Inspecting Commercial Roofs Before Winter

With summer coming to an end and winter well on its way, fall is an important time for property managers to have their commercial roofing system inspected. A commercial roofing system typically needs to be inspected twice a year. Once after the summer and once after the winter. That’s why it’s best to have your commercial roofing system inspected in the fall before the brutal winter weather gets here. So here at Roberts McNutt we wanted to take a moment to share a few helpful tips on just why fall is the best time to have your commercial roof inspected.

Flashing and Sealant

Owners and property managers should be aware of the condition of the flashing and sealants around all edges of the roof. In the summer as the roof heats up the sealant around the edges expands, leading to cracks and weak points. This could give rain, snow, and ice an easy way in to your roofing system. This may not be an issue during the mild weather of fall, but these issues can be amplified during the freeze/thaw cycle of winter and become detrimental to your business or roofing system. That’s why it is important to have the flashing and sealant on your roof inspected before the harsh winter weather sets in.

Membrane and Insulation Integrity

If your roofing membrane is compromised, condensation and water can sneak into your business during the winter months. Once water gets underneath roofing membrane or insulation it can become trapped and seep into the roof, causing weak or mushy areas to develop. If this persists it can cause several problems for your business including water damage, mold, and mildew. Costing you thousands in repairs. This can particularly occur in low sloping roof systems where substantial amounts of water, snow, and ice can build up on the surface. So, inspecting your commercial roofing system in the fall is crucial to keeping your business safe in those winter months.

Blocked Drains and Standing Water

Over the summer months debris such as, tree branches, limbs, twigs, pine needles, and leaves can build up on your commercial roof blocking your gutters and drains. This can cause water to pool up on your roof or in your gutters. If this issue is not addressed, it can turn into a detrimental issue once those freezing temperatures arrive. The frozen water can develop into ice dams in your gutters and around the roof, causing damage to the downspouts and roofing system. Having your commercial roofing system inspected in the fall is the best way to protect your business and roof from the coming winter.

Here at Roberts-McNutt we’ve been helping business owners with their commercial roofing systems since 1968. We’re the company you can trust, and we wanted to take a moment to let our readers know why fall is the best time to have your commercial roof inspected. If you’ve been thinking about having your roof inspected, then contact us at 1-800-467-1597 for a job you can count on. Call us today to get your free quote and let us do all the work so you don’t have to.