When most people think about winterizing their roofs, they think about their homes and what it will take to keep their family safe and comfortable through the cold months. However, if you own a commercial building, you also need to consider it before the ice and snow hit. Some commercial property owners work with a professional exterior maintenance company that handles everything from fall roof inspections to snow removal and more. While this is the ideal for commercial building owners, some decide for one reason or another that it’s not a good fit. If you don’t have a commercial exterior maintenance company, here is what you need to make sure is done to prepare your building’s roof for winter.
Have a Fall Inspection
You know your roof at home needs a thorough inspection when the seasons change, right? Your commercial roof does as well. Schedule an inspection that can pinpoint issues like clogged drains, weak spots in the roof, or damage that can lead to big problems once the ice and snow hit. This is especially important if your roof is nearing the end of its life. A roof that has been properly winterized is much less likely to leak or have other structural problems during the months of heavy snow and the daily freeze/thaw cycles.
Understand Winter Risks
Your roof can obviously leak or fail during any season. However, the winter months in the Midwest put an especially heavy strain on them. From sleet and ice to high winds and temps that can fluctuate up to 20 or 30 degrees in a single day, Midwest winters are hard on roofs. If you do not detect defects in flashing or sealant, it can lead to separation at the seams, ridges, blisters, splits between the membrane and other issues that can lead to roof failure. When you consider how much valuable equipment you have in your building as well as the cost of repairing or replacing a roof in the dead of winter, you’ll see that an inspection is well worth the money.
Consider Roof Coating Protection
If you have single-ply membranes that are getting old, they can be brittle and prone to leaks. If your roof is getting old or has been patched multiple times, applying a roof coating could help extend its life and get you through the season. Certain types of coating can also be applied to older metal roofs.
Your roof may or may not qualify for coating. You need to talk to a commercial roofing specialist like A&A Roofing & Exteriors to see if it’s right for you. If you do qualify, an expert can remove wet insulation and make repairs before applying a protective coating to provide season-long protection. It’s important to note that coatings should always be applied by a professional roofing contractor. Applying the wrong coating or not doing it correctly can cause a number of problems.
Develop a Snow Plan
We all know that Midwest storms can easily dump three or more feet of snow onto your roof. If you don’t have a snow removal plan, this can lead to roof collapse. While your roof was probably designed to handle additional snow, partially thawed or refrozen snow can result in a load even the strongest roof can’t bear. To prevent roof collapse, property damage and injuries, work with a professional snow removal company who can remove snow from your roof after big storms.
Focus on Prevention
Preparing your commercial building’s roof for winter is all about prevention. When you work with a professional roofing contractor like A&A Roofing & Exteriors, you will know your building will be safe through the winter months. Call us today for a free inspection.
