When it comes to residential roofs, skilled homeowners with relevant skills and knowledge can handle minor roofing repairs and installations. However, the idea of DIY repairs on commercial roofs is entirely out of the window due to their complexity and the number of individual components involved.
Commercial roofing systems are generally built to become stable and reliable, especially during extreme weather conditions. Although each roof is naturally durable, they still sometimes need upkeep and repair to maintain their standard features.
Many business owners tend to hold on to scheduling maintenance due to the costs involved, but the potential repair and replacement costs can put a larger dent in your budget. Understanding what to expect from a roofing estimate — especially when a repair is needed — can help allocate your budget appropriately.
Whenever commercial roofs need repair, the initial instinct of most building managers is to call their local contractor or roofer. It pays to know how the repair process works and to familiarize yourself with a roofer’s standard tools of the trade. But first, we must identify the usual factors that can promote roof instability and premature aging.
What Causes Roof Issues?
Most of these complications are a natural part of exposure to the external elements and are generally out of your control as a building owner or manager. However, you primarily control how far and extensive these damages can progress. Identifying the sources of typical roof damages is beneficial in any effective roofing maintenance and prevention plan.
Structural Movement - Any movement in the building structure can directly impact the commercial roof’s integrity. The construction of the building includes primary components such as floors, walls, and frameworks and individual supporting elements such as windows, doors, and plaster.
Although these critical components all help support a building’s stability, there are instances when the land where it’s built is unstable and experiences frequent ground movement. While the earth naturally moves, structural movement will primarily depend on the frequency and severity of tectonic plate motion in the area.
Another factor to consider is when the building materials break down over time. Instead of only focusing on roof damages, it is better to address the other structural damage to the rest of the facility.
Exposure - The primary purpose of installing commercial roofs is to protect the interior of buildings and other business spaces from external elements. In addition to the erosion induced by the changing weather and temperature, roofing systems are susceptible to the deterioration driven by the sun’s UV rays, even during the temperate climate.
Suppose your business operates in a location with prolonged exposure to extreme heat and other weather conditions. In that case, it is crucial to follow a regular preventative maintenance program to reinforce your commercial roof with repairs if needed.
Biological Growth - Mold and mildew growth is not only detrimental to the roof but can also cause health issues to the building’s occupants. Moisture encourages biological development, and it is more common in areas with low humidity. It can penetrate the roof membrane and cause the wood within the system to decay and weaken.
Delaying Necessary Repairs - Commercial rooftops are exceptionally durable but becoming too complacent to the extent that postponing preventative rooftop upkeep can cause the roof to age prematurely. It can also escalate minor issues into something more severe and costly.
The good thing about most minor roof issues such as standing water, erosion, blocked gutter channels, and punctures are that they are easy to fix without spending too much. On the other hand, these issues can often trigger significant damages which are more complicated to repair.
Roofing Repair Tools
Every roofing problem naturally has a solution, no matter how challenging it is. Properly managing requires hard work and proactiveness, especially in understanding how standard roofing repair tools are used so that you can resolve minor issues on your own.
Roof Nail Gun - When replacing a new commercial roof, contractors rely on power nailers to speed up installation. Nail guns are often included in every industrial roofing job, and it also comes in various sizes to accommodate different nail sizes.
Roof Hammer - A roofing hammer would suffice if you only need to replace a few shingles. Roofers usually use hammers to remove misplaced tiles and nudge down a few nails. It also comes in various shapes depending on its designated feature.
Shingle Remover - There are many types of shingle removers, but all products have a fork design and teeth edges to pry the shingle open and remove it from the deck. Removing shingles isn’t tricky, but it can be tedious. Hence, choosing the right product can considerably ease up the process.
Utility Knife - Utility knives are a staple and handy tool used in almost all types of roofing work. Roofers use it to accurately cut or trim shingles with the help of a special hook blade that is secured by a magnet.
Fall Protection Gear - The risk of falling incidents in the roofing industry is dangerously high. Therefore, every roofer must wear adequate fall protection gear such as safety harnesses, lanyards, and other fall arrest systems to ensure workplace safety.
Ladders - Ladder access for roof hatches is part of any roofing work since having safe and convenient access to the commercial rooftop significantly speeds up the process. In addition, hatches help buildings comply with local access regulations, but OSHA standards require all hatches to have ladders attached to them.
Roof Cleaning Equipment - Every professional roofer knows the importance of having proper roof cleaning equipment after every repair or installation job. Essential cleaning tools include a stiff-bristled broom, shovel, power washer, air compressor, and a vacuum. A reliable roofer must also know how to properly dispose of the waste or debris removed from the roof.
Takeaway
Commercial roof repairs can be extensively challenging, but seeing the results can also be rewarding. When tackling minor roof damages, having the right equipment is as crucial as being sufficiently knowledgeable and skilled to expedite the repair accurately.
Best Roof Hatches is your reliable source of industry-leading roof panels from the leading brands in the industry. We have an extensive collection of highly customizable products available for delivery. Pick up the phone and call us at (800)-431-8651 to order your roof hatch today.
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