Is Your Commercial Roof Ready for Summer Heat?
A well-maintained roof is an invaluable asset for your business. However, the summer heat can take its toll on a commercial roof and affect the comfort of your employees and customers. Fortunately, the checklist below will get your roof ready for anything the summer might bring.
Clean Your Gutters
While summer is synonymous with hot conditions, it also brings flash storms and heavy showers. Leaves, sticks, branches, and other debris commonly cause gutter blockages, which is why you should have them cleaned frequently. Clogged gutters won't hold during stormy summer weather, resulting in roof leakages. Moreover, the extra weight from the rainwater can result in structural issues and even break the gutters.
In the case of water damage, the building's walls can develop unsightly patches that displease visitors and affect the property's curb appeal. If clogged gutters cause leaks, the water becomes a slip and fall hazard once it settles on the ground below. In this case, employees and customers will be at risk. Moreover, clogged gutters can become havens for pests. Thus, hire a roofing company to clean your building's gutters in readiness for summer.
Check for Damage
It's advisable to check for damage on your commercial roof before summer to schedule repair services. For low-slope or flat roofs, check for signs of water damage on the roof's underside. If you have a single-ply roofing system, check for gaps, punctures, or other tears. Also, watch out for loose screws, signs of rusting, or worn rubber washers on the metal panels.
If you have a steep slope roof, ensure it is holding its shape. If it appears to bend under its own weight, call a roofing expert immediately. Additionally, check for loose or torn asphalt shingles, cracked tiles, or dents on the metal panels. You can schedule a routine inspection since a commercial roofer knows where to look for undetected problems. A pro roofer will get the roof ready for the summer heat, humidity, and rain.
Watch Out for Mold
Mold is bad news for your commercial building. First, it shortens the roof system's lifespan, which means you have to replace the roof earlier than you might otherwise. Also, mold presents health risks for your staff and customers and can make the building inhospitable if left unchecked.
A musty odor is a common sign of mold growth on commercial roofs. If employees complain of a musty or rotten odor, check the roof for mold. Look out for a fuzzy substance that can be a green, brown, or black color. Also, check for water spots and peeling paint. Additionally, drafts can indicate mold growth and water damage. Contact a professional roofer when you spot these mold signs for immediate cleaning.
Seal Bird Entry Points
Birds like pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows enter commercial buildings through damaged roofing. Thus, check if there are any gaps in your roof and discourage birds from nesting there. Watch out for gaps and eaves in the roofing edge or soffit, as these are popular entry points.
In addition to birds, roof gaps encourage infestation by rats, raccoons, squirrels, and other pests. These intruders can damage your roof and carry diseases. Therefore, seal all entry points to keep away birds and pests.
Trim Nearby Trees
If there are trees around your commercial building, you likely appreciate the shade they provide during summer. Moreover, trees enhance a building's aesthetic. However, one disadvantage of nearby tree branches is that they can scratch against your roof and cause damage.
Additionally, twigs and branches clog gutters, while tree roots can interfere with the drainage system. Thus, it's vital to trim all nearby trees to keep your gutter clutter-free throughout summer.
The best thing to do for your commercial roof during summer is to have a professional look at it. Call our roofing experts at Alpha Roofing Services today to get your roof summer-ready.
