Flat roofs are a popular choice for commercial buildings because they are economical to install, provide usable space, and are safe to walk on when it is time to carry out roof inspection and maintenance. As they generally have the bare minimum slope required for roofs, flat roofs tend to have problems that may not be so common with steeper roofs.
If your commercial building has a flat roof, here are some common roofing problems you should look out for.
1. Standing Water
With such a name, you can be forgiven for thinking that flat roofs have no slope. However, they have a minimum slope to shed rainwater.
If rain sits on your commercial flat roof for a few days, it is likely you have an ineffective drainage system. Without a properly functioning drainage system, the rain that falls on the surface of the roof will drain too slowly or fail to drain at all.
While it's possible for ponding water to drain away without causing damage to your roof, it's advisable to take action before more serious problems arise. For example, you may end up facing a leak problem as the water sits on your roof too long and finds other ways to exit your rooftop.
2. Physical Damage
Falling trees and branches aren't the only things that can cause physical damage to your commercial flat roof. Since flat roofs provide space for the installation and storage of commercial mechanical equipment such as boilers, furnaces, air conditioning units, and many more on top of the building, they can easily get damaged by the weight of the equipment itself as well as the personnel responsible for equipment maintenance.
If you perform maintenance on your commercial equipment and aren't experienced in working on roofs, you can damage your roof as you walk on top of it. If you want to avoid commercial roof repairs, it's best to subcontract work to individuals that are fully bonded and insured.
3. Roof Neglect
Running a business requires paying attention to a lot of things and this can make you lose track of important things like the need to take good care of the roof on your commercial building. If you're guilty of focusing on other aspects of your business and neglecting your commercial flat roof, roofing problems are bound to arise.
Your commercial flat roof performs the important job of protecting your business premises against the elements. That's why you should take prompt action if you encounter any issues with it. For professional assistance with your commercial roofing repairs, don't hesitate to contact a roofing contractor near you. A company like Danny Odom & Son Roofing can provide more information.
