6 minNot every sign of roof damage will be obvious to the average property owner. However, as a property owner, you do have an obligation to ensure that your buildings, offices, or retail spaces are safe — especially before and after a big storm.
If your commercial roofing system suffers damage, it’s important to schedule an emergency inspection to assess the necessary repairs.
But how do you determine which damages are beyond repair and require a complete commercial roof restoration?
Below are the seven major signs that a commercial roof restoration is necessary after a big storm:
1. Bubbling or Blistering 🫧
When air or moisture becomes trapped between the layers of a multi-layer roofing system or singly-ply membrane and its surrounding roof insulation, bubbles or blisters will begin to form. This post-storm issue is especially common with roof membranes such as built-up roofing, PVC, TPO, and EPFM materials.
When blistering or bubbling occurs on a commercial roofing system, the trapped moisture can travel far beyond its entry point. Eventually, it’ll cause a leak within your building as well as potential structural damage. Because the moisture migrates and there can be several spots on your commercial roof with blistering or bubbling, locating the exact source of the leak will be difficult.
Poor installation and ventilation of an existing roof are other factors that can contribute to bubbling and blistering. It’s also important to note that commercial roofs in areas that see significant changes in seasonal temperatures are more likely to develop bubbling and blistering over time.
This is why it’s important to have your commercial roof inspected periodically, aside from after big storms.
2. Ponding or Pooling 🏖️
At some point, the insulation beneath the membrane and exterior layers of your roof will become compacted. This causes depressions across your roof which will result in the sustained presence of water that persists for days after a big storm. This is also known as pooling or ponding.
Ponding and pooling only worsen with each passing storm as the weight of the water continues to compress the roofing materials. Eventually, the roof depressions will become deeper and wider, allowing for more water to pond with each storm.
Standing water will eventually lead to the growth of:
- Mold
- Algae (green, blue, and black)
- Lichen
It can also contribute to insect infestation, such as mosquitos on the roof’s surface, depending on your location and season. What’s more, the pressure from the water weight can cause sagging until a hole is torn right through the roof.
3. Water Leakage 💧
Water leakage is one of the most obvious signs of roof storm damage. Leaks can occur during a big storm, immediately after, or a few days later as any pooled or trapped water makes its way through your commercial roof’s many layers — including the roof deck.
Commercial roofs are typically low-slope roofs, which makes it notoriously difficult to track water leakage. Since water leakage often comes after bubbling and blistering, the initial entry point can be yards away from where the interior leak occurs or where the ceiling or wall stains appear.
Water leakage is an issue you want to address immediately. This is largely because you could have significant water damage within your roofing system before the leak starts, which means you could also be well on your way to more expensive structural damage.
4. Mold Growth 🍄
As mentioned before, excess moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Unfortunately, there’s no escaping mold spores as they’re just naturally all around us — and all they require to propagate are moist surfaces with little to no air movement.
The biggest issue with mold is that it spreads incredibly fast. If you spot any mold on your commercial roof, it’s a sure bet that it’s been there for at least three weeks. It should also be noted that black and green mold can cause respiratory distress for the employees that work or tenants that live in your commercial property.
What’s more, you can’t stop its growth on your own. This means you’ll need to get in touch with a commercial roof restoration contractor that specializes in mold remediation after a big storm or a stormy season. This is also part of good commercial roof maintenance practices.
5. HVAC Damage 🌡️
Storms don’t always consist of just rain. They can produce hailstones and high winds that are powerful enough to dent your commercial roof and your roof’s HVAC unit.
It’s important to understand that HVAC damage can lead to poor energy efficiency (which means higher energy bills) or no heating or cooling capacity at all. Damage to your roofing elements often requires coordinated solutions, which means you’ll likely need the help of your local commercial roof restoration specialist as well as an HVAC specialist.
6. Gutter Damage 🍃
Just like your roof’s HVAC components, gutter damage is another sign of storm damage. While gutter damage alone doesn’t typically require a full roof restoration, it’s often a sign that more damage is lurking just above.
So, if the first thing you notice is gutter damage — broken or cracked gutters, missing pieces, etc. — you’ll want to have the rest of your commercial roof inspected.
7. Wind Damage 🌬️
Storms that bring in heavy wind gusts and sustained periods of high winds, as well as straight-line winds, can wreak havoc on your commercial roof. While roofing membranes usually remain intact during severe winds, the top material layers can come loose — especially if they were installed improperly or are old.
The more exposure to severe winds, the more likely your commercial roofing material will come apart. This is especially true for vulnerable areas, such as where the material connects to your roof flashing.
What to Do When You Have Commercial Roof Storm Damage
A lot of things can go wrong after a big storm or after a stormy season. While older roofs are more susceptible to the damages listed above, even new roofs suffer immensely if they haven’t been installed or sealed properly. Therefore, it’s essential to have your commercial properties inspected by a professional after each big weather event and annually to ensure everything is in good working condition.
Whether you’re in need of an inspection or a commercial roof restoration, Tectum Roofing is here to help. Give us a call today to schedule your free inspection that comes with our price assurance guarantee.
