Prepping a Commercial Roof for Winter

11/29/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Roof

In areas with climates that cause severe or even moderate winter weather, extreme conditions can cause a lot of damage to many different areas of the roof and building, especially if the roof hasn’t been properly maintained and prepped. Routine maintenance and implementing a winter-prep program decreases the risk of damage to the roof as well as reduces interior damage due to water entering the building through a leak in the roof.

Roof Inspections

Because commercial roofs are constantly exposed to the outdoor elements, it’s essential for a professional contractor to perform a routine inspection. The summer heat can cause cracks in the membrane while heavy winds can cause wind uplift. Often this damage goes undetected until winter when the roof may sustain even further damage from heavy snow loads or ice expansion.

Roof Cleaning

Once a layer of snow comes in, it can bury access points making it more difficult to get to the roof’s gutters and drains, that is why a fall inspection is pertinent. When leaves and debris collect in the gutter system, it eventually will create a clog in the downspouts and the rainwater will overflow the gutters, damaging the roof and potentially the exterior of the building. The added weight of the wet leaves and water could also cause the gutters to pull loose from the anchor point and collapse.

Winter Plan

If the building is located in an area where snow and ice are common, it’s a good idea to create a roof snow and ice removal plan. If snow isn’t promptly removed from the roof, the snow can melt during the day and then re-freeze during the evening in what’s known as the freeze/thaw cycle. After this cycle takes place, the snow will develop into layers of ice and become far more difficult to remove in addition to weighing considerably more than fresh snow. During the freeze/thaw cycle, ice has a tendency to form around roof drains and restrict proper drainage. This becomes a serious hazard not only because of the additional weight it places on the roof, but because as the snow and ice melts, water can slowly seep into cracks and crevices in the roofing membrane and then freeze, expanding the openings and causing additional damage and costly repairs.

SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt can help you mitigate any winter damage to a commercial roof by conducting a thorough inspection to help you recover more quickly from any damage. Call the trusted professional today at  SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt at 217-935-2992