Telltale Signs It’s Time for a Professional Roof Inspection Service
Like residential houses, types of commercial roofing vary as well as their life expectancies. Roofs are typically sturdy and dependable, but they aren’t indestructible. Most commercial roofs last between 20-30 years depending on installation process, sourced materials and exposure to extreme elements. Whether your company has a built-up roof (BUR), a thermoset roof membrane (EPDM) or anything in between, there are signs to contact a commercial roofer today. It may be time to replace your commercial roof.
How To Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Commercial Roof
Damage to the roof membrane is the easiest way to tell if your roof may be reaching the end of its useful life. Key indicators to look for are uplifting membranes caused by strong winds or severe storm damage (e.g., hail). If you assess uplifting of more than 25%, it’s time to contact a professional for inspection. Similarly, warping, blistering and bubbling can escalate into immense problems. Left unattended, it can be costly and cause unnecessary damage that could have been prevented.
How To Inspect For Roof Damage
Another fairly simple way to evaluate the validity of your commercial roof is maintaining an awareness of visible water infiltration. Watermarks, stains, leaks and mold are all visible cues that water has permeated your roof—indicating roof deterioration. Olfactory markers may also alert you to possible water infiltration—damp, musty, pungent scents are all signs of a water leak.
If your electric bills have been on the rise lately with seemingly no cause, your roof may be “ground zero” of the increasing costs. Via the science of insulation, your commercial roof plays a critical role in maintaining the temperature(s) inside your building throughout the year and keeping the effectiveness of the HVAC system at optimal levels. By keeping a close eye on your electricity costs on a monthly basis can help in noticing any abnormalities and potentially prevent a looming roofing disaster for you and your business.
Gaps in the seams of a commercial roof are a huge red flag. As one of the most vulnerable components of a roof installation, the seams’ chemical bonds (adhesive) or heated bonds (welding) are particularly susceptible to degradation. Track any visible signs of damage, no matter how notable or insignificant.
Don’t neglect to check up on your roof deck. Extensive water damage to a roof deck is an indication that your roof may be experiencing the same level of decay. Often, the replacement of a deck coincides with the replacing of a commercial roof. If you’ve asked “When Should You Replace Your Commercial Roof?“, one or more of these indicators are reason enough to give American Roofing & Waterproofing a call at (602) 314-4650. We are committed to going over the top on any job, any size.