Tag: weatherproofing

Commercial Roofing FAQs: How Should You Prep Your Roof for Spring Weather?

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

With winter on its way out, it’s time to make a plan for prepping your commercial roof for spring. Here are some common questions building owners and property managers have about their roof’s seasonal changes.

Q: What winter damage should I look out for on my roof?

A: Snow and ice can damage your commercial roof in several different ways. Ice can block a roof’s drainage systems causing water to dam creating leaks when it thaws. As the weather warms, commercial building owners should be on the lookout for signs of moisture. They should also have their building inspected to see if the roof sustained any damage over the winter months.

With extreme weather conditions, buildings expand and contract naturally. This movement can cause leaks, especially around penetrations, flashing laps, etc.

Q: What challenges could the spring season bring for my roof?

A: With the end of winter comes spring rain showers that can expose winter damage. Debris from nearby trees or winter storms can clog drains and gutters or damage the roof membrane, causing leaks. A lot of rain in a short period of time can also cause moisture to build up on the roof.

Q: What can I do to make sure my roof is in good condition this season?

A: Building owners or facility managers should walk their roofs regularly between periods of inclement weather. Keeping the roof clear of debris can help prevent water from pooling on the roof. Take note of any leaks or strange smells inside the building.

If properly maintained, commercial roofs are designed to handle the natural wear and tear of seasonal changes. We recommend seasonal roof inspections and proactive management to identify small problems and make any repairs before they become large issues.

Q: What professional help do I need to prepare my roof for spring?

A: It’s best to get a professional roof inspection several times a year. The changing of the seasons is a great time to schedule these inspections. A professional commercial roofer can find damage on your roof that may otherwise be undetectable by special equipment like infrared cameras and even drones. A commercial roofing company will also be able to advise you about any repairs or maintenance your roof may need. The inspection report may also warn you about potential hazards that may pose a threat to your roof during springtime storms.

If you’re ready to prepare your roof for spring weather, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today. Our team is on hand to help with all of your commercial roofing needs.

How Severe Weather Can Affect Commercial Roofing

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Severe weather puts things in perspective. It can make us stay home from work, check on loved ones we haven’t talked to in months, or hide out in a basement for hours on end. Mother Nature is indifferent to our plans, our jobs, and especially our roofs.

Whether you’ve recently experienced a severe storm or you’re about to, here’s what you need to know about how severe weather affects commercial roofs.

Material Matters

Not all commercial roofs are constructed the same way. There are multiple types of commercial roof builds, and each respond to severe weather differently. Here are a few of the most common commercial roof build types and how they respond to severe weather.

1. Built-Up Roofing—Built-Up Roofing systems, also referred to as BUR, generally are composed of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics that create a finished membrane. There are two types of layers for BUR roofs. The first is either gravel or some other type of granule, which endures hail well, but is vulnerable to wind, which can blow off this top layer, leaving lower layers open to damage from water or hail. The second is a smooth finish, such as asphalt. Smooth finishes on a built-up roof, while less susceptible to wind damage, are more vulnerable to hail.

2. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Roofing—EPDM roofing is rubber roofing. This type of roof generally fairs well in severe weather. However, like all roofs, if there is not a sufficient slope and water starts to pond in specific areas, then there is a risk of damage due to the weight of the water and the fact that, after repeated instances, it may eventually eat through the surface of the roof and cause a leak.

3. Metal Roofing—Metal roofing generally holds up well during storms, sustaining mainly superficial damage. One thing to be aware of, though, is the roof’s finish. The finish can be “chipped or cracked by the hail, which can then lead to the development of rust.”

4. Thermoplastic Roofing—Because thermoplastic roofing is made to flex, it is generally resilient in the face of hail. However, severe hail could damage the layers beneath the surface without showing any visible damage. An important thing to note is that thermoplastic roofing is a comparatively new technology. Working with a professional roofer can help you properly evaluate how this type of material holds up to severe weather in your area.

Severe Weather Risks with All Commercial Roofs—Regardless of Construction Material

Regardless of their construction material, all commercial roofs are susceptible to damage from wind uplift and water. Wind uplift is when “strong air gets underneath the roof materials and pulls them up.” When this happens, “rain can get underneath and begin to rot out the materials.” Water damage can either be acute or occur over time. If wind uplift severely damages the integrity of the roof, water can enter within a short time frame. But if wind uplift does not occur, there is still a risk of ponding water on roofs without sufficient slope.

While ponding water may not cause an immediate problem, over time, it can wear down the surface of a roof and form a leak. No matter what type of roof you have, if you’ve recently experienced severe weather, you’ll want to check for damage. This is best done by a roofing professional, as some damage may not be immediately noticeable—or may be so subtle that it can only be detected by an experienced professional.

Contact Maxwell Roofing today to learn how our emergency repair services can get your roof back to 100%.

3 Tips for Weatherproofing Your Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Drip.

Wait. Was that water?

Drop.

Where is it coming from?

You look up and feel another drop of water land on your face.

For a business owner,this is the beginning of a headache that will likely span weeks, beginning with a drop of water and ending with a check for thousands of dollars leaving your pocket. But, what could you have done? And, how can you prevent this from happening again?

The fact is, all roofs will need repair at some point, but, thereare things you can do to prolong the life of your roof and avoid costly repairs for as long as possible. One of the best ways to avoid excessive repair costs is to make sure your roof is properly weatherproofed. Here are three, simple things to consider when weatherproofing your roof.

  • Roof Structure—Most commercial roofs are flat and can be made of a variety of materials, including bitumen, metal, plastic, foam, and more. Before beginning the process of weatherproofing your roof, you must know what you’re working with. What is your roof made of, and what weatherproofing capabilities does it currently have? Where is it lacking? No matter which type of roof your building has, it will eventually leak and wear down, but determining the structure of your roof and understanding its strengths and weaknesses will give you a clearer picture of what must be addressed during the weatherproofing process.
  • Geography—Where is your business located? What’s the weather like? If you’re located in the Mid-South, you likely experience all four seasons. So, you’ll have to protect against heat and intense sunlight in the summer, as well as freezing temperatures and ice in the winter. To fully understand how to weatherproof your roof, you must know exactly what weather elements it needs to be protected from.
  • Materials for Weatherproofing—Depending on your business’ location, weatherproofing may not be the same thing as waterproofing. To use the previous example, if your business is located in Tennessee or Alabama, you may need heating cables in the winter for ice protection, as well as additional coating in the summer to protect from intense sunlight. If you want your roof to be completely weatherproof, you may need to use a variety of materials to achieve that goal.

There are many variables to consider when weatherproofing your roof, but if you do your homework, it can be a straightforward process. You simply need to understand the material you’re working with and the weather elements you need to guard against.

While the process can be straightforward, some intricacies may best be addressed by a professional. If you’d like some guidance to determine the best way to weatherproof your roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. We’d love to help you protect your building and avoid costly, unplanned repairs.

Preventative Roofing Maintenance: Tips for Your Common Weather Woes

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roofs are under constant assault from Mother Nature. They are built to withstand weather events like run-of-the mill thunderstorms, rain storms, periods of sustained winds and snowfall. However, all roofs are vulnerable to extreme weather events and you won’t necessarily know just how vulnerable your roof is until something happens. The good news? You can take steps to help guard against weather damage and to receive alerts when wind, hail, rain or ice/snow does a number on your roof.

The Best Defense in Roofing Is A Good Offense

The most important thing that building managers can do to protect the integrity of their roofing system is to know the condition of the roof. Regular, professional roofing inspections can identify damage or defects and can also identify potential vulnerabilities should a nasty weather event occur. In between inspections, facilities managers should conduct check-ups to monitor the roof and to identify any new issues as soon as possible.

Knowing the condition of the roof is important, but it’s only half the battle. Management should be prepared to correct the defects and damage found during inspections and self-checkups. Facilities staff can seal cracks, secure areas that may be vulnerable to high winds, and remove puddled water. Any preventative measures should be shared with your commercial roofing partner, however, so that they can examine those small issues and create a plan for a permanent fix. Putting off repairs, however minor, can leave the roof system vulnerable in the event of a storm.

Keep “Eyes” On The Roof In Any Weather

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to receive an alert if something happened to the roofing system instead of discovering water on the floor of the building? There is a product on the market called Roof Monitor™ that keeps tabs on the conditions of the roof 24/7/365.

The product keeps tabs on water and snow load on flat and low-slope roofs and it alerts building managers if the roof’s perimeter is breached or if the deck experiences sag. The sensors send a signal that triggers a call to building managers and immediately dispatches an authorized repair team to the site to assess the situation and make necessary fixes to protect the roofing system.

Ice And Snow Don’t Have To Cause Stress

They say everything is bigger in the South, and when it comes to hail, nothing could be more true. All southerners are familiar with the sounds and the stresses of a hailstorm which can pound ice chunks on a roof at speeds of 90 miles per hour. Hail can wreak havoc on a commercial roof, and it’s important to take precautions to protect sensitive systems. Installing a high-density coverboard over the insulation and under the membrane can guard against hail damage.

There isn’t much snow in the South, but Northern states can deal with several feet of snow over the course of a winter. Those loads can lead to serious roof damage, and in worst cases, collapse. It is good practice to install heating coils on a roof to melt snow in the event of a heavy storm, guarding against major malfunctions.

Whether it’s rain, hail, snow, or wind, Mother Nature can cause real damage to roofing systems. Regular professional inspections and self-checkups are important to keep tabs on the physical conditions of the roof. Construction features like coverboards and heating coils can provide extra protection, as can a sensor system like Roof Monitor™. When it comes to all-weather roofing, prevention is the best medicine.