Tag: storm damage

How to Assess and Address Storm Damage to Your Commercial Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Severe storms, strong winds, and hail often cause unplanned commercial roof damage. These elements can cause immediate and long-term issues for the roof, gutters, flashing, and skylights on your commercial property. With nearly 70 years in the business, we know the weather patterns in Tennessee and Alabama (and how unpredictable they can be). We also know the common issues to look for when you assess and address damage to your commercial roof after a major storm.

One of the first steps in repairing your commercial roof after a storm is to assess the damage. But what should you look for? And when do you need to conduct a professional inspection? We wanted to provide a few helpful tips that will help you know how to safely assess the potential damage to your commercial property. Here are the three basic steps you can take to properly assess and address any roof damage after a storm:

1. Conduct an initial inspection with your facilities crew to look for obvious signs of damage.

If possible, facility managers or owners should inspect their roofs independently after every storm. You will want to clear your roof of any debris and look for any warning signs that indicate roof damage. Make sure you can do this safely. If your building has any pitch at all, we suggest bringing in a professional roofing company to assess the damage. If the roof is safe, you can begin by looking for some of the more obvious signs of roof damage. These include damage to the roof flashing, any splits or tears on the roof surface, missing accessories, or punctures to the roof. If you experienced hail, you’ll also want to consider how to address hail damage on your commercial roof.

2. Work with a trusted roofing partner for a more thorough inspection.

While the obvious indicators of storm damage are easy to spot, many signs of storm damage are not easy for the untrained eye to see. This is when hiring a qualified roofing technician is a good idea. A trained roofer can conduct a more thorough inspection — checking seams, testing flashing, and looking for small signs that often go overlooked.

It’s also important to find a technician you can trust. Over the last several years, many roofing contractors have become “storm chasers” that may cut corners and do faulty work. That is why it is essential to work with a local, reputable roofing company to help inspect, assess, and repair damages.

3. Don’t delay roof repairs.

Delaying roof repairs will only compound the impact of the damage. Waiting too long to repair your commercial roof can make the job much more expensive later on, especially if the storm season is just beginning! Addressing and repairing issues quickly also helps prevent further damage to your building or inventory.

At Maxwell, our 24/7 Emergency roofing repair service is designed to help customers address issues immediately. Whether it’s a weekend storm or a nighttime emergency, our team is on call and ready to respond after a significant storm.

As a leading roofing contractor in Tennessee and Alabama, we know that storm damage can happen at any time, creating significant challenges for property managers and commercial building owners. From making sure your building is safe to navigating insurance questions, we recognize you have a lot of responsibilities to manage. We want to make the repair process as smooth as possible.

To learn how we can help you assess and address storm damage on your commercial roof, contact us today. You can also report an emergency any time of day or night on our website.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Storm Damage

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Storms are inevitable, and no matter how well you take care of your roof, storm damage is always a possibility. Industrial building owners will likely have to deal with storm damage to their building at some point, so we created this step-by-step guide for what to do in the case of industrial roof damage. 

Step 1: Prep your roof.

Well before a storm is even a suggestion on the weather radar, you should have taken steps to prepare your roof as much as possible. Roof systems are designed to hold up against the elements all day, every day, so keeping a roof in good shape through preventative maintenance will go a long way towards preventing storm damage. Still, bad storms can affect any roof, so it’s important to keep a good insurance policy and have a plan in place for documenting roof damage.

Step 2: Perform after-storm inspections.

Professional inspections should be a regular part of any industrial building’s maintenance plan, but facility managers or owners should also inspect their roofs independently after every storm. The inspector should check for tell-tale signs of damage like open flashing, missing roof accessories, or punctures. They should make sure that the roof is clear of all debris. If the inspection reveals damage, call in a professional roofer for a more detailed inspection.

Step 3: Hire a trusted roofing partner.

After a big storm, roofing companies seem to just pop up out of nowhere. Ignore these new businesses. Industrial roofs require care from a reputable roofer with experience in storm damage. Reputable, longstanding roofing companies are not just better equipped to do the work, but they have experience preparing damage reports that insurance companies will understand and are more likely to approve.

Step 4: File an insurance claim. 

Your roof inspector should be able to help you prepare the information you need to file a claim. If the insurance company tries to deny the claim, the roofing company may also help you negotiate a better deal. Industrial roof owners do not need to settle for the first offer an insurance company makes. It’s better to continue negotiating and get a full roof repair than to settle. 

Step 5: Repair your roof. 

Once the insurance company approves the repair, it’s time to get the roof fixed. For industrial building owners, it’s critical to partner with a roofing company that specializes in commercial roofs for the repair. In most cases, the company that performed your roof inspection will be the best company for the job. 

If you want to learn more about how to handle storm damage, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our qualified team of roofing professionals is ready to help.

A Property Manager’s Guide to Roof Leaks

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

A leaking roof is every property manager’s worst nightmare. Roof leaks can compromise building safety, damage a property’s value and even cause further damage to the building. In order to prevent the worst outcomes from a roof leak, property managers need to know how to recognize a leak and what to do if they find one.

Signs Your Roof is Leaking

Storm damage can cause obvious holes in a roof, but not all leaks are this easy to spot. Small leaks can show up in a variety of small ways throughout a building. Property managers should always remain vigilant and check for signs of small leaks. Failing to address minor leaks can lead to a much bigger problem down the line.

Some signs that your roof may be leaking include:

  • Stained interior or exterior walls
  • Strange odors
  • Pooling water inside the building
  • Stained ceiling tiles

Immediate Actions After a Leak

Once a leak has been identified, property managers should take some immediate steps to prevent further damage and to protect the building’s occupants. First, close off the area affected by the leak and clean up any water that may be on the floors or interior walls. Keep the area well ventilated and use dryers or fans to dry it off and prevent mildew. Get in touch with both the building’s insurance company and a trusted roofing company to schedule a fix as soon as possible.

Finding a Roofing Partner 

Property managers should always have a roofer they trust on call. But if a leak occurs when you’re between roofers, it’s important to find a trusted partner as soon as possible. Don’t make the mistake of choosing the cheapest, first available roofer. Do your research to find a reputable company that will be able to produce quality work beyond this individual leak.

Preventing Future Leaks

The best way to deal with a roof leak is to prevent it from occurring! Preventative maintenance is the most effective way to keep commercial roofs leak-free. For property managers with multiple assets, a roof management program like Maxwell’s MAXCare® is the simplest way to track the care and condition of each building’s roof.

If you’re ready to learn more about leak repair and prevention, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is ready to help.

How to Avoid Ice Damage on a Commercial Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Considering it’s only frozen water, ice is surprisingly adept at causing damage to a commercial roof. Left unprotected, a roof can emerge from winter much worse off than it was going in. Here’s some helpful information regarding what ice can do to a commercial roof and what to do to prevent damage.

Ice Damage to Commercial Roofs

When it gets cold, any water that is already on a roof may freeze and expand. This ice can block drains, buckle flashings, and expand gaps in the roof. Storms can also dump ice directly onto a roof. The weight of this ice can stress roof structures and, in some cases, even cause collapse. Even small amounts of ice will eventually melt, possibly causing water damage.

One of the most common problems is an ice dam on a roof. Ice dams occur when commercial roof ice melts and flows to the edge of a commercial roof. When this water re-freezes, it creates a wall, or dam, that can prevent future ice melt from leaving the roof. 

Preventing Ice Damage

Preventing ice damage on a commercial roof begins before winter even starts with an inspection in the fall. During this inspection, a roofer will examine the roof for moisture that may later freeze into ice. The inspector will also identify any clogs or blockages that will prevent ice melt from leaving the roof. For some roofs, the inspector may recommend a commercial roof ice system, known as an ice shield or ice guard.

Once winter is underway, some roofs may require regular de-icing. Chemical de-icers can prevent ice buildup during a storm and help clear a roof before ice buildup becomes a problem. It’s important to make sure that any chemicals used on the roof won’t damage the building materials and also comply with local environmental regulations.

Commercial Roof Ice Systems

Roof ice shields or ice guards are a protective coating that sits on top of a commercial roof deck. The membrane protects the roof from leaks as the ice melts. Once ice has melted, the water that doesn’t leave the roof will leak down to the ice guard, which will catch it and direct it toward the gutters. Installing this type of system in problem areas prevents standing water on a roof and ensures that ice doesn’t accumulate.

To learn more about how to protect your commercial roof from ice and snow, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today.

7 Steps for Fixing Hail Damage on a Commercial Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

April showers bring May flowers…and huge costs from hail damage from spring and summer storms. As with most maintenance issues, prevention is key. As a business owner, you keep up-to-date insurance policies, repair and maintain your structure, and address any issues as they arise. You get regular roof inspections and have implemented waterproofing and weatherproofing techniques. When it comes to Mother Nature, though, there are no guarantees. If you happen to be in the path of a vicious spring storm, hail damage on a commercial roof can be costly, and fixing it can be a headache. Here are seven steps for fixing hail damage on a commercial roof.

1. Determine the Extent of the Damage

Once the clouds have passed, you’ll want to survey the damage on the roof itself. Take all necessary precautions when making the initial inspection. If additional storms are in the forecast or the sun is setting, you may want to wait until a more opportune time to view the damage.

Once you have eyes on the roof, you’re looking to classify the type of hail damage the storm caused. An insurance professional will verify this assessment, but knowing the extent of the damage upfront will help you start to craft a strategy for repair and start researching professionals to help you get the job done right. There are a few signs of commercial roofing hail damage to keep your eyes open for when you’re surveying the structure.

2. Look for Circular Dents

This classic damage pattern can be seen on a variety of commercial roofing materials, including metal, wood, or composite materials. The dents are often arranged in a scattershot pattern, although there may be sections of the roof that have more damage than others. A circular indent indicates the presence of large hail and can range in diameter from a few centimeters to several inches in length, depending on the size of the hail.

3. Check for Missing Shingles

Shingles that are missing, askew, or not fully secured is also a sign of hail damage. Depending on the material of the shingles, inclement weather may have had the force to remove small pieces of roofing or the damage may cover the entire structure. If roofing material is darker in color, it can be difficult to determine if small sections are missing or damaged. When possible, touching material with your hands can indicate the presence of damage, even if it’s not immediately apparent to the naked eye.

4. Photograph any Black, Red, Yellow, or White Markings

Some roofing materials are able to withstand an onslaught of weather, and the only signs of structural damage may be markings from hail impacts on the commercial roofing materials or shingles themselves. Different materials show damage in different ways, and colored streaks of black, red, white, or yellow markings could indicate damage from a sudden storm.

5. Contact Your Insurance Professional

Once you’ve viewed the damage, your next call should be to your insurance professional. Having expert eyes view the damage can give you a better idea of the scope of the damage and the possible cost of repairs. Providing the assessor or agent with photographic evidence may help your claim be processed more quickly, which is essential for getting repairs completed in a timely manner.

6. Don’t Leave Commercial Roofing Damage Unaddressed

It’s important to remember that commercial roofs are not residential roofs. The cost of replacing even a small section of a commercial roof tile can be much higher than a large section of a residential roof. Commercial and industrial roofs are also subject to stricter building and safety codes. The cost and complexity can make business owners hesitate when they consider replacement. Letting even minor damage linger through a second cold winter or storm season could cause even greater costs in the long run.

7. Partner With a Company that Specializes in Commercial Roofing

Companies that mostly handle residential roofing don’t have the tools, materials, and experience to patch, replace, or repair commercial roofing. While your insurance company may give you suggestions on what company to contact, you’ll need to do careful research to make sure the contractor you work with can properly repair your commercial roofing. Unaddressed roofing issues can lead to moisture ingress, mold issues, or high heating or cooling costs due to escaping air.

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing a variety of commercial roofs. Schedule a call with us today to learn more about how we can help protect your investment by maintaining your building’s longevity.