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Collapsing building © Daniel FriedmanCommercial Roof Life
7 Essential Factors - DRAFT editor's requested corretions & additions are in red

This article describes key factors that determine the life of roofs on commercial buildings.

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7 Essential Factors That Can Impact Your Commercial Roof’s Life

- John Dillard, JeffCo&Beyond Roofing Company (1st draft August 2022)

In addition to routine maintenance, there are some essential factors that can affect your commercial roof’s life. Some of these factors include proper installation and quality of materials, UV rays, and temperature. Proper maintenance will help your roof last for many years.

Regardless of the size of your commercial roof, life expectancy is essential to keep an eye on. You'll want to make sure you have it taken care of at every opportunity so you don't have to deal with a roof that is falling apart.

Here are seven factors that can affect your commercial roof’s life.

1. Choice of Roof Covering Materials & Proper Installation

The lifespan of your commercial roof depends on the materials used for installation. Asphalt shingles, for example, can last a couple of decades. However, they will need maintenance to stay in good condition. Slate and concrete roofing materials are much more durable and can last decades.

Proper installation and regular maintenance are critical factors to a commercial roof's lifespan. Therefore you should find a reliable commercial roof repair contractor in Winter Park that specializes in commercial roofing installations.

Improper installation can have disastrous effects on the structural integrity of your commercial building. In some cases, improperly installed commercial roofs can cause mold growth and other problems in a commercial building.

Moreover, improper installation can lead to structural damage and costly repairs. So, in the case of your commercial roof, life expectancy will be cut short if you don't do your job correctly. For this reason, proper installation is crucial.

Watch out: proper roof covering installation details vary considerably by roofing material and even specific product. Be sure to ask for a copy of the roof covering manufacturer's installation guide and specifications.

Missing information: Examples of Choice of Roof Coverings & Variations in Expected Life

 

Missing information: Examples of Roof Installation Errors & How they effect roof life

2. Routine Roof Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is critical to the life of your commercial roof. Minor problems can quickly turn into significant issues which may need to be repaired. Proper care also extends the life of your roof and helps keep you compliant with your warranty. And if you're worried about the cost of commercial roof repair in Winter Park, make sure to check your insurance policy to see if there are any restrictions. You might be surprised at the costs of roof repairs, especially if you have an old roof.

Ensure that the entire roof is maintained correctly. A poorly maintained roof can lead to mold, mildew, and leaks inside the building. Ensure that you regularly clean your roof and your drains to prevent these problems.

Otherwise, debris may attract moisture, causing damage to your roof and encouraging mold and algae to grow. You should also make sure that roof drains are clean and unclogged to prevent water back-up and strain on your drainage system.


There is no mildew on roofs. Mildew is an obiligate parasite that grows ONLY on living plants.

Why is type of roof listed here under maintenance?

The type of roof also affects its lifespan. Industrial flat roofs are often covered by protective layers, while pitched roofs use a different material for their protective coating. In addition, improper installation and weather damage can shorten the roof's life.

But the best way to determine commercial roof life expectancy is to keep it well maintained and inspect it after every extreme weather event. This will extend the life of your roof and ensure your assets are safe.

Missing information: Examples of Roof Maintenance Chores & Frequency With Which They are Performed

Comment on noting, or acting on

3. Quality of Roof Materials

Depending on the material, a properly installed commercial roof can last anywhere from 10 to 40 years. However, there are many factors that can affect your commercial roof’s life. The quality of the installation, the exposure to the elements, and the type of roofing material selected will determine the life expectancy of your commercial roof. In general, thermoplastic polyolefin roofing, for example, can last between 22 and 30 years. This material is also highly energy efficient and resistant to damage.

The type and quality of materials used for your commercial roof can significantly impact its performance and durability. Using lower-quality materials will reduce the roof's resistance to damage and shorten its service life. Keep in mind that not every commercial roof repair contractor uses the same materials.

Even when two roofers say they're going to install the same kind of roof material (e.g. EPDM), some may use lower-quality materials to reduce their costs. Thus when comparing quotes, pay close attention to the type of materials and the product specifications (e.g. EPDM is sold in various thicknesses, thicker lasts longer) listed on the quote sheet.

Missing information: Examples of roof materials & varying life expectancy + examples of product variation even within the specific material - as my EPDM example above

4. UV Exposure

The summer months are a time for relaxation, but you can't ignore the condition of your roof. Direct sunlight and heat can wreak havoc on your roof. It's imperative to take preventative measures to avoid extensive damage to your commercial roof. Fortunately, there are a few things facility managers can do to help protect their roofs during the summer months.

First, UV rays can damage your commercial roof by causing bleaching and discoloration of roofing materials, resulting in a less attractive appearance and a reduction in durability. The worst part is that most UV rays can still reach your roof, even when the sky is cloudy. Hence, it is essential to protect your commercial roof from UV damage.

The second reason UV rays can negatively impact commercial roof life expectancy is that they cause structural damage to the material's surface. Unlike the human body, your roof is exposed to the sun all the time; so UV rays can cause damage to the roofing material. In the long run, they can cause a complete deterioration of the roof.

However, a few simple steps can protect your commercial roof from UV damage and extend its lifespan.

Missing information: These include:

5. Local Climate

One of the factors that can affect your commercial roof's life is the type of climate your property is in. The higher the elevation, the more exposure your roof will have to UV rays. Similarly, arid climates put your building at risk for further UV damage.t

Why is this here and not under UV?

Missing information: Local climate factors:

Missing information: Elevation - see UV

Missing information: Wind and storm exposure - e.g. Florida or Louisiana & Texas coastal cities

Missing information: Very hot cities - effects of high heat are most noted on x types of roofing

Missing information: Very cold locations - effects of very low temperatures are most noted on X types of roofing

 

For example, a roof in Las Vegas (2030 ft above sea level) is more likely to get damaged by the sun's rays than one in Miami (43 ft. above sea level).

Really? Why not use an city with higher elevation like Colorado Springs (5,994 ft. above sea level).

This can lead to numerous issues, including energy inefficiency and water leaks.

Another critical factor to consider is the weather. If your building is exposed to high winds, it may become damaged by hail, heavy rains, or even snow. Exposure to these elements will wear your roof down over time, reducing the life of your commercial roof. Therefore, it's essential to consider these factors before hiring a commercial roof repair contracto.

If you're unsure how to install a commercial roof, it is best to get help from commercial roof coating companies with experience installing such structures.

6. Under-Roof Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial to a commercial building's long-term viability. Without adequate ventilation, moisture will be trapped, leading to problems such as rusting roof support beams and decay. Proper ventilation can increase commercial roof life expectancy and save you from these issues. If you don't pay attention to adequate ventilation, you could end up with a roof that needs to be replaced prematurely.

Proper ventilation helps prevent condensation in the attic, which can reduce the lifespan of your commercial roof. It allows hot air to escape and cool air to enter, thus also helping improve energy efficiency. Proper ventilation will also ensure that your building stays cooler in the summer and warmer in winter. It also promotes healthy indoor air quality. A poorly ventilated roof can cause extreme temperatures inside your building.

Proper ventilation can also extend the life of your roof by preventing problems such as ice dams. Ice dams form when water from the attic freezes and runs to the roof's edge. The ice dams can damage the roof and attic. In extreme cases, ice dams can even cause a leaking roof. This can lead to severe damage if left untreated.

See details at ICE DAM PREVENTION on ROOFS

Proper ventilation prevents premature degradation of your roof. Adequately installed roof vents can increase the lifespan of your roof by 25%.

Missing information: Details of proper ventilation for Commercial Roofs include:

If you are not sure if your commercial roof has proper ventilation, contact commercial roof coating companies. Their professionals will help you choose the best system for your building and perform maintenance to keep it functioning correctly.

Watch out: flat roofs and very low slope roofs are practically impossible to ventilate. Spot vents or local vents will not ventilate the entire under-roof surface, nor will simple eaves overhange or soffit vents. For flat roofs you might consider instead a hot roof design.

See HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roofs

7. Temperature Exposure

During summertime, temperatures on a commercial roof can quickly rise and drop, causing the structure underneath the roof to expand and contract. This rapid expansion and contraction can result in more wear and tear. This can significantly damage older roof systems and commercial roofs with insufficient insulation. The UV rays from the sun can also damage the surface of a roof. - WHY is this in the temperature discussion?

One of the most critical factors that can affect your commercial roof’s life is its ability to endure extreme temperatures. The constant heat and cold can even cause cracks.

Really? No it's more the change in temperature than constancy of temperature. COnsider an update here.

Temperatures in Central Pennsylvania, for example, can range from the mid-70s to the low-40s, and this can cause significant damage to your roof.

Really? That's nonsense. Mid-70s to Low 40s is no problem for roofs.

It's very high temperatures and possibly very low temperatures that are a concern. Update this.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid this problem. If you keep these tips in mind, your roof will last longer than you think.

Missing information: These include:


Conclusion

You can't expect to be an expert at commercial roof repair, so the best thing to do is get a roofing professional to do a full inspection. These specialists can also answer any questions you may have about your roof.

It's important to find commercial roof coating companies in your area with experience, as they will understand the challenges unique to your location.

If you hire a professional commercial roof repair contractor to inspect your roof, they'll be able to identify problems that you might not have noticed before.

John Dillard is a Marketing Manager for JeffCo & Beyond, a commercial roof repair company in Colorado that specializes in flat roof repair options and roof coatings. He also offers no-obligation roof damage assessment and estimates for commercial roof repair costs in Winter Park, CO.


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