Guide to Commercial Roof Maintenance

1. A Brief Guide to Commercial Roof Maintenance in High Wind Areas The vulnerability of a roof assembly to high winds depends on a number of factors, such as the quality of roofing material and workmanship that went into the initial roof installation, the age of the roof, and most importantly, whether the roof has been properly maintained. In high wind regions, roof sheeting, tiles, shingles, or ballast, are typically the most commonly affected areas in a roofing system. For Metal and Shingle Roofs High-intensity winds during a storm or cyclone can blow away shingles or metal panels from the roof, making the entire building vulnerable to rain and debris brought in by the wind. During a new installation or restoration, property managers need to ensure that their roofers are

2. taking proper measures to secure shingles or metal roofs. Shingles The installer must use at least six nails or staples to hold each shingle, and fix them beneath the edges of the overlapping shingles. In addition, a robust waterproofing underlayment beneath the shingles must be applied to protect the roofing system from the rain, in case the wind blows the shingles off the roof. Metal Panels Strong winds can tear away entire panels exposing the whole building to debris brought in by the wind. You can protect metal roofs and sidings against winds by using fasteners, such as screws and bolts, or with concealed clips. Fasteners are applied close to the edges of the panels. In addition, siding must be covered with a metal cap or molding along the corner of the building so that the wind doesn’t find its way beneath the siding. For Ballasted Roofs Though ballasted roofs are one of the least expensive roof options, the biggest challenge lies in preventing ballasts from blow off or scouring due to high winds. Therefore, it is important to use a “protected membrane” ballasted roof system, rather than using any conventional option, especially if the property is in a high wind area. In a protected ballast roof system, the roof deck is protected with a protective membrane that is mechanically attached to the substrate, preventing blow offs. A cementation coating is often used with insulation panels,

3. which acts as an insulation and protects the roof against wind. Lastly, ballasted roofs must be inspected at least twice a year, and after every storm. Last Few Words The weather condition during roof installation or restoration also has a considerable effect on the lifespan of the roof system. Ideally, you should get your roofs repaired during summer, when the temperature is warm, as it helps the sealing of adhesives and coatings and creates a strong bond. As a result, it enables the roof to better withstand high winds. Should you wish to learn more about the prevention of roof damage from high winds, feel free to talk to one of our roofing experts. You can reach us at 469.208.3733 or fill out our contact form and we’ll take it from there. Reference: http://www.srgroofing.com/blog