you provide, the quicker the process will move. Make sure to contact your facility manager (if you have one) to see if you have a roof warranty with protection for storm damage, hail damage, or roof damage caused by high winds. Depending on the type of damage, and whether or not you’ve done the necessary preventative maintenance and regular inspection to keep your warranty intact, the roofing materials used for replacement (or a new roof) may be completely covered.
Commercial Roofing Services That Help You Avoid Future a Roofing Emergency
Reaching out for emergency roof leak repairs will open your eyes to the fact that your roof, like most other aspects of your property, needs regular attention and maintenance.
Staying in touch with your roofing company is important, because then you will be aware of the other services they provide and how they can help extend the life of your roofing system.
Importance of Regular Commercial Roof Inspections
Roofing companies offer a range of services, such as complete roof replacements, smaller repairs, and inspections. Taking advantage of these services is a great way of staying on top of roofing issues and avoiding emergency situations in the future.
You can always inspect your roof firsthand to keep an eye on your roofing asset. But, if you’re not comfortable walking your flat roof, a semi-annual roof inspection from an experienced commercial roofing company will help to monitor areas of concern. Professionals will also check for debris or tree limbs on your building’s roof along with drainage and areas of ponding or penetration.
When signs of problems do arise after you’ve inspected the roof on your own, don’t hesitate to contact your roofing company to come out and take a second look. Professional roofers perform roof inspections daily, and their trained eyes may spot something you missed. They can also provide advice on how to avoid further damage.
Your Trusted Commercial Roofing Expert
You’ll find that having a trusted commercial roofing company to contact in the event of an emergency roof repair situation will help alleviate the stress involved in maintaining your property or business. If you’re looking for the right roofing company to oversee your commercial building’s roof, TEMA Roofing Services is here for you.
Contact us to learn more about our free quotes, emergency roof repair assistance and our expert commercial roofing services.
