Business owners already have several things to do and plenty of challenges to face on a daily basis. Running a business can already be stressful enough but owning or managing a commercial building can add to the stress as well.
An office operating in a commercial building can suffer financial losses once water inflicts its damage. It can destroy equipment and furniture, computer files, paper records which can force the operations to shut down while repairs are being made. These can have a serious impact on the productivity and generation of income and create more expenses for the business owner as well.
Water damage can originate from different sources, but one of the most common causes are leakage especially with buildings located in areas that experience heavy rainfalls and snow. Most buildings and outbuildings have flat roofs which have their special set of needs and challenges.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to a flat roof is its lack of drainage. Although flat roofs are named as such, they do have a slight slope to them which is enough to encourage drainage, but it’s not nearly as efficient as a pitched roof. This results in water puddling and remaining days after a rainstorm and snow melts.
Roofs are made to withstand heavy pour of rain and snow, but they’re not designed to hold the weight of a large amount of water. Over time, the pooling water can cause incredible strain and lead to leaks that would damage everything inside the structure.
So, commercial building owners and building managers have to ensure that the roof is working effectively to prevent their roof and investments from being ruined by water in the first place.
Roof Inspections and Maintenance
A roof denied the occasional inspection would easily overlook the small issues that would eventually wreak havoc on the structure. A roof that is regularly checked can help catch these issues early on so you could work on a preventative basis to avoid major flat roof repairs from ever emerging which would be more cost efficient in the long run.
Have the roof checked after the seasons’ change, especially after the fall season when leaves and debris are more likely to get caught up on the roof. Snow should be immediately shoveled off the roof as it can also cause significant damage.
Roofing problems become apparent without a proper maintenance regime in place. You’ll find several damages that bring about completely unnecessary and excessive costs.
Small Repairs or Replacements
Despite being well-designed and adequately maintained, roofs will still need a few repairs occasionally. After incidents such as falling debris, high wind or storm damage, there may be a few small cracks and fissures that need some minor repairs.
Roof cracks shouldn’t be underestimated or left unchecked in a flat roof, or you might find yourself with more massive and more costly damage that would need a repair later on.
Unclog Existing Drains
Many cases of leaking occur when debris is left to accumulate on the flat roofs. As the seasons change and harsh weather pass, leaves and other debris get caught up in the gutters and downspouts which causes it to get clogged up. This blocks water from flowing down the grade of the roof or redirect it to other areas.
As a general rule of thumb, gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year. Hire professionals to do the cleaning to make the job easier as a property manager and ensure that the gutter system will be functioning correctly when needed.
Fahey Roofing Contractors can help with necessary roof repairs and replacement. Check out our commercial roof repair services, or contact us at (304) 826-1333 to learn more.