When you’re running a commercial business, you more than likely spend all your time focusing on what’s going on inside the building. How often do you check for any potential issues brewing on the roof?
Many business owners rely on the roof restoration Melbourne companies use to keep their buildings in tip-top shape. However, if you don’t have a maintenance programme in place to routinely check your roof, you’ll have to keep an eye out for specific signs that highlight any damages.
Tell-Tale Signs that You Need Roof Restoration
It’s essential to know when your roof needs maintenance because failure to deal with the problem timeously will result in significant damage to the roof, the building, and even the contents inside. Our experts have compiled a list of the top signs to watch out for.
- Leaks
Leaks are always a top indicator that something, somewhere on the roof is broken or damaged. It’s important to point out that not all roofs are obvious streams of water pouring out of the ceiling. Especially if the underside of the roof isn’t visible.
In these instances, you may only suspect a leak when you start noticing water stains on the ceiling. Routinely check your ceilings for discolouration on the ceilings or walls. If your building has very little ventilation, you may also notice musty odours that are caused by mould and mildew bacteria growth. These smells may also be accompanied by black mould spores on the walls.
- Blisters On the Surface of the Roof
Depending on the type of roof your commercial building has, you may notice bubbles or blisters forming on the top of the roof. This happens when air or moisture pockets form between the membrane and the underlayment. This is an important sign that your roof may require a complete replacement if not tended to as soon as possible.
- Increased Energy Usage
Another clear sign that your roof may have a problem is an unusual increase in your energy bill that you can’t account for. When your roof has a few missing tiles, cold wind can easily get in.
This, in turn, leads to the building occupants using the HVAC more often, hence the inflated bill. Be sure to check your roof for missing tiles, gaps, or other damage that may be letting cold air in.
- Damaged Flashing
An important aspect of just about any commercial roof is the flashing. This helps secure the roofing materials and plays a significant role in overall protection from the elements. Flashing can easily become damaged during a storm, making it a good idea to routinely check for this.
- Blocked Downpipes
Any roof’s drainage system must function properly at all times. When gutters and downpipes are blocked, water and debris can pool up and create blockages. This can eventually damage other components on the roof and lead to water damage in the ceiling or other parts of the building.
Excessive water streaming down the side of the building can affect the structure and foundation of the building. Repairing this can lead to extensive repair or replacement costs which can seriously dip into your profits!
- Old Roof
Some commercial buildings around Australia have been around for a long time. A scary fact is that some of these old buildings don’t get inspected as much as they should. If your commercial property falls into this category, it’s a good idea to have the roof assessed by a professional, even if you don’t see any signs of roof issues.
This will give you an idea of any potential issues, which will allow you to start factoring these issues into your budget before they turn into a crisis.
Understanding the Difference Between Restoration and Replacement
One of the top reasons home and business owners try not to deal with roof issues unless they absolutely have to is that they don’t always understand the difference between restoration and repair.
Essentially, roof restoration refers to a series of repairs that, if done timeously, will prevent a total replacement. Restoration is also considerably more affordable. The most significant functions that make up a restoration are listed as:
- Surface rust is cleaned up on rusty metal to prevent holes
- Damaged shingles are repaired
- Leaks, holes and gaps are repaired
- The whole roof is painted
- Gutters and downpipes are cleaned and repaired
- Broken fascia boards and loose tiles are replaced
An advantage of roof restoration is that there’s no need for any downtime in your business which may be the case when you’re doing a replacement.
Final Thoughts
As the owner of a commercial property, it’s essential to know when your roof may need repairs. Ignoring minor problems will turn into major emergencies if they aren’t attended to timeously.
It’s a good idea to invest in a maintenance plan with your local roofing company to avoid any surprises. Having professionals routinely check your roof allows you to focus on the other important aspects of your business!