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Critical Signs that Your Commercial Roof Needs Replacement

The roof is like any exterior part of a building, it needs to be durable enough to face extreme weather conditions and daily wear & tear. Compared to a residential roof, a commercial roof needs to be more durable. In the case of an industry, the heat emitting from the machines dissipates through the chimneys, and the area around the chimney is more prone to excessive heat and moisture. Similarly, most commercial buildings have Air conditioning and ducting installed on the roof. The roof needs to bear the weight of HVAC units and absorb all the vibrational energy emanating from them.

Any significant damage to the roof, such as material or structural, may prove hazardous. Your business can come down to a complete standstill due to this. Hence, most roofing contractors in Denver recommend seasonal roof inspections. “A stitch in time surely saves nine.” So, failure to get minor roof problems fixed in time will evolve into extensive structural damages that require complete roof replacement. Thankfully, lookout for some of the sure signs discussed here. You can deduce if you should consider local commercial roof replacement in Denver or not based on them.

Signs that Scream Out Commercial Roof Replacement

Increased Utility and Energy Bills:

A sign of a good roof is thermal insulation. A good roof should have excellent sealing around the edges and overlapping layers in the middle. This is irrespective of the materials used as the foundation of the roof. Yet, with time cracks develop over the roof surface, and expose the underlying layers. This can render the layers weak. As a result, the thermal insulation is affected.

During the summer, direct sunlight causes the roof to heat up. The cracks cause the air in the surrounding area to heat as well. As a result, the internal temperature starts to increase considerably. The air conditioning unit needs to work extra hard to regulate the temperature. During the winters, the outside cold air can enter from cracks & crevices in the roof and drop the internal temperature. The thermostat would be overused to compensate for the temperature drop.

In both cases, this leads to an excess of energy consumption. It can burn a hole in your pockets as this results in the increased energy or utility bills. Roof replacement costs may seem high at the moment. Yet, in the long run, the money wasted in the form of excess energy bills can justify the need for roof replacement.

Signs of Leaks:

Stagnant water is hazardous. Not only can it corrode the roof surface, but it can find its way inside through the most minor crack. This opens up Pandora’s box of problems for your roof. This can prove hazardous for your equipment, inventory, and building structure. It can lead to electrocution or short circuits in contact with any concealed electric wires. Moisture and dampness attract mold and algae, leading to discoloration on the surface. When the mold grows and spreads, it leads to damage to the roof and its components. This causes various respiratory-related issues when inhaled.

Depending on the severity of the roof damage, you can minimize the water damage. Look for signs of leaks such as dark streaks, discolored areas, and signs of mold on the ceiling. If you can smell a distinct stench at particular walls or find a pool of water in the surrounding area, it is a sign that water is leaking inside from a crack in the roof or wall.

Chipping or Cracked Roof Surface:

If the commercial roof was not installed properly, air gaps may be present between the layers. When direct sunlight hits the roof, the air bubble can expand and form blisters and bumps. Additionally, the topmost layer becomes dry from exposure to direct sunlight. Cracks can quickly develop over such surfaces. These cracks, as mentioned earlier, become gateways for air and moisture to enter inside, leading to further problems. Physical trauma such as something heavy falling on the roof can also cause the surface to be damaged.

The cavity formed from the blisters can also become an entryway for pests and rodents. They are disease carriers and very difficult to get rid of once they make a nest. Over time, the blisters and punctures on the roof can significantly degrade the roof and reduce its lifespan. These may be difficult to observe by the naked eye. Yet, by booking a roof inspection, a roofing contractor Denver  can quickly notice such defects.

Damaged Drains:

Most commercial roofing in Denver is primarily flat in structure. There is a slight tilt as they rely on drain pipes for removing debris and water on the roof. If the drains are damaged or blocked, the water remains collected on the roof. This pooled water can exert additional weight over the roof and cause the roof to sag.

This sagging can cause trouble later on as this counteracts the tilt of the roof. This causes more water to collect in the future, even after the drains are repaired. The roof sag also exerts pressure on the flashing and affects the overlapping layers. The gap in overlap can cause water to seep inside and cause problems, as mentioned earlier.

Materials Exceeding Lifespan:

On average, a commercial roof lasts up to 40 years, depending on the roofing materials used. The material quality and frequency of maintenance also play a role in the rate of speed of roof aging. With proper documentation, you can calculate or track the age of your roof. Depending on the current condition, take a call on the roof replacement. Approximate durability of different roofing materials is:

 

  • TPO roof system – 22-30 years
  • EPDM roof system – 22-35 years
  • Metal roof system – 30-45 years
  • Asphalt roof system – 20-40 years

Why consider Roof Replacement?

As a business, you are aiming to maximize your profits. Sometimes a roof replacement in Denver may seem a costly option that can be put off for a later date. Yet, there are benefits to roof replacement as follows:

 

  1. Extend the lifespan of a building: Every building has a lifespan. When you make severe changes to it (with proper permits and permissions), you are extending the life of your building. Also, by replacing the roof, you can avoid depreciation costs over 39 years.
  2. Tax Benefits: As per the Internal Revenue cost (section 179), you can write off the entire cost of roof replacement (up to $1,000,000).
  3. Better Safety: By upgrading your roof to a class A fire rating, you enhance the safety of your roof. You also become eligible for a lower insurance cost.
  4. Complete Peace of Mind: As mentioned earlier, severe damage to your roof can bring your business to a complete standstill. By replacing your roof at the most opportune time, you extend its lifespan. This allows you peace of mind as you can postpone the worry to a later date.

Wrapping Up

Your commercial roof is vulnerable to various weather elements and issues. They can ruin the building’s structural strength, integrity and reduce the roof’s lifespan. Hence preventive commercial roof maintenance is necessary. Yet, sometimes roof repairs and rectifications don’t work. Then one should opt for roof replacement from a trusted commercial roofing contractor.

Cicerone Chelmu

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