Commercial Metal Roof Repair: Causes And Why Hire Professionals
Metal roofs have long been the gold standard for businesses, as they offer so many benefits over other roofing types. Like any roofing type though, there’s always a chance that the roof will develop issues over time.
As a business owner, it’s important that you know how to spot these issues quickly. The sooner they can be handled, the easier, and more cost effective, the repairs will be. Here’s everything you need to know about commercial metal roof repair.
The Benefits Of Commercial Metal Roofs
There are a lot of reasons why you’ll be using metal roofs on your commercial buildings. Firstly, they’re incredibly long lasting, with some roofs lasting up to 70 years with the proper care. Plus, that maintenance will be less intensive than with other roofing types. You won’t need to do as much to keep it in top condition and protecting your building.
One of the biggest reasons why businesses use metal roofs is because of their Class A fire rating. With the maximum rating of fire resistance, you know your roof is safe if fire were to ever break out. This is especially important if your business is located in an area that’s prone to wildfires.
With all this in mind, you’ll see that even metal roofs have problems from time to time. What should you be looking out for?
Common Repair Work Needed On Metal Roofs
When do you need commercial metal roof repair? Here are some of the most common causes of damage that you need to be aware of.
Water build up: Like any roof, water is the main enemy of a metal roof. A metal roof does have increased resistance against water thanks to the way that they’re manufactured. As they’re made in large sheets rather than individual tiles, there are less potential entry points for water.
However, even so, water can make its way in if the right conditions are met. For example, if there are blockages in your gutters, then that allows water to overflow back onto the roof and eventually cause leaks. In winter, this also leads to ice dams.
It could also be because the roof wasn’t installed or designed to properly handle water. If the design doesn’t feature enough drainage, or if it hasn’t been installed by experts, then those leaks can happen.
Aging: This is a reason why your roof is starting to sag, or leak. While a metal roof can last a long time, they cannot last forever. At some point the roof will be too old to continue keeping the elements out.
This is why it’s important to know how old your roof is. If you’re doing more and more repair work to keep the roof in decent condition, then you may find it’s more cost effective to replace the roof than repair it. An expert roofer will be able to tell you whether that will be the case.
Vulnerable areas beginning to leak: There are several areas on a commercial metal roof that are vulnerable to the elements. These include things like the vents, any piping going through the roof, roof lights, HVAC units, and gas lines.
As these items all sit on or go through the roof, they represent areas that water could get in through. If you’re starting to see leaking around these areas, that’s a sign that the sealant around them is breaking down.
Damaged roof flashings: Your roof flashings are the metal strips that are used to seal two sections of roof. For example, you’ll see flashing around the roof edges, and skylights. These are essential to the health of your roof as they’ll keep water out, but just like everything else will wear out over time.
If you’re seeing leaks in areas under the flashing, that’s a sign that it’s worn or broken. You will need a roofer to check the damage and repair the flashing as needed.
Poor maintenance: There’s a lot of damage that can happen to a metal roof thanks to the elements, but most of the time the damage will happen because it’s not well maintained.
This doesn’t mean that you need to be up on the roof mending any issues as they happen. Typically, it’s a good idea to inspect the roof twice a year, and call a roofer to check on it. They will be able to diagnose issues fast and fix them before they get worse.
Why Use Professionals For Commercial Metal Roof Repair
If you’ve seen any of the above problems on your metal roof, then you’ll need to get them fixed as soon as possible. It’s tempting to try and handle them yourself, especially if you’re a small business. However, it’s always better to have a professional handle it.
Here’s why:
Expert repairs: When you hire a professional, they’ll be able to spot damage much faster, and put it right. As someone who isn’t in the trade, you may not be able to carry out the repairs to the same standard, or worse, make it worse than it was before.
Safety first: Repairing roofs is a dangerous job. Expert roofers have the training and the equipment needed to make it safe. When you leave the job to them, you’ll ensure that everyone involved in the repair is as safe as can be.
Proper maintenance: If you’re following the procedure of having your roof inspected every two years by a professional, then you’ll be able to reap the benefits of doing so. That expert can catch any issues quickly, and they’ll be able to do a fully expert repair that will keep your roof going for its entire lifespan.
Conclusion
A metal roof can experience issues over time, just like any other roof. If you’re looking out for the warning signs of damage, and calling the experts to handle it when you do see it, then you’ll keep your roof in top condition. This way, you’ll get the full lifespan and value from your metal roof.
