Your commercial or industrial roof serves as an important protective layer for your business, whether it is directly above a sales floor, a factory production line, or administration offices. Your roof offers protection to employees, customers, and equipment from the elements, but adverse weather conditions can not only impact the durability of your commercial roofing system, but can cause varying different long term issues too. If these go unnoticed, the financial damage to your business could be immense.
Wind uplift
Roof damage caused by wind occurs when the air pressure below the roofing assembly is greater than the air pressure above the building’s roof. As wind flows over the building, the pressure directly above the surface of the roof decreases. At the same time, internal air pressure increases due to air infiltration through openings, cracks, etc. The result is a net upward force on the roofing system. This force is referred to as wind uplift.
High winds will conduct a serious examination on the integrity of your roof. When wind uplift occurs it will do so with great force, exposing any evidence of weakness and if there are cracks and openings on your roof this will aid the build up of air pressure within the building, adding to the already powerful uplift effect. This can led to the roof membrane being damaged, forcing screws to be pulled out and other materials being compromised.
Winter roof leaks
Melting snow and changing temperatures make loose shingles, worn sealant, and other cracks susceptible to leaks, a potential problem, causing issues on the roof or other areas of your property. As seasons change, frozen ice and snow will expand and melt, resulting in damaging water and often causes gaps, cracks and spaces to form where they did not exist before.
Condensation
When warm air meets a cold surface, condensation will occur. Additionally, inadequate ventilation can damage your roof, the decking and encourage ice dams and shorten your roof’s overall lifespan by half. Excess water in the area of the roofing materials can also lead to damage, particularly around the seams, so be sure to inspect your commercial roofing regularly and work with your commercial roofing contractor to get the proper ventilation and other systems in place to minimise this type of damage.
Clogged gutters
Another cause of roof failure during winter months is drainage problems. This is why checking and clearing all gutters, downspouts, and scuppers is imperative and all drains should be cleaned out so drainage water can move freely. Clogged gutters also encourage water to sit on top of your roof for too long. In response, the structure will eventually give way, causing water to drip from your ceiling.
In order to combat the effects of bad weather on your commercial or industrial roof, and save your business money in the long run, it is essential to have your roof installed or replaced properly, and maintained by professionals on a consistent basis.
For further information on how adverse weather conditions can effect your roof, and how we can assist on this or any other roofing enquiry, please contact us here:
London Office
Midlands Office
