11 Signs Your Commercial Building Needs a New Roof

The roof is one of the most crucial parts of your commercial building. It protects everything, from your employees to your machinery and your products. Often, though, roofing maintenance is overlooked until severe damage occurs, putting your business at risk and necessitating expensive repairs. For this reason, it is crucial to conduct routine roof inspections to protect your company. Read on for 11 signs that your commercial building requires a new roof.

1. Increased energy bills

If you notice unusual spikes in your electricity bill, you should consider having the roof inspected by a reliable roofer. The roof plays a vital role in regulating indoor temperatures. It acts as an insulator, locking heat inside the building during the colder months. In summer, the roof keeps the heat out and the building’s interior cool.

Extensive damage to your roof means it no longer performs its insulation function, and the air conditioning and heating systems must work twice as hard to maintain the ideal indoor temperature. This increases your energy consumption, leading to high electricity bills. Consider investing in a new roof to cut those utility expenses.

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2. Water leaks

If water often drips down inside the building when it rains, you should clearly seek help from professional roofers. However, water leaks can go unnoticed, especially in commercial buildings, since the roof’s underside is not easily visible. For this reason, you should watch for secondary signs of water leakage, including water or mold spots on the building’s ceiling. If your commercial building has an attic, perform routine inspections to spot signs of water damage.

Contact a professional roofing company to have the roof inspected if you notice water leaks. Early action can prevent severe structural damage. If you are spending a lot of cash on roof leakage repairs, you may need to invest in a new roof. While the initial roof replacement cost is high, you will realize significant long-term cost savings.

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3. Musty odors

A foul, musty odor around your commercial building is a sign of mold growth. Mold growth often results from excess moisture. You could consider deep-cleaning the building and adjusting the air conditioning unit to prevent additional mold growth.

If the odor persists, hire a professional roofing contractor to inspect and replace the roof. The new roof will help prevent the damp conditions that lead to mold growth problems.

Mold growth can result in severe health problems, so it is essential to fix the issue promptly to protect yourself and your employees.

4. Bubbles and blistering

A damaged roof often traps moisture and air between the membrane and the underlayment, forming bubbles and blisters. You should regularly inspect your commercial building’s roof to catch and remove bubbles and blisters in a timely manner. If the blisters keep recurring, it shows that the entire building’s membrane is damaged, necessitating a new roof.

5. Standing water on your commercial building’s roof

After a heavy downpour, it is not unusual to notice ponding or standing water on your commercial building’s roof. However, it may be a cause of concern if the water does not evaporate or drain within two to three days. If standing water persists, you should contact a professional for roof repairs or replacement.

Ponding roof water accelerates your commercial building roof’s deterioration and can result in water leaks, mold growth and sagging. A large amount of standing water, especially on a rubber or asphalt roof, can degrade the roofing system’s integrity.

6. Roof sagging

Your commercial building’s roofing system must always maintain its structural integrity. Roof sagging indicates underlying issues, including water leaks, which could compromise the joists, sheathing and rafters.

Depending on the extent of the damage and the impact on the rest of the roof, you might decide to replace the damaged areas and leave the rest of the roofing system intact. However, if there is widespread roofline sagging or dropping, invest in a complete roof replacement.

7. Damage caused by contractors

Some contractors may be given access your commercial building’s systems to install or repair appliances and equipment, such as air conditioning systems. While they tend to be cautious, an accident could happen, causing damage to the roofing system.

If you realize that a contractor has caused damage to your roof, it is prudent to have a professional roofer inspect the building to thoroughly evaluate any issues. Based on the extent of the damage, the roofer can recommend a roofing system repair or a complete replacement.

8. Loose roofing materials

Your roofing material protects you from extreme environmental conditions such as heavy rains and wind. Over time, these weather conditions can cause the roofing materials, including metal sheets, shingles and gutters, to loosen.

This can cause extensive damage to your commercial building’s roofing system and reduce its lifespan, along with increasing your energy bills. Consider a complete roof replacement, especially if your commercial building has an extended area of loose materials.

9. Wear and tear on the roof’s flashing

The flashing is a crucial part of your commercial building’s roofing system. It creates a seal between the roof and the structure and protects the roof materials from moisture. Be sure to conduct regular flashing inspections to ensure it is in excellent condition.

Flashing failures can lead to debris and water getting into your commercial building. If you notice wear and tear, or if the flashing is missing or deteriorated, you should contact professional roofers for repairs or replacement.

10. The roofing system is more than 25 years old

One of the easiest ways to determine whether it is time to replace your commercial building’s roof is by determining its age. Most roofing materials last between 10 and 25 years, after which they start deteriorating.

Old roofs may need frequent repairs, which could cost you many thousands of dollars. Instead, invest in a complete roof replacement.

11. Animal activities

Animals often cause substantial damage to both commercial and residential buildings. If your commercial property has chewing, scratch marks or holes, among other evidence of animal activities, contact roofing professionals for replacement.

Conclusion

Keeping the roofing system in excellent condition is crucial to maintaining your commercial building’s structural integrity and protecting your business and your tenants or employees. Do not hesitate to contact a roofing expert for complete replacement if you notice a musty odor, water leaks, animal activity, sagging, loose materials, blistering, flashing issues or other signs of damage.