Prepare your roof for winter with a commercial roofing survey
While storms can happen at any time of the year, there’s no denying that winter is the worst for rain and wind, with the additional concerns of snow and ice. The unpredictable weather and plunging temperatures can result in problems with your commercial roof.
If left unchecked and unprepared, your roof can wear down prematurely and cause a whole host of complications for your business. Luckily, we’re here to tell you how commercial roofing contractors can help you to avoid this, ensuring that your roof is watertight for winter.
How winter can affect your commercial roof
You might think ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’ when it comes to your roof bearing the brunt of winter. However, if you don’t prepare your commercial roof properly for the colder seasons, it can have severe consequences for your business.
Whether the space is used for storage, a shop, or an office, there are probably plenty of high-value items on your premises. The last thing you need is for leaks or mould to ruin products or equipment, or even cause health problems for your staff.
Here are just some of the effects that winter weather can have on your commercial roof:
- Snow – the weight of heavy snowfall can put stress on the structure when it builds up.
- Ice – run-off water can freeze into a ridge of ice at the edge, blocking drainage like a dam.
- Wind – strong gusts of wind can peel back coverings and blow debris onto the roof.
- Hail – stones of ice can strike the surface hard enough to cause dents, punctures, or cracks.
Clogged gutters from ice or debris can cause standing water to build up in puddles or ponds, especially on flat roofs. The freezing and thawing cycle can lead to moisture seeping into small gaps and expanding, causing the roofing material to bubble, blister, or crack.
Signs of winter roof deterioration can vary from spots of discolouration, signifying a leak, to a sagging or bowing roof from extensive structural damage. If you fail to take adequate steps to secure your roof, the resulting damage can be costly to fix.
Not only will it shorten the lifespan of your roof, you’ll also have to pay for repairs or a replacement much sooner than necessary – and, if you’re at fault due to negligence, your building insurance provider is unlikely to pay out for an accidental damage claim.
How commercial roofing contractors can help
When you hire a commercial roofing contractor to conduct a survey of your roof, they’ll be able to sign off on its soundness for the following season. If there is an issue with the roof, they can identify it and fix it right away, preventing it from getting worse over the winter.
Commercial roof surveys involve examining the inside and outside of your building for signs of damage, using processes such as:
- Moisture probes
- Electronic leak detection
- Infrared thermal surveys
- Core sampling
- Drone camera surveys
If it’s difficult to access your roof, or doing so would cause too much disruption to your business, a drone can capture 4K photographs from every angle. Commercial roofing inspectors will look at everything for evidence of degradation, including:
- Membranes
- Flashing
- Gutters
- Joints
- Dividers
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Decks
They’ll know exactly what to look for, and how to recognise signs of deterioration and diagnose the source. They can then advise you on the best course of action, give you a competitive quote for the recommended works, and carry them out if you’re happy to proceed.
You should be arranging a professional roof inspection on a regular basis, so any issues don’t go undetected for too long. In addition to getting a survey before winter, you should also arrange one for the summer, when different weather problems can present themselves.
Choose NWIR for maintenance and repairs
It’s important to monitor your roof for signs of disrepair, including regular inspections and cleaning to remove debris and restore surfaces. A qualified commercial roofing contractor is the best person to do this properly and oversee the appropriate roof maintenance procedures.
Whether your roof is flat or sloped, metal or single-ply membrane, specialists from the NWIR have the expertise to analyse and repair your commercial roof. Don’t delay in hiring our services – contact us today to prepare your roof for the upcoming winter.