All roofing systems have finite lives. As a commercial property owner or manager, knowing how to recognize signs of aging and deterioration can help minimize the impact of a roof replacement to your daily operations. In today’s post, local roofing company State Roofing shares the signs that you may need a new roof.
Indoor Signs
Your scheduled roof inspections should include the indoor spaces. If you find one or more of the following signs during an indoor inspection, your facility may need a new roof.
Water Stains on the Walls and Ceiling — Water stains are especially noticeable on white or light-colored walls and ceiling. You can leave it as it is and check back a few days later. If the stains appear to be spreading, you have an active leak, which could be coming from standing water on the roof. While the leak may also be caused by leaking HVAC lines or faulty plumbing, don’t take your chances and schedule an inspection with your roofing contractor.
Mold and Mildew — The presence of moisture indoors can cause mold and mildew growth. If your tenants report finding or smelling mold and mildew in the building, make it a point to address their concerns quickly. In addition to the unpleasant odor, mold may trigger allergies and respiratory illnesses in your building’s occupants.
Outdoor Signs
Property owners or managers are expected to have their commercial roofs inspected on a regular basis. Commercial roof inspections need not be inspected by a roofing professional. You or authorized personnel can perform a thorough inspection. All you need to do is make sure you make note of the following signs, along with other indications of roofing damage, and call your commercial roofer for a thorough inspection.
Large Gaps In the Seams, Visible Holes — Properly-installed single-ply roofing like TPO or EPDM should be a single, unbroken layer of roofing material. Holes and gaps in the seams can be patched or re-welded, however if the problem is too widespread, you will need to have a new outer layer installed.
Material Warping or Bubbling — Adhered single-ply roofing should look perfectly flat. Warping or bubbling, indicates long-term heat damage to the substrate. Depending on the extent of the heat damage, you may be looking at major repair work, if not a full replacement.
State Roofing is your leading provider of commercial and residential roofing services. Give us a call at (360) 794-7164. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Tacoma and Kirkland, WA.
