In the San Francisco Bay Area, commercial roofs are mostly flat or low-sloped and maintenance managers often complain that they are the most challenging part of managing a commercial building. This is due to the fact that these roofs, especial if they are built-up roof (BUR) systems, tend to have problems even when they are relatively new. At Armstrong Foam Roofing, we have been helping our commercial clients find the best solutions for their replacement roofing issues since 1966. In this article, we’d like to share some words of advice with managers and owners of commercial facilities about commercial roof replacement.
Choice of Roofing System
Commercial roofs tend to have problems because the main criteria used to determine which type of roofing system to use is based on the initial cost rather than suitability (life-cycle cost). It is a fact that replacing a commercial roof is a significant investment and can be disruptive to the day-to-day operations of the facility. As a result, managers and building owners need to take into consideration a number of important concerns which may impede the successful installation/replacement of their commercial roof. But they also need to take into account the effectiveness of their roof replacement. For example, Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) roofing systems can provide unsurpassed protection against the elements, excellent energy efficiency, low maintenance and will start to pay for themselves the moment they are installed.
Signs of Deterioration
The majority of commercial building owners and managers postpone replacing the roof until they notice serious problems to the point of roof failure. It’s rare for a roof to fail suddenly, therefore the condition of a roof needs to be monitored carefully and any signs of deterioration should be recorded and dealt with as soon as possible. Signs of deterioration such as membrane movement, flashing lifts, seam splits, blistering and alligatoring, and, of course, water leaks are symptoms indicating that a roofing system is beginning to fail. And while many roofs may not present a serious leak or issue, they are well past their recommended service life; with the potential for huge costs associated with an old or damaged roof.
Conduct Regular Roof Inspections
In order to keep track of your commercial roof’s condition, you should schedule regular roof inspections conducted by qualified individuals. It is recommended that the roof inspections take place in the fall, after exposure to the high temperatures of summer, and in the spring to look for damage caused by winter weather phenomena.
It’s vital that these inspections take place in order to enable you to gain a better understanding of your roof’s performance and its rate of deterioration. If you notice that the rate of deterioration is accelerating and you need to conduct repair more frequently then it can be assumed that the roof needs to be replaced since it must be approaching the end of its service life. The fact that a roof displays no major problems should not mean that you can postpone its replacement. If you notice that your roofing system is deteriorating more rapidly even though it may not have reached its average lifespan, you shouldn’t wait until it reaches it before you actually replace it. Replacing your roof should be determined by the actual condition of the roof and not its lifespan.
Don’t Wait For Your Commercial Roof To Fail
Unfortunately, many commercial building owners believe that replacing their roofing system before it actually fails is a waste of money. However, by replacing it before it fails, you can save money on interior damages that could be caused by a roof failure and disruptions to your business operations. What’s more, you can schedule the replacement at a time when it will minimize disruptions to your facility. Furthermore, you will have the time to evaluate the best roofing options for your facility and find the most qualified and trusted roofing contractor since you won’t be in a hurry to get it done!
For more information about SPF commercial roofing systems or a Free Estimate, please contact Armstrong Foam Roofing today. Our extensive experience in SPF commercial roofing coupled with the best, longest-lasting warranties available means that you won’t go wrong with Armstrong. Before considering any other roofing system for your flat or low-sloped commercial roof, let Armstrong show you why our Bay Area SPF roofing systems are the best investment for your home or commercial facility!
For more information about the benefits of foam roofing systems, please read some of our previous articles: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.