As a business owner, your top priority is maximizing profit and minimizing problems with your commercial building and its equipment—especially your roof. Replacing a roof is a big investment, and most people’s first impulse is to stretch their current commercial roofing material as long as they can (and often beyond).
But sometimes the expense is unavoidable. Maybe your roof has reached the end of its service life, or maybe that leak you’ve been experiencing lately can be patched one more time. It can be difficult to know if your roof can endure one more patch, one more plug, one more coat of paint or sealant—or if it’s just one too many. If you’re wondering whether roof repair is appropriate or if you should replace your commercial roof, these are four major signs you’re probably due for a roofing installation.
It’s Springing Leaks
If raindrops keep falling on your head, it’s most likely time for a new commercial roof. However, some commercial roofs can make it more difficult to detect leaks, depending on what materials it uses of if you can’t see the roof’s underside easily. That’s why it helps to look for secondary issues such as mold or water spots on the ceiling, along with a moldy odor in the building. These are sure signs water is infiltrating your existing roofing material. Pooling or standing water is something else to watch. Standing water should evaporate within 48 to 72 hours after a storm. If it doesn’t, it can lead to major leaks and prematurely age your roofing system.
Cracked or Blistered Surface
When moisture gets trapped in your roofing material, gases can build up and cause cracks, bubbles, and blisters on the roof’s surface. The trapped water itself also can eat away at the roof’s membrane. So if you notice this kind of pattern forming on your roof, it’s a sure sign a replacement is most likely in your future.
Damage to Roofing Shingles
If your business’s primary roofing material is shingles, you should inspect them for cracks, splits, and curls. Bald, patchy spots, along with moss growth, all indicate a water leak of some kind. If allowed to persist, this situation can damage your building as well as weaken your roof.
Damage to the Roofing Membrane
For commercial buildings with flat roofs, it’s common to have a roofing membrane. A good way to tell if this membrane has been damaged by water is to check for bald spots or lifting. These issues indicate the roof isn’t sealed properly and water is most likely leaking through to the building below.
Also, if the roof’s insulation is wet or degraded, this is another sign of larger problems. Finally, check the flat roof’s flashing. These are the metal strips that run along the roof’s edges. If the flashing is bent or rusted, it’s not well-sealed and water is likely leaking into your building.
When to Replace
Ultimately, if at least 25% of your commercial roof is damaged, it’s time for a new one. Let the pros at Rainville-Carlson review your existing Minnesota roof and recommend whether it’s time to deploy our commercial roofing services.
Since 1927, we’ve been helping clients in the Twin Cities find cost-effective solutions to their roofing needs. We help maintain your commercial roof for maximum service life and make repairs whenever they’re needed. If it’s time for a new commercial roof, we’re the experts. Call us today to see what we can do for your business.
