Roofers Have Things Nailed Down

What Commercial Roofers Look For When Inspecting Your Roof For a Roof Replacement

21 July 2023

Nora Mcdonalid

If the roof on your building is old or has been damaged in a storm, a commercial roofer can inspect your building to determine if you need a roof replacement. If your roof has a leak, it should be repaired before the inside of your building becomes water damaged. If you put a new roof on before the old one has too much water damage, the roofer might be able to put a new membrane over the old roof. To give you a better understanding of what to expect from an inspection, here are things a commercial roofer looks for when deciding if it's time for a new roof installation.

Cracks And Holes

The amount of damage on your roof will determine if your old membrane needs to be replaced. If you've kept up with maintenance, there may not be too much damage. However, a recent hailstorm or a bird or animal problem that involved pecking or clawing at the membrane might have caused widespread damage. If there's too much damage for repairs to be done, then the roofer might recommend a roof replacement instead.

Wet Insulation Boards

When your roof has widespread damage, there might also be widespread water damage under the membrane. A roofing membrane is thin, so it needs to go over the insulation. Insulation boards are used for this purpose. When a membrane leaks, the boards soak up water and become damaged. These boards need to be replaced. If a lot of them have water damage, the commercial roofer will probably recommend a roof replacement that includes tearing off all of the old roofing.

Poor Drainage

Water should always drain off of a flat roof. Typically, commercial roofs are slanted a bit so rain rolls toward the roof drain or gutters. If the drain gets clogged, water may puddle up on the roof. Puddles can also form if leaves pile up and create a dam or when the roof begins to dip or sag, also known as a depression. Poor drainage needs to be fixed because water puddles contribute to the deterioration of the membrane. The commercial roofer might be able to improve drainage by making repairs, but if not, they may recommend a roof replacement so the proper slope of the roof can be restored.

Old Age

Over time, many environmental factors can take a toll on membrane roofing. Constant sun exposure and rain can wear the membrane down. The seams may start coming apart and damage may become more frequent. When your roof is old, it needs to be replaced before it starts leaking. However, commercial roofers sometimes apply a coating on an old roof to get more years of life from it. A coating isn't always a suitable idea, so you'll want to discuss this option with your roofer after they've inspected your roof for damage.

For more information, reach out to a commercial roofer near you, such as Crossover Roofing. Click here for contact information.

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