Roof repair is critical to the health of any roof, but it’s especially critical to the health of your business. To keep your roof in good repair, you’ll need to be intentional about doing regular maintenance.
When issues arise outside of regular maintenance, it’s time to ensure that your commercial roof gets repaired ASAP. Ignoring roof leaks and damage only leads to bigger problems.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR ROOF NEEDS REPAIR
Depending on the materials of your roof and the severity of the damage, commercial roof repair can be a quick process, or it might take some time. The most important part of the process is getting a roof inspection from a company you can trust.
You can expect a good commercial roofer to:
- Inspect the damage to your roof
- Give you an estimate for the repairs
- Repair any leaks or damaged areas
- Replace any materials that are too damaged to be repaired
STEPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR FOR YOUR ROOF REPAIR
To better understand how you’ll walk through this process from start to finish, these are the in-depth steps to finding the right commercial contractor. Not all contractors are created equal, and not all can do commercial roof repair. You’ll need a contractor that has experience with your type of roof, as well as insurance and licensing.
STEP 1: COMPARE CONTRACTORS IN YOUR AREA
Once you have a few contractors in mind, it’s time for the next step: comparing them. It’s important to get at least three estimates so that you can compare pricing and services.
Look at reviews; make sure to look out for things like timeliness, quality of work, and customer service.
STEP 2: ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
When you talk to contractors, make sure to ask them the right questions.
Some things you’ll want to know include:
- What is their experience with commercial roof repair?
- Do they have insurance, and are they licensed for commercial roofing?
- What is included in their estimate? (materials, labor, etc.)
- What is their timeline for the project?
- Are there any additional fees not included in the estimate?
STEP 3: RECEIVE ESTIMATES FOR THE WORK
After you’ve asked all the right questions, it’s time to get estimates. Ask each of the contractors you’re considering working with for an estimate and compare them to find the best option for your business.
Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the right option.
WHEN TO GET YOUR ROOF REPAIRED
Commercial roof repair is a process that takes time, so be sure to plan. You’ll want to consider the time of year, the severity of the damage, and what type of roof you have when deciding when to get your roof repaired.
The commercial roof repair process doesn’t have to be a headache if you plan and work with the right people. Be sure that you understand what to expect, how much it will cost, and your options before getting started.
Scheduling commercial roof repair during the off-season can oftentimes lead to cheaper rates, but the most popular time to schedule roof repairs is during the summer thanks to more ideal weather conditions.
EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIRS
In some cases, commercial roof repair can’t wait. If your roof is leaking or there’s significant damage, you’ll need to get emergency repairs done as soon as possible.
Working with a qualified contractor will help to ensure that the job gets done quickly and efficiently so that you can avoid any further damage to your property.
When to call for emergency roof repair?
- Your roof is leaking
- There’s significant damage to the roof (holes, missing shingles, etc.)
- The temperature inside your building is too high or low because of a problem with the roof
- You hear strange noises coming from the roof
- There’s water damage inside your building
6 STEPS TO A DIY COMMERCIAL RUBBER ROOF REPAIR
When it comes to rubber roof repair, there are a few simple steps that you can take to fix the problem.
In most cases, commercial rubber roofs don’t need too much attention, but they’ll start to leak or develop other problems every once in a while.
If you can identify and solve the issue quickly, it will help ensure that there aren’t any further damages.
- Inspect the roof for damage
- Clean the roof
- Remove any blistering in your roof
- Remove water from the surface of the roof
- Add roof cement to areas that are damaged
- Place a new roof membrane
We missed one or more steps on this list, but following these will give you a good idea of what’s expected if you choose to DIY a roof repair process.
1. INSPECT THE ROOF FOR DAMAGE
The first step will always be to inspect the roof for damage. This will help you identify the problem areas and what needs to be fixed.
You’ll want to look for things like holes, cracks, or missing shingles. If there’s any water damage, that’s also something that you’ll want to take note of. Keeping detailed accounts of each inspection will help ensure your insurance company covers any storm damage that takes place.
2. CLEAN THE ROOF OF DEBRIS
Once you know what needs to be repaired, the next step is to clean the roof of any debris. This will help to ensure that the repairs are done properly and last for a long time. Even if your roof isn’t damaged or in need of repairs, keeping it clean will help it last longer.
It’s important to be as thorough as possible when cleaning the roof. Leaves and other debris will lead to problems in the future, including clogged gutters, downspouts, and pooling water.
3. REMOVE WATER AND ICE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE ROOF
Flat roofs and sloped roofs can have a water pool throughout different areas of the roof. The water, over time, can work its way through even the smallest cracks and crevises to cause problems. It’s critical to remove pooling water and ice dams from the surface of the roof as soon as possible.
Standing water can lead to mold and mildew growth which will shorten the lifespan of your roof.
4. REMOVE ANY BLISTERING ON YOUR ROOF
If you have a commercial flat roof that uses a rubber membrane to help protect the roof, you may have blistering on your roof. These blisters are caused by trapped moisture and can be fixed pretty easily.
The first step is to remove any water on the surface of the roof. Once the roof is dry, you’ll want to cut open the blisters and remove any water that’s inside them. After the blisters are empty, you’ll need to apply roofing cement to create a new seal over that area.
5. ADD ROOF CEMENT TO AREAS THAT ARE DAMAGED
Roof cement is the perfect tool for anyone attempting a DIY repair. It can be used to fix small holes and cracks in your commercial roof. Apply the cement to the damaged area and wait for it to dry.
Once it’s dry, you’ll want to add a new layer of roofing membrane over the top of the cement to ensure that no water can get through. If you’re working with asphalt shingles or other roofing materials, roofing cement is still a great tool to use.
6. PLACE A NEW ROOF MEMBRANE
Ultimately, a new roof membrane will need to be placed over the entire roof if you’re experiencing the need for frequent repairs. This is the best way to ensure that your commercial roof will be completely protected from any future damage.
New membranes should be installed semi-regularly to help ensure that there aren’t leaks or water damage caused to the building.
HIRE MARS ROOFING FOR A FULL COMMERCIAL REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT
If your commercial roof is beyond repair or you don’t have the time to fix it yourself, hiring a professional is always the best option.
Mars Roofing has years of experience with commercial roofing and can help you assess the damage and decide on the best course of action.
Contact Mars Roofing today for a free estimate!