Weather constantly challenges commercial roofs, impacting their overall condition. Adverse weather can damage your roof and shorten its lifespan. Protecting your roof is essential, and knowing what steps to take makes a difference. At Vanguard Roofing, we show you how to safeguard your roof and prevent expensive damage.
What Is The Typical Lifespan Of A Commercial Roof?
Most roofs have a long lifespan and can last multiple decades. The length of a commercial roof’s lifespan depends on its material. Most systems, such as TPO and Modified Bitumen, last 15-20 years. EPDM and Built-Up Roofing offer slightly longer lifespans of 20-30 years. Metal roofs often last 40 to over 70 years, and slate roofs last 75 to 100 years.
How Does Weather Impact Your Commercial Roof’s Lifespan?
UV radiation from the sun is one of the most damaging elements to a roof. It makes the materials brittle, leading to cracks and splits.
Extreme temperatures also pose a problem. Materials expand when hot and shrink when cold. This constant fluctuation stresses the roof, leading to tears and early deterioration.
Severe weather, such as hail and strong winds, threatens roofs. Hail dents and punctures commercial roof surfaces, causing leaks and weakening the structure, while high winds tear off materials, especially along edges and seams. Over time, they lead to costly damage and reduce the roof’s integrity and durability.
How Do You Protect A Commercial Roof From The Effects Of The Weather?
Unlike your parking lot, which you see every day, your roof is out of sight. That’s why every commercial roof should be inspected twice annually. A professional roofer will discover and address any issues before they become large problems. Also, most warranties require inspections, and failing to obtain them may invalidate your warranty.
Metal Roofs
A high-quality sealant or a reflective coating can be applied to metal roofs to prevent rust, corrosion, and UV damage while improving energy efficiency.
Shingle or Slate Roofs
You can protect shingle roofs by replacing cracked, curled, or missing shingles to avoid exposing the underlayment to the elements. For slate roofs, you should also have regular inspections to ensure no tiles are loose, cracked, or missing.
Flat Roofs
Reflective coatings are vital because they protect your roof by reflecting sunlight and heat, and provide an additional layer of defense against wind, hail, and flying debris.
Coatings also fill tiny cracks, pinholes, and seams, creating a continuous, waterproof barrier. This barrier is critical for preventing water from seeping into the insulation and structural components, which can lead to leaks, mold, and rot.
A quality roof coating can add 10-20 years to the life of an existing commercial roof, helping to defer the much higher cost of a full roof replacement.
Who Will Help Protect Your Commercial Roof From The Weather?
Hire a professional roofing contractor like Vanguard Roofing. They can inspect your roof and accurately identify actual and potential problems. They can quickly fix minor issues and address larger ones.
Contact Vanguard Roofing today to schedule an assessment of your commercial roof.
