As a business owner, you have a million things on your plate: you must keep track of inventory, care for your employees, and ensure that your customers have a good experience. However, your commercial roof should also be a top priority, especially since snow will soon be on its way. A commercial roof faces much more stress than a house roof because it’s often flat. This means it tends to hold onto every pound of ice that falls from the sky. If you ignore the signs of wear now, you might be dealing with a messy ceiling leak right in the middle of your busiest sales season. Here are some things you can do to keep your roof in top shape so that it continues to protect your business from the elements.
Clear the Water Paths to Avoid Ice Dams
If your drainage system is clogged with leaves and debris, water will get trapped on your roof because it has nowhere to go. When that water freezes, it can become a heavy block of ice that will rip your gutters right off the side of the building. Even if that never happens, trapped water can wear away at roof materials and eventually leak down into the building and ruin equipment and inventory.
Have a professional come check and clean your gutters each year. Fall is an excellent time for this because so many leaves are falling from the trees, and many of them will find their way into your gutters.
Inspect the Seams and Flashing for Gaps
The edges of your roof and the areas around your heating and cooling units are the most likely spots for a winter leak to begin. This is because metal flashing expands and contracts as the weather changes. This constant movement can pull the sealant away from the roof membrane. Use a smartphone with strong zoom capability or some binoculars to check the “boots” around pipes and the corners of the roof for any signs of peeling or cracking in the caulk. If you see a gap, call a roofer to fix it immediately before conditions get worse and you have real trouble on your hands.
Check the Membrane for Damage and Bubbles
If your building has a rubber or TPO roof, the cold can reveal “blisters” where the material has pulled away from the insulation. These bubbles are often full of air or moisture. When the temperature drops, the trapped water freezes and stretches the membrane even further. Walk the roof and look for any soft spots or areas where the surface looks like a wrinkled rug. If you find a blister, this means that moisture has already worked its way into your insulation. This can lead to mold and wood rot if you never take steps to address the issue. Getting timely and professional help will ensure that your roof can stand up to the elements.
If it has been more than a year since you had a professional roofing inspection, you must schedule one immediately. A trained professional can find and fix problems that you never even knew were there. Don’t leave your building or livelihood to chance. Call Heyn Brothers Roofing to schedule commercial roofing services to help your business stand firm against Rochester, MN winters.