Roofing

Commercial property managers and facilities managers throughout the country need to be aware of five basic facts about their building’s commercial roof. Knowing these fundamentals can make decision-making easier when you have to choose between repair, re-cover or replacement. For commercial roofing, San Antonio managers have a sixth concern (heat) that adds to the complexity of the decision.

1. Composition

Even if you know the difference between single-ply and built-up roofing (BUR), you may not know which type of single-ply roof your building has. Be aware, too, if your building has been added to over the years, the main roof may be one type, and add-ons could be roofed in different materials.

Typical commercial roofing San Antonio facilities managers may encounter include:

  • – Single-ply membrane
  • – Built-up roofing
  • – APP or SBS (Modified Bitumen)
  • – Metal

If uncertain as to your industrial roof’s composition, call a professional roofer to assess your roof.

2. Age

Regarding commercial roofing, San Antonio property managers usually encounter ages in two ways:

  • – Chronologically
  • – Chemically

San Antonio and other hot parts of the country are hard on commercial roofs. The sun’s ultraviolet rays break down chemicals in all roofing materials, so knowing not only when your roof was installed but also how rapidly it has aged can help guide decisions on budgets for repair versus replacement.

3. Repair Record

Just as you keep careful records of rooftop visitors, keep records showing repairs. This information should include diagrams, photographs or drawings that accurately point to the extent of a repair and its composition. Repairing an internal drain, for example, will expose layers of the roof deck, while seam repair will generally only reach down as far as insulation.

4. Repair Budget

Know your building’s repair budget at the beginning of your fiscal year, so you can apportion inspection and repair services throughout the year. Spending half the budget in the first quarter may work once or twice; do not depend on that spending pattern to sustain proper upkeep.

5. Manufacturer’s Warranty

Most commercial roofing is backed by either full or pro-rated warranties against manufacturing defects and, occasionally, installation errors. Make certain you know what is covered and for how long.

By partnering with a dependable, local expert in commercial roofing, facilities managers can learn a lot in a short time about their roofs. Contact BELDON® today for inspection, repair and other commercial roofing services.

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