Cleveland roofs endure a pummeling from our volatile, often extreme, seasonal weather conditions. It’s a good idea to inspect your flat commercial roof periodically for any signs of damage. By spotting a problem early, you could potentially avoid a major repair expense or even a total commercial roof replacement cost.
Here are five warning signs that might signal a need to call in a professional commercial roofing contractor to inspect your roof:
1) Damaged Flat Roof Flashing
Note the metal edge detail that run along the perimeter of your roof. This metal flashing is an integral component of a flat commercial or industrial roof. Its purpose is to seal joints and other areas that receive a lot of water and prevent leaks from compromising your system. Is your metal detail bent, rusting or otherwise damaged? If your roof flashing is not well-sealed, there is a good chance that water can seep into your roof system and result in costly commercial roofing repairs or replacement. By addressing this problem as soon as possible, you can either prevent or keep water damage to a minimum.
2) Cracked or Blistered Commercial Roof Surface
Check for any cracks, bubbles or blisters on your roof surface, which could indicate trapped moisture that could result in leakage. Blistering and cracking occurs when there are pockets of air or moisture trapped between the roof membrane and deck or between layers of the membrane itself. These red flags will worsen over time, and ignoring them could lead to more serious problems.
3) Standing Water on a Commercial Roof
After a heavy rainfall, the appearance of standing, or ponding, water on a flat commercial roof is expected. If that water doesn’t drain or evaporate within 48-72 hours, however, it may be a cause for concern. Left unchecked, standing water can lead to mold growth, frequent leaks, sagging and accelerated deterioration of your flat roof. Large areas of ponding water on an asphalt or rubber roof system will degrade the roof integrity.
4) Interior Water Stains Inside a Commercial Building
Sometimes you can detect problems with your commercial or industrial roofing from inside your building. If you notice a water stain on the ceiling or walls of an upper floor, it’s time to investigate the possibility of damage to your roofing system.
5) Mold or Musty Odors Inside Your Commercial Building
Another interior red flag, one that can be difficult to ignore, is mold or foul, musty odors. This could result from water breaching your commercial or industrial roofing system or perhaps the exterior of your building. If you start to notice the smell of mildew or see mold growth on your ceilings, you should take immediate action before the problem necessitates engaging a mold remediation company or results in health consequences for your employees. Be sure to have a professional roofing inspector look for any problematic areas.
Remember, small problems can give rise to major issues with your flat roof. It’s better to catch small problems early when they can be addressed by a relatively quick fix than to let them spiral into expensive roofing repairs or a total commercial roof replacement.
See related blog: Five Ways to Promote the Life of Your Flat Commercial Roof
Roberts Roofing Company provides commercial roofing services to Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. We perform year-round emergency commercial roof repair—even during or after inclement weather. Our professional crews are trained to repair all types of roofing systems and carry the proper materials and equipment to service your roof. Roberts Roofing has numerous clients who seek our help after severe storms, fire or other catastrophes and trust us and our crews to deliver thorough inspections and commercial roofing repairs.
To learn more about selecting a commercial roofer in Cleveland, Ohio, simply fill out the form on this page and a member of our team will be in touch. Or, you may call us at 440.946.2233.