Your building’s roof is quite significant because it protects your property, your staff, and anything of value inside from bad weather, rain, and sunshine. Nothing lasts forever, not even your roof. Replacement will one day be for you. The real question is how long a commercial roof will last anyway.
Roofs used in commercial buildings may differ in their lifetime for just about every other reason from composition to the way they’re facing and even how they are maintained. Let us delve a little into this point so that you might have a bit of an idea about how long you expect your roof to survive and what you will be doing to give it a proper chance to survive even longer.
Lifespan of Various Commercial Roofs
There are different types of commercial roofing materials, and each will have a unique life. Here’s a rough approximation:
- TPO Roofing: 22 to 30 years
- EPDM Roofing: 25 to 35 years
- PVC Roofing: 20 to 30 years
- Metal roofing: 40-70 years.
- Built-up roofs: 15-30 years.
- Modified bitumen roofing: 20-30 years.
Keep in mind that these estimates should only be regarded as general guidelines. What constitutes a reality of your commercial roofing will consider a number of things.
Factors That Affect Your Commercial Roof’s Lifespan
What length of time remains to cause the need for the replacement of your commercial roofing? Here are the prime select ones to look into:
1. Material Quality
The major determinant in deciding the life of your roof will be the kind of material chosen. It is a certainty that high-grade construction materials will certainly cost a bit more in the beginning; however, these materials will definitively translate into a longer-lasting roof that will require less overall maintenance.
2. Installation Process
A roof is just as good as its installation. If poorly installed, it can create leaks, its weak areas, and cause it to age prematurely. Hire experienced and qualified roofing contractors at all times to enable proper installation.
3. Weather Conditions
Your local climate greatly affects the durability of your roof. Depending upon whether your locality experiences extreme heat, heavy rainfall, snowfall, or strong winds, your roof can wear out rapidly. UV rays are mainly responsible for the gradual damage to roofing materials.
4. Maintenance & Inspections
Routine housekeeping is crucial for a long-lasting roof. Neglecting small issues like cracks and leaks can lead to major damage with time coming. Plan for regular inspections, and remedy the little problems before they become a major issue.
5. Drainage System
Puddles on your roof could give rise to leaks and structural damage. Sufficient water drainage is the best way to prevent water from pooling. If your roof does not drain properly, consider making modifications to prevent the water problems.
6. Foot Traffic
If individuals regularly walk on your commercial roof for maintenance or other purposes, it can deteriorate faster. Think about using specific walkways or protective materials to minimize damage.
7. Repairs & Upgrades
Routine repairs and roof coats extend the lifespan of your roof. Your coated roof gains more protection and is thus more resistant to UV rays and moisture.
How to Extend the Life of Your Commercial Roof
Since you are now aware of the causes influencing the longevity of your roof, here are some good tips to make it last longer.
1. Organize Periodic Inspections
Routine inspections should be made by a licensed roofing professional twice a year: shortly before winter and just before summer. This is to catch small issues before they become costly ones.
2. Clear Debris & Ensure Drainage
Some Steps to Take Include: Clean Debris & Ensure Drainage
Leaves, dirt, and debris can block the drainage systems, causing a backing-up of water. Wrapping up the roof clean keeps it from losing any more life.
3. Repair Minor Problems Early
Don’t overlook minor leaks, cracks, and damage. Early treatment of such issues may avoid major repairs or total replacements in the future.
4. Apply Roof Coatings
Coating a protective layer to your roof may make it stronger against the elements and increase its life. Roof reflective coatings are also able to minimize cooling expenditures by making the building cooler.
5. Regulate Roof Traffic
Restrict excess foot traffic to your roof. If workers require access, provide walk pads in order to protect the structure.
6. Invest in Quality Materials
You will need high-quality materials during the installation of new roofing or the replacement of the existing roof. These will have to be a good match to the climate of your location and your budget.
When Should You Replace Your Commercial Roof?
Each roof has a life span that allows no escape, depending on the maintenance given. There are some indications that it may be time for a replacement:
- Leaks and water damage happen frequently
- Visible cracks or splits in the material
- Increased energy bills through inadequate insulation
- Mildew or mold growth
- Structural problems or sagging
If your roofing is on life support and has to be frequently serviced, then you may want to look into a complete replacement.
Conclusion
A properly roofed house will pretty much guarantee the worth of a good investment in return it earns. Spending on repairs or replacement can be minimized if a roof is maintained well. Using materials of good quality, to be regularly maintained, and repaired whenever damage can give roof durability in decades.
If the condition of the roof is called into question, a professional may need to be engaged to inspect the roof and suggest steps toward a solution. Maintenance prolongs the lifeline of a roof to give permissible safety and security for your business.