Be Aware of These Common Commercial Denver Area Roofing Issues


August 1, 2018

If you are a business owner in the Denver area, your roof is one of the most essential and critical components of your building. Having a leaky roof or dealing with any other serious issues relating to your roof can be a serious detriment to your business. In the aftermath of the intense hail storm in May of 2017, many businesses remained closed for extended periods of time in order to adequately address their roofing situation. It is important to stay informed on the issues that can impact commercial roofing in order to be prepared in the event of something unforeseen occurring. Here are some of the most common issues that commercial roofs deal with.

Wind Damage

Roofs are designed to withstand intense winds, but there are situations where a commercial roof simply cannot handle the amount of force hitting the surface of it. Intense gusts of wind hitting your commercial roof at a particular angle can begin to move materials such as shingles and possibly even the membrane of the roof itself. Wind damage on roofs usually begins at the edges of the roofing system.

If any part of your roof system is slightly loose, wind can cause it to raise up and further wind gusts may get below it and push the shingles up. If this occurs and the underside of your roof is exposed, rain and moisture can get in and do significant water damage to your structure. Any part of your roof where the roof is exposed allows for the wind to have something to grab onto and will eventually do more damage over time if the loose portion is left unfixed.

Puncture Holes

Puncture holes are one of the more common ways in which a roof will get damaged and can do serious damage if left untreated, as water will be able to easily flow into your building and mold and other damage can occur. Holes typically develop as a result of wind damage or from a severe hail storm. Colorado has no shortage of intense hail storms, making it all the more important to be acutely aware of the current situation of your roof’s health. If you have experienced a significant storm recently, it may be good to have a professional roofing company visit your property to assess for any potential damage that has occurred.

Another way in which puncture holes develop is from foot traffic or various types of debris being blown onto the surface of your roof. For this reason, it is especially important to keep walking on the surface of your roof to an absolute minimum, as it can weaken the structure of your roof and eventually lead to puncture holes developing. It is important to consistently have your roof assessed for any potential holes that may have developed over the course of your covering’s lifespan.

Standing Water

A pool of standing water on the surface of a roof can be an alarming sight, one that should not be taken lightly. As more water collects on a roof’s surface, it becomes heavier and can lead to structural damage and, in extreme cases, can cause a roof to collapse. If you notice standing water on your roof, it is likely due to poor drainage or clogged gutters preventing water from flowing into the downspouts.

Standing water is a concern for a number of reasons, as it can not only lead to structural damage and cause mold and attract other unwanted lifeforms, but it can also lead to serious leaks. Water that doesn’t have a place to flow will eventually seep into any crack or hole that is present. It is important to determine the cause of standing water prior to taking on any repair project, as you won’t want to invest money to fix a problem only to have it resurface later because the underlying issue was not addressed.

Faulty Flashing

Flashing is the installed on roofs as well as on walls and on objects that are near the roof, such as pipes and chimneys, as a method to deflect water away from joints or seams. One of the most common sources of roof leaks is the presence of faulty flashing. In fact, up to 95 percent of all roof leaks are the result of this problem, bringing to light the importance of having adequate flashing present on your roof’s surface.

Faulty flashing can be the result of constant expansion and contraction, due to changes in weather and temperature. During the course of any roof inspection it is important to have your flashings assessed to ensure that they are in optimal condition and able to keep water away from critical elements of your roof.

Lack of Maintenance

Another common cause of roof damage can come from inadequate or a lack of maintenance to your roof. Over time, your roof will need to have maintenance performed on it, whether it is replacing a shingle or having other elements of your roof fixed. Routine inspections are an important component to maintaining and even increasing the lifespan of your roof. A small upfront investment in your roof could save you thousands of dollars in the long term by not needing to install a new roof or do any other extensive repairs to it. If it has been a long time since the last professional inspection was performed on your commercial roof, contact your local Denver roofing company to have your roof assessed.

If you are in need of roofing services for your home or office, The Roof Dr. has you covered. We offer both residential and commercial roofing options for whatever your situation may be. We are a Colorado owned and operated business, and have been building roofs in the Denver metro area since 1971. Our team of qualified and experienced professionals are there to ensure the job is done as efficiently and affordably as possible. If you are need of a roofing repair or replacement, or you simply have questions about our services, contact us today!
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