Business owners have long looked to their roofs for protection. The oldest known roofing material is clay tiles. They were used in China around 10,000 B.C. Today, the typical commercial roof is made of asphalt shingles. This is because of their durability, economic liability, and life expectancy. They have been an optimal material for a commercial roof since the early 1900s.
Asphalt shingles last up to 30 years. Most types perform well even under harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, fire, ice, and strong winds.
At the end of its lifespan, it can be recycled. Old asphalt shingles can be used for roads or pavement.
Roofs can last long, but not forever. They play a critical role in the safety of your business. From time to time, they need some TLC, but other times, you are best to get a total replacement.
Here are the tell-tale signs you need a new commercial roof.
1. Energy Bills Are Rising
Even if the commercial roof looks okay, still, it can lose efficiency over time. Roofing keeps your property efficient by how it reflects the sun. If it is not reflecting enough, your HVAC unit will need to do more work to keep the temperature comfortable on the inside.
If your roof is not reflecting the sun as it should, it is not something that a repair or roofing maintenance can fix. When they deteriorate, you cannot turn back time.
Until you get a new roof, the energy bills will climb. In the long run, a new roof will save on operational expenses.
2. Visible Sagging Spots
A commercial roof will get wet. That’s part of its job, protecting the building from the rain. Although, if your commercial roof is flat, water can collect.
This is called ponding. It leads to more significant issues, like the degradation of commercial roofing material. If you see drooping or sagging, there may be a leak present.
Leaks can create more damage, including to the rafters, joists, and sheathing. Whether you need a new roof entirely depends on the amount of damage. If the sagging or drooping is widespread, you need a total replacement.
3. Loose Roofing Material
Extreme weather causes loosing of roof materials. Heavy rains and high winds lead to necessary roof care. When you ignore loose material, however, it will lead to more damage and higher energy bills.
Without roof maintenance, the lifespan will shorten. If you see a bunch of loose material, you should call a roofing contractor. Especially when you are not sure how long the commercial roof has been loosening or flaking, check out this website: hproofingpro.com.
4. Smelling Musty Odors
This is a huge red flag. It’s a sign of mold. It is an optimal place for mold to grow when moisture is present.
If your building has a minor case of mold growth, then it could be rectified by adjusting humidity levels or by a thorough cleaning. Regardless of how much mold you have, a musty smell is something to take seriously. It is essential to take care of it right away.
Either with a repair, cleaning, or commercial roof replacement, do not let an issue like this linger. If mold growth continues instead of tackling it early on, it will only lead to health issues for workers and customers. Not to mention, it will be more costly to get rid of.
5. Interior Water Damage
Suppose you must place a bucket to collect the water dripping from a leaky roof; it’s time to get help. As a business owner, this will not bode well for customers. Beyond damage to your brand, ignoring it will create more damage to the commercial roof.
Water damage will wreak havoc on the inside of the building. You could end up with more expenses to clean up tough water spots. The walls, ceiling, and floors will need repairs.
When a commercial building has water damage, act quickly. As part of excellent roof care, checking for water stains and peeling paint periodically is a brilliant idea.
6. Bubbles and Blistering
You should never see a bubble or air pocket on your building’s roof. This happens when the roofing has damage to the roofing membrane. It happens over time.
Air or moisture can get trapped underneath the roof, which means roofing maintenance. Just like a blister on your skin, the skin must be removed. With a commercial building roof, you must remove the bubble and clean the area.
You can repair the portions of the roof that need it. However, to prevent further damage, it is likely better to install a new roof. Bubbles can recur with membrane damage, so a replacement will be most cost-effective.
7. Clogged Drains
When you see a huge storm roll in, you should see that same amount of water coming through a downspout. If there is not enough water released, it could be because of a sagging spot, as discussed in this article.
Another reason could be that your roof drains are clogged. Clogs that build up for a long time can create significant damage. Don’t wait and seek a professional immediately to remedy this.
Know When You Need a Commercial Roof Replacement
Please pay attention to the signs because when you need a new commercial roof, you must take care of it swiftly. Otherwise, you are putting the inside of your building at risk. This means potential harm to your business operations equipment, product, inhabitants, etc.
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