It always feels like winter tends to drag on—until suddenly, it doesn’t, and we find ourselves in spring. That means it's time to get out of hibernation and get things started for any roofing projects you have in mind.
Spring is a great time to inspect your commercial roof, but to ensure quality maintenance and repairs take place by the time the ground thaws, you need to schedule them now.
Waiting too long to schedule your roof repairs could leave you at the bottom of a contractor's project list—especially if other commercial owners are planning their spring roof repairs, too.
How Winter Affects Your Commercial Roof
Midwest winters can be brutal, especially for commercial flat roofs. Although we may have experienced a mild one, freezing temperatures paired with heavy snowfall can lead to significant damage, so ensuring spring roof maintenance and repairs take place sooner—rather than later—can prevent minor damage from developing into costly issues.
Below, we've listed a few examples of common winter roof damage you don't want to ignore.
Freezing and Thawing
Freezing and thawing cycles can cause serious damage to roofs. When water gets into the nooks and crannies of your roofing system, it can freeze, expand, and push apart its components.
The result? Cracks and gaps develop in the structure, leading to water leakage during thaws—followed by mold and rot when the weather gets warmer.
Ice Dams
Ice accumulation, also called ice dams, can occur when melting snow on the roof's surface refreezes at the edges of the building's gutter system. This blocks water from draining properly, causing it to back up and seep into crevices of your roof's system.
High Winds
High winds and updrafts can cause your roof system to lift, resulting in damage beyond the roof. Uplift can loosen flashing, loosen fasteners, and even cause whole sections of metal cladding to fly off.
Water Leaks
Poor drainage systems, caused by clogged gutters or improper commercial roof maintenance, can lead to standing water on the roof and eventually cause significant leaks and water damage.
Physical Damage
As we mentioned, when temperatures dip below freezing, condensation on a roof's surface can cause ice dams to build up and form along the edges of gutters and other roof parts like drain systems and vent pipes.
As this ice builds up, it can tear away the materials used for these parts, leaving your commercial property vulnerable to water damage. This scenario can also create potential safety risks for employees and customers.
As you can see, winter weather has the potential to create a lot of damage to your roof, and addressing those issues is not something you want to put off.
More Reasons Why You Should Schedule Now, Not Later
Kudos if you already had your annual roof inspection in the fall! But even with all that prep work and prevention, winter damage can still happen, especially with the frequent changes in weather conditions in just the past few months.
Let's also not forget that if you didn't get your fall inspection, it's even more critical that you get in the books as soon as possible to have a professional roofing contractor inspect your commercial roofing system by spring.
> Schedule your inspection today!
Can Roofing Care Be Done in Cold or Snowy Weather?
For commercial flat roofs, snow buildup and other winter conditions have the potential to cause even more damage than traditional, residential roofing.
There are times when the roof leaks are severe enough that it’s worth addressing them in winter to avoid damage to the building when the spring thaw arrives.
There’s a range of roofing materials that we offer, including:
Our All Elements team can help you determine the best option for you.
Budgeting for Spring Roofing
One effective way to budget for spring repair is to get an estimate from a reputable roofing contractor. Once you have this information, you can begin setting aside funds specifically for the repair.
If you received a tax refund already, you might consider putting that extra sum of money towards ensuring the integrity and durability of your roof.
For business owners, roof repairs may qualify as a tax-deductible expense for the next tax year, if any work or restorations have added value to your commercial building.
However, the specific rules and regulations regarding tax deductions for roof repairs can vary. So, be sure to consult with a qualified tax professional for guidance.
Schedule Your Commercial Roof Repair Now
Don't wait until the last minute to schedule your spring roof repairs. Instead, contact All Elements, Inc. today to ensure your commercial roof project is already in the books!
When you call, we'll discuss any damage you may already see or have one of our experienced contractors come out to inspect your roof and provide a comprehensive assessment.
We'll work to ensure you are aware of any damages and how our services can get your roof back in optimal condition by spring.
To get started, all you need to do is call! We're here to support your commercial roofing projects all year long.