Roofing

Performing regular inspections and maintenance on your commercial roof is essential to prevent damage to the structure and interior of the building, and to avoid premature roof failure of your roof. If you’ve been putting off routine roof maintenance and can recognize any of the following six signs of trouble, your roof needs prompt professional attention.

#1 Dips and Sags

Dips or sags on a flat roof are a sign that standing water after a rain is compressing the insulation under the roof cover. If the problem isn’t addressed before the membrane deteriorates and starts to leak, water infiltration can rust or rot the decking material, ruin the insulation and weaken the deck structure.

#2 Indoor Moisture Problems

Minor roof leaks may not get noticed until you discover water dripping from the ceilings or puddles on the floor. Less obvious symptoms of moisture intrusions to watch for are high humidity, mold growth, corrosion of the electrical and HVAC components hidden above the ceilings, and unsightly stains on ceiling tiles, walls and/or window frames.

#3 Rising Energy Bills

If your property’s heating and cooling costs are trending upward, the increase may be directly related to problems with the roof. Once water gets into the roof system and saturates the insulation, it loses much of its R-value and the thermal efficiency of the entire building declines.

#4 Blocked Drains

A clogged drain system is the cause of water ponding and the host of problems ponding creates. To check if your drains are flowing freely, keep an eye on the downspouts during the next rain to see if there’s a healthy volume of water being discharged.

#5 Edge Flashing Issues

Your roof’s edge flashing helps keep the membrane securely in place so it stays watertight. To make sure it’s intact, walk the perimeter of the building periodically and give the roof edge a visual checkup. If you spy gaps in the flashing or areas that look loose or bent, rain water has an easy route under the membrane and into your roof system.

#6 Blistering or Bubbling

Blistering is a sign that water vapor is trapped between the layers of roofing material, or the substrate and membrane. The problem is caused by poor adhesion, and if it’s not repaired before the bubbled areas crack, the roof will start to leak.

For help identifying and correcting any of the above issues on your commercial roof, contact us at BELDON Roofing Company.

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