Month: December 2022

What Can Happen If You Don’t Maintain Your Commercial Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Failing to maintain your commercial roof can cause serious problems for both your roof system and your building as a whole. Though maintenance may seem like an unnecessary cost and burden, taking good care of a commercial roof actually pays off over time and can help ward off a disaster.

Here are a few of the things that can happen if you fail to maintain your commercial roof:

1. Your small problems may get bigger.

Much of commercial roof maintenance is making small repairs or cleaning up things that may cause problems down the road. To many, these small interventions may seem like a waste of time, but these tiny steps are crucial to keeping big problems at bay. Making a cost-effective and quick repair now may prevent the issue from worsening and causing more damage down the line. 

2. You may spend more money. 

Roof maintenance costs pale in comparison to a major roof repair or a roof replacement. Spending a little bit every year and sticking to a commercial roof maintenance plan will help prevent big expenses like a premature roof replacement or a costly repair. 

3. You’ll lose out on warranties and insurance reimbursements. 

In some cases, failing to maintain your roof adequately is grounds for voiding most warranties, and insurance can refuse to pay for a repair if they find that it was caused by poor maintenance. Sticking to a maintenance plan and documenting your repairs is the best way to ensure that your policy and warranties will cover you in case of an emergency.

4. Your roof may become a hazard.

Unmaintained roofs are more likely to leak. When water seeps into a roof, it can spread damage to the entire building. This can create a hazardous situation for tenants or employees in the building. A commercial roof maintenance schedule can help catch minor water problems before they become dangerous for those who regularly occupy your building.

5. Your energy bill payments may increase.

A commercial roof is also an important insulating component of a building. When the insulation on a poorly maintained roof degrades due to water damage, it doesn’t retain as much heat in the winter, leading to higher energy costs. Similarly, failing to clean a roof properly can limit its reflective properties in the summer, leading to a warmer building and higher energy costs to cool it.

6. You won’t be able to plan your budget.

A commercial roof maintenance plan helps businesses and organizations plan for repair expenses over the course of the year. Without regular inspections and maintenance, your business may encounter a large, unexpected roof repair, which can often cost much more than smaller maintenance fixes. Since budget planning is critical for large organizations, regular maintenance helps eliminate these unpleasant surprises.

If you’re ready to start developing a commercial roof maintenance plan for your roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is on hand to help with all of your roofing needs.

3 Types of Commercial Roofing Insulation Explained

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Choosing the right type of commercial roofing insulation is one of the most important components of any roofing project. Insulation not only protects your building from extreme temperatures, but it can also provide fire protection. When building managers are planning a re-roofing project, they often focus on the exterior components of the roof. However, what goes underneath the roof can be just as important. So how do you choose which insulation is right for you? Your roofing partner can advise you on this decision, but it may help to have a basic familiarity with your options. This blog will walk you through the three primary types of commercial roofing insulation.

1. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

When polystyrene is made with an expansion process, it spreads out the material in order to cover more area with less material. As a result of this process, expanded polystyrene is cheaper to make but provides less thermal resistance than some other roof insulation options. For the best insulation from the elements, a higher thermal resistance option is recommended. 

2. Polyisocyanurate (ISO)

This closed-cell foam insulation is the most common type of roofing insulation. It’s created by heating up different kinds of synthetic materials that are cooled into a rigid foam substance. This foam is then placed between glass or fiberglass panels. Polyisocyanurate is primarily used on flat roofs, and it is considered a step up from expanded polystyrene (EPS) in terms of its thermal resistance. This material is a good middle-of-the-road option for businesses that want effective insulation but have a tighter budget.

3. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

This type of commercial building roof insulation is made from the same material as expanded polystyrene (EPS), but it is created with a different process. The high-pressure extrusion process packs polystyrene into dense foam panels, providing more thermal and water resistance. This is considered a high-end option and is more expensive than many other types of roof insulation. You typically see this insulation type on “green roofs” or systems where H2O is present.

Regardless of which type of insulation you choose for your building, it’s important to always hire a qualified roofing technician for installation. If you want to learn more about what type of commercial roofing insulation is right for your building, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is ready to help with your roofing project.