A good roofing system is the first line of defence for your structure. It guards your goods, your equipment, and most importantly, your employees. Nonetheless, a good roofing system is not permanent. You might be forced to spend a fortune on repairs if you fail to notice the early warning signs of a roofing system that is failing.
It is a difficult decision for a business owner to know when to repair a roofing system and when to change the whole system. While repairing a roofing system is the cheapest option for a business owner, it can be a mere postponement of the inevitable. Knowing the early warning signs of a roofing system that is failing will enable you to plan for a replacement even if a repair job is the cheapest option. The following are the key warning signs that your roofing system is due for a replacement!
The Age of the Roof
As a rule of thumb, the enemy of a roofing material is time. The average life expectancy of a roofing system is between 20 and 30 years. Nevertheless, the life expectancy of a roofing system is also dependent on the quality of the materials used. If the life expectancy of your roofing system is nearing an end, then the warning signs are very apparent. While your roofing system might look perfect from the ground, the materials will have lost the elasticity to expand and contract with the change of the seasons. The natural degradation of the materials will make the whole system more vulnerable to cracking and failure if a storm hits.
Increasing Energy Bills
Your roof is one of the contributing factors to the temperature inside your premises. If you have noticed that your energy bills increase over time, it could be an indication that your roof is damaged in some way. This is because, over time, the insulation material used in the roof becomes damaged due to exposure to water. The insulation material becomes compressed and damaged. The reflective material used on top of your roof could be damaged. Replacing your roof with a new type of roof could save you from increased energy bills.
Visible Wear and Tear
Visible inspection could also be very helpful in establishing whether your roof is damaged in some way. The presence of bubbles on top of your roof could be an indication that there was moisture trapped under your roof. The presence of moisture could cause your roof adhesive to fail; the roof could fail completely.
The roof could also be damaged in that you notice that the roof flashing is rusty, bent, and detached from your roof. This is an indication that your roof flashing is damaged and needs to be replaced immediately. The roof flashing is used to protect the vulnerable areas on your roof from exposure to water.
Persistent Leaks and Water Damage
A single leak could be a minor occurrence, but if the leaks persist, then there is a problem and you need a commercial roofing company. If you are constantly putting out buckets in the warehouse or touching up the water stains on the ceiling tiles, then your roof is in trouble.
Water travels, so do not think that if there is a leak inside your building, that the leak is coming in only through the ceiling directly below. This is why it is so difficult and expensive to find these kinds of leaks. Additionally, if the moisture is consistent, then this could cause the steel decks to rust or the wood structures to rot, which could cause the entire structure of your building to fail. If the patches do not work, then it is time to replace the entire roof.
Protecting Your Investment
Your commercial building is a big investment, and your roof is a very big part of that investment. Replacing your roof is not only repairing a broken roof, but it is also an investment in your business’s future efficiency and longevity. If you notice any of these signs, then it is time to schedule a professional roof inspection with a reputable roofing contractor!