Does Your Commercial Flat Roof Need Repairing or Replacing?

Does Your Commercial Flat Roof Need Repairing or Replacing?

As a business owner, you already have a lot to worry about, and a leaking roof shouldn’t be one of them. Don’t let problems with your commercial flat roof close your business! Read this article to learn what to look for when trying to decide if it’s time to replace a commercial flat roof

A staggering monthly average of $767.67. That’s how much businesses in New Jersey spent on utilities alone in 2016. This means that, as a business owner, you potentially spent a whopping $9,212.04 on your electricity and water bills for only a single year! That’s a lot of money – cash that you could’ve used for growing your business. What’s more concerning is that you could’ve paid more, depending on how energy and water-efficient your office building was. And did you know that a faulty roof could’ve contributed to your higher utility bills? So, when a flat roof needs repairing or replacing, you need to address the issue right away. In fact, this is a concern that goes for any type of roof – flat or shingled, commercial or residential. But when exactly does a malfunctioning roof warrant just repairs? And when should you have it replaced already? Read on to find out!

The Age of Your Roof Matters

How long a roof lasts depends on many different factors, the specific type of roof included. For instance, flat roofs typically have a lifetime of between 10 and 50 years. Huge differences, right? A primary reason is that their longevity also depends on the materials used to cover them. That’s why knowing your flat roof better can make it easier for you to determine whether it’s more cost-effective to repair, or if it already makes sense to replace it. A flat roof that uses asphalt coverings is initially cheaper to install. The drawback is, it’s not rare to see one that lasts for only up to a decade. Rubber, as well as thermoplastic olefin membrane-covered roofing, aka TPO,  last far longer. In most cases, they can serve you anywhere from four to five decades. But be sure to check the manufacturer’s warranty as many are in the range of 10 to 15 years. while some last far longer. Age in mind, you can better gauge whether to only have it repaired or to already go for a replacement. If your roof is only half its age, and it hasn’t given you a lot of headaches yet, then repairs may be your more cost-effective option. On the other hand, if it’s already nearing the end of its life term, then it may be better to invest in a new roof.

How Long Since You’ve Had It Inspected and Maintained by a Roofing Specialist?

Remember when you’ve had your flat roof first installed? Depending on the size of your building, the age of the roof and the type of materials you chose, your investment could have been from the mid-five figures to as high as the low-six figures. As you can imagine, this kind of money never seems to be in the budget, especially with your other business finances to take care of. That’s why reliable commercial roof maintenance experts recommend at least a yearly check-up of roofing systems. That said, can you recall when the last time you had a pro check and inspect your roof? If it was just a year ago, chances are, your roof is still in good condition. If you can’t remember, then it’s time to have a roofer check it ASAP. The best and safest way to determine whether to repair or replace a commercial flat roof is through the trained eyes of a licensed roofing contractor. They can discover the smallest leaks in your roof, which may be the culprit behind the increased moisture inside your commercial establishment. Keep in mind that higher indoor moisture levels can cause health problems. It can also lead to the development of molds and fungi. And all these can lead to lower indoor air quality, which is a big no-no for both homes and businesses.

When “Alligatoring” Has Already Occurred

The term “alligatoring” refers to the phenomenon wherein the asphalt materials of a flat roof have already lost too much elasticity. This then leads to cracking and bubbling. Like what an alligator skin looks like. In most cases, flat roofs that have developed this condition have deteriorated too much. So much so that even more comprehensive repairs won’t do any good. This said a sure way to tell that you need to replace your commercial flat roof is if it now looks like the skin of an alligator.

When There’s Already Too Much Membrane Buckling

Most flat roofs, especially those constructed using asphalt, have a similar build to shingled roofs. In the sense that they both have asphalt-soaked membranes which the roofers then lay out on top of the building. The biggest difference, however, is that flat roofs have built-in membranes. This critical roofing component isn’t a separate part. As such, when the commercial building goes through the shifting and settling cycle, so does the roof. Too much movement can lead to the roof developing buckles in its membrane. If your flat roof has too many of these buckles in the membrane, it’s best you call a commercial roof replacement company. Because it’s typical for excessive buckling to signal the end of a flat roof’s service life. And the longer you wait to have it replaced, the more hazards it can bring. There’s the possibility of the roof giving way, not to mention the indoor moisture problems it can cause.

When Your Roof Keeps Giving You Leak-Related Headaches

Leaks are some of the most common issues when it comes to roofs. And not just the flat ones – any type of roof will develop this problem throughout its life. It doesn’t mean that you automatically have to replace a flat roof already. But this depends on how early you catch the leak and have a professional roofer check it out. A great way to keep leaks at bay is to have your roof go through yearly maintenance. But when you fail to do these two, then it’s likely there’s already too much damage. In this case, you better prepare yourself for a flat roof replacement.

Cracks in the Roof

Keep in mind that the structure of flat roofs makes them more susceptible to greater pressure. When there’s too much pressure, the roof may no longer be able to take it. This then leads to the structure developing cracks. You can still have cracks in flat roofs repaired. But like leaks, you need to do so as soon as possible. Because the longer you postpone repairing your business’ roof, the nearer you are to needing to replace your entire roof. Cracks allow moisture and water in. This can further compromise the integrity of your roof. You may end up suffering from indoor damage, which is a lot more expensive to address. You should contact a licensed commercial roofer to check the extent of cracking in your flat roof. With their tools and knowledge, they can immediately tell whether they can still repair the damage. If not, then expect them to tell you that the best approach is already a roof replacement.

Detached Flashing

This is another flat roof problem that you can still have repaired. But again, you need to have a commercial roofing specialist fix them as soon as possible. What exactly is this problem though? Like many other types of roofing systems, flat roofs also go through expansion and contraction. This is because of their constant exposure to fluctuating temperatures and ever-changing weather conditions. Although a natural phenomenon given their construction materials, the continuous process can result in the flashing detaching itself from the roof. The flashing can pull away from the roof’s edges and corners. When this happens, moisture can easily find its way into your roof. And as you know, moisture in roofs almost always lead to more damages, especially when not addressed ASAP. From here, indoor water damage can already occur. If you practice the habit of yearly maintenance, then repairs are still a cost-effective way to resolve detached flashing. If a long time has already passed since you’ve had your roof inspected and maintained, you most likely are looking at a roof replacement.

Whether Your Roof Needs Repairing or Replacing, Contact a Licensed Roofer ASAP

The best way to answer your question of whether it’s time replace a commercial flat roof or if a repair solves the problem is to get in touch with a licensed, bonded, and insured roofing company. Always keep in mind that roofs nowadays can be very expensive. And the last thing you want is to face a huge bill for a roof replacement when you could’ve prevented it in the first place. Again, prevention is better than cure. So as early as now, know the importance and value of proper roof maintenance. And when you need more help determining whether repairs are more practical than an entire roof replacement, we invite you to contact us. Or fill out the form on this page and we’ll schedule a time to visit and evaluate your roof for you.