Experiencing frequent issues with your commercial roof? You likely need a roof repair. An important factor in maintaining an appealing and functioning property is a reliable roof. If you need your roof repaired, it's important to understand the various types of roof repairs offered.
Master Roofers is here to assist you in the process of understanding and selecting the proper roof repairs for your commercial property. Our team at Master Roofers will help explain common commercial roof repairs, types of commercial roof construction, roof types, and the reasons to choose a commercial roofing expert over a roof repair contractor.
8 Most Common Commercial Roof Repairs You're Sure to Encounter
If you own a commercial property and need roofing repairs, these eight commercial roof repairs are the most common to encounter.
1. Roof Leaks
Leaks in your commercial roof can happen due to a multitude of reasons. If your commercial roof is on the older side and has multiple weak points, water can wreak havoc not only on the roof but inside the property. Leaks aren't an issue that will naturally vanish, fix them as soon as they manifest.
2. Ponding Water
A common issue among commercial roofs is ponding water, also known as standing water. Ponding water can grow into a bigger issue if not addressed right away. Those issues include mold, mildew growth, and water damage. In the end, ponding water can cause leaks and shorten the lifespan of the roof.
Ponding water can be the result of clogged drains or poor drainage as the result of uneven roofing materials. These symptoms stem from bad roof installation, poor workmanship, and a roof that's nearing the end of its lifespan.
3. Punctures and Tears
Caused by a variety of sharp objects such as nails and screws, punctures and tears are a common cause that attributes to commercial roof damage. Tears can also stem from heavy foot traffic and improper handling of the roof by workers during installation or maintenance.
4. Damage to Flashing
A roof's flashing protects the joints and seams from water infiltration. Flashing is often damaged by harsh weather conditions or the flashing becomes loose due to natural expansion and shrinkage due to temperature changes.
5. Blistering
Blistering on a commercial roof is the result of sun and heat damage. Blistering could also indicate the presence of a leak. It's the accumulation of water on the roof deck that can cause blistering. This can then form a bubble that separates the layers of roofing material during periods of hot weather.
6. Shrinkage of the Membrane
Shrinkage of the roof's membrane is caused by UV rays, which lead to cracks and leaks. This roofing issue is commonly seen in single-ply roofing systems. When the membrane shrinks, it can tear and lead to leaks around corners and edges where the roof meets the building's walls. Further water infiltration can also be caused by the membrane being pulled away from its substrate due to shrinkage and becoming detached.
7. Weather Damage
One of the major issues that leads to roof repair is weather damage. Summer brings heavy storms and winter brings in unforgiving weather conditions. Whether it's loose flashing due to high winds or snow and ice, potential damage is possible throughout the year.
8. Lack of Maintenance
Commercial property owners want to keep everything running smoothly, and an aspect that is needed to accomplish that is roof maintenance. The lack or neglect of roof maintenance can lead to major issues that can become costly, like an entire roof replacement.
For those reasons, commercial property owners should make sure they are scheduling regular roof inspections. Regular roof inspections provide a firm grasp on the roof's status for commercial property owners. Master Roofers offers a comprehensive list of commercial roofing services, including inspections.
Types of Commercial Roof Construction
Many commercial property owners are unaware of which type of roof construction they need. If you think you need a roof repair, read on to learn about the three types of commercial roof construction:
Flat Roof Commercial Construction
Flat roof commercial construction is a common option because it gives engineers and architects more leeway. Equipment will be mounted on the roof and construction will allow for the roof to be sloped. This is accomplished by using insulation to prevent any ponding water.
Low Slope Commercial Construction
Low slope commercial construction is conducted when the roof has a positive slope that drains water from the rooftop. However, not all materials aid themselves in this type of construction. For example, metal installation on a sloped roof leads to leakage and maintenance issues.
Steep Slope Commercial Construction
Steep slope commercial construction uses high-quality metal materials like standard seam roofing, similar to residential construction. Metal or wood trusses can be constructed or custom-framed.
Top 5 Commercial Roof Types
- Single-ply Roofing
Single-ply roofing is a very popular roofing material seen across commercial and residential flat roofs. This type of roofing comes in varying thickness and costs between $10.50 to $15.50 per square foot.
- Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen is a commercial roof type that is known for efficient commercial roofing applications. Mod-bit roofs offer supreme durability due to their multiple layers with different installation methods, making them great for commercial roofs that see a lot of foot traffic. Multiple layers of installation mean higher labor and material costs, making this option less budget-friendly. Maintenance is also much tougher with this type of roofing, making maintenance costs expensive as well. The price of this type of roof ranges from $6.50 to $11.50 per square foot.
- Built-up Roof
Like mod-bit roofs, built-up roofing is made up of multiple layers. This roof is made up of piles of fiberglass rolls and hot tar between each layer. It is common for built-up roofs to have between four to six layers. When it comes to future maintenance, the top layer is the most important. A top-layer rock finish to a hot tar roof provides a challenging repair, and the cost of this roof is on the expensive side.
Built-up roofs can last between 20 and 30 years because of their durability. This makes for a roof that can withstand tons of foot traffic. The price range to expect for a built-up roof is between $15.50 and $25.50 per square foot.
- Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is another popular choice for commercial roofing due to its curb appeal and longevity. There are two main types of metal roofing systems: standing seam metal and screw-down metal. The three types of metal materials commonly used are aluminum, steel, and galvalume. These three types of metal materials are cost-effective, provide a wide range of aesthetic looks, and longevity.
- Asphalt Shingles
Commonly used on homes, asphalt shingles are still commonly used on commercial buildings. Upgraded or designer shingles tend to be more popular for commercial applications because of their wind protection and curb appeal. They can even last between 25 to 35 years. The price range for this type of roofing is between $5.50 to $8.50 per square foot.
Reasons To Choose a Commercial Roofing Expert Over A Roof Repair Contractor
Seeking out commercial roof repairs means you want the best professionals on the job. Choosing commercial roofing experts over a roof repair contractor will provide you with these benefits:
Expertise
Contracts
Free Estimates
High-Quality Materials
Safety
Accountability
Careful Planning
Peace of Mind
We Are Experienced in Many Commercial Roof Types, Techniques and Materials
Need professional roofing contractors in Manchester, NH, and North Shore, MA? Master Roofers has experience in commercial roofing services that your commercial property needs. Contact Master Roofers today for all of your commercial roofing needs.