It’s no secret that a commercial roof can be expensive. Thus, you want to make sure that the job is done correctly. That way, the roof will last as long as possible and won’t give you any trouble.
If you’re hoping that your roof will be effective and efficient, there are some mistakes you need to avoid. Read on to find out what these are.
1. Waiting Too Long to Get the Roof Replaced
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your commercial roof often. As long as it is keeping your building and occupants safe, then you don’t need to worry about it.
While you don’t need to be thinking about your roof on a daily basis, it should cross your mind every once in a while. If not, this could lead to a lot of problems.
You don’t want to wait until your roof fails before you get it replaced. Depending on the type of commercial roofing material you have on your building, it can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
However, adverse weather conditions, animals, and other damage can decrease the lifespan of your roof. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to your commercial roof is waiting too long to get it replaced.
Not only will it cost a lot to fix any roof issues that are encountered by procrastinating, but you also run the risk of having to deal with other damage. This might include mold growth or structural issues—both of which can be expensive to remediate.
Don’t make the mistake of putting off roof replacement until it’s absolutely necessary. Be proactive and get this done as soon as necessary.
2. Not Having it Inspected Often
One of the ways you can determine when your roof needs to be replaced is to have it inspected on a regular basis.
This is another mistake a lot of commercial building owners make. Again, they don’t think about their roof until there’s a problem. By the time those arise, getting them fixed can be expensive.
When you have a professional inspect your roof regularly, you are taking care of commercial roof maintenance. They’ll be able to find signs of damage and fix any problems before they become serious issues. This can save you a lot of money and extend the life of your roof.
3. Adding New Roofing Materials Over Old Materials
It might seem like adding new roofing material over the old material will ensure your roof functions optimally. However, this isn’t true.
The old material on your roof has been exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, dirt, and debris. Ultraviolet light from the sun has broken it down and made it less effective—which are all reasons why you need to get them replaced.
If you attempt to put the new material over the old, you probably won’t be able to get a good seal. All of the dirt and other debris will be trapped in between the two layers, and this could cause damage and corrosion to both the new and old materials.
If you want weatherproof commercial roofs and material that is effective, the old material has to be removed. This will add time to the commercial roof replacement, but it will also ensure that your new roof lasts as long as possible.
4. Not Having a Leak Barrier
The roofing material on your commercial building does an excellent job of protecting against moisture, but it still needs some help. That’s why having a leak barrier is so important.
Of course, adding this to your building will add to the commercial roofing cost, but it could save you in the long run. Not only can moisture cause rot wood and damage the decking and structural integrity of your building, but it can also contribute to mold growth. This can have a negative impact on people’s health.
Your roof needs to be properly protected from moisture, and having a leak barrier will accomplish that goal. Don’t make the mistake of not including this in your commercial roof design.
5. Having Inadequate Ventilation
In addition to installing a leak barrier on your roof, you also need proper ventilation. This can also reduce the amount of moisture that builds up at the top of your building.
Having inadequate ventilation can also lead to an increase in heat. This can damage or warp your roofing material, making it less effective at its job.
When you hire a professional roofer to install your commercial roof, they’ll be able to add the right ventilation to ensure that your roof functions optimally.
6. Trying to Fix Problems by Yourself
When you venture out onto your commercial roof, you might think that it looks simple and straightforward. Thus, you might decide to make repairs on your own. This can be disastrous.
Commercial roofs are actually quite complex. Should you try to make fix problems on your own, you might wind up creating more damage. When that occurs, you’ll have to call in a professional to get the issues fixed.
To save yourself time, money, and hassle, just call a professional in from the beginning. They’ll be able to fix the problem with ease and keep your roof in the best shape possible.
In an effort to save some money, you might also decide that you want to do your own commercial roofing. Again, this is not advised.
Not only do you need the proper tools and knowledge, but you have to have the right safety training and gear.
You are several stories above the ground. If you fall, this could result in serious injury or even death.
In addition, the environment on top of your building probably isn’t what you expect. It can be incredibly hot and uncomfortable. If you don’t know how to deal with that, you could become dehydrated or get heatstroke, which can have negative impacts on your health.
Professionals have the right safety gear and have been trained to deal with a wide range of environmental conditions on a commercial building. They are best equipped to fix or replace your roof. Stay safe and call in professional roofers. You’ll save yourself more than money.
7. Issues with the Decking
The decking on your commercial building is the foundation that the roofing material will be laid on top of. If there are any problems with this, there will be problems with your roof.
If you have never installed or repaired a roof, you might not recognize decking problems. Thus, you won’t know that they need to be fixed.
Letting these issues go could result in leaks or potentially complete roof collapse. Don’t make this mistake. Only trust roof repairs and installation to professionals who know what they’re doing.
8. Ignoring the Drip Edge
Water and moisture are the biggest issues when it comes to your roof’s integrity, so ensuring that it doesn’t get into your building is of utmost importance.
A mistake a lot of people make when installing a commercial roof is that they ignore the drip edge.
This is in place to direct water from the top of the building into the gutters and away from the structure. If you don’t have a drip edge or it was installed improperly, you’ll get water into your building. Seriously, you don’t want this to happen.
9. Incorrect Nailing
The nails on your roof are in place to hold the roofing material down. If they are in the wrong place, this could result in the material lifting and water getting into your building.
Incorrect nailing could also weaken the overall structure of your roof, which could result in roof collapse or other damage.
Professionals with skills and experience know how to use nails correctly. Thus, they should be the only ones adding this element to the top of your building.
10. Hiring the Wrong Roofing Contractor
Not all roofing contractors are created equally. If you want to make sure your roof is as effective and protective as possible, you need to work with the best.
This means checking out their credentials and making sure their license and insurance coverage is up to date. They should also have several years of experience, as this means they are reputable and trustworthy. If they have been around for a while, this is an indication that customers are willing to pay them to make commercial roof repairs or do a replacement.
They should also offer warranties on their work. There’s always a chance that something could go wrong during the repair or replacement process. The best roofer will guarantee and fix any mistakes to ensure your commercial roof protects your building and the occupants.
Avoiding Commercial Roofing Mistakes and Working With the Best
If you’re looking for a way to avoid commercial roofing mistakes, then you need to work with the best professional roofer. At Heins Contracting, we provide quality products and top-notch warranties. We also pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer service.
Avoid mistakes and ensure that your commercial roof lasts as long as possible. Contact us today for all of your commercial and residential roofing needs!
