A commercial roofing system is one of the largest investments a property manager can make. However, if a roof isn’t properly maintained, it will likely fail sooner than its expected lifespan. Besides having to halt business operations for weeks or months for a total roof replacement, a roof collapse poses a safety risk to employees, clients, and customers. Here’s how to avoid the situation altogether.
A Guide to Avoiding Commercial Roofing Collapse
Increase Weight Load With Caution
Commercial roofing systems are designed to withstand the weight of planned features like rooftop patios, AC units, or generators. Before you sign off on any changes to the way your roof is used, discuss existing load-bearing capabilities with an engineer. If the load creeps too high, your risk of roof collapse increases exponentially.
Don’t Ignore Maintenance
Stay on top of maintenance and inspections. Routine visits from a roofing contractor provide ample opportunities to catch small problems before they snowball into larger, more costly issues. A roofing inspector will also have the experience to point out potential dangers, such as an errant tree branch, which could eventually puncture your roofing membrane and introduce water and rot.
Prioritize Snow Removal
Snow is another factor that contributes to a roof’s load, particularly in areas where heavy, unpredictable snowstorms are common. Invest in a roof designed for a heavy snow load to avoid collapse. If roof replacement isn’t possible, remove new snow (4 feet high or more) and packed snow (2 feet high or more) as soon as it’s safe to do so.
If you’re concerned about the integrity of your commercial roofing system, turn to the team at Interstate Roofing & Waterproofing. Based in Onalaska, WI, and serving business owners across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, these highly skilled roofing contractors use premium products to deliver roofing solutions that last. Whether you manage an office building, church, school, or retail store, they can protect your investment with everything from waterproofing and routine maintenance to storm damage roof repair. To request a free estimate for roof installation or replacement, call (608) 783-2106 or complete their convenient online contact form.
