Philadelphia winters are harsh. Melted snow leads to winter roof leaks if an underlying issue has gone untreated. Before the snow and inclement weather begins, hire roofing professionals to perform inspections. Doing so could prevent replacement after snow and ice have impacted your roof. Continue reading this article to learn about common cold weather roofing problems and how contractors like Seal Roofing have quality solutions.
Common Commercial Winter Roofing Issues
Winter weather is hard on your roof, especially in climates like the northeast. Heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures lead to the degradation of roofing materials. Sudden roof contraction due to thermal shock from cold weather causes surface deterioration, cracks, and splits.
Taking the initiative to implement preventative measures is a great start. However, some damage is still inevitable because winter brings on a host of roofing issues that are out of the control of commercial property owners and facility managers. Here’s the trick: these damages are repairable as long as the damage doesn’t go untreated. Let’s run through common winter roofing issues:
Ponding Water
Freezing conditions throughout the winter keep snow on top of flat commercial roofs, which is expected. When facility managers or property owners notice standing or ponding water 48 hours past melting, this becomes an issue. Winter snowfall and ice significantly contribute to the stress of roofing systems, resulting in expensive water leaks. The constant freezing and thawing of ponding that infiltrates roofing membranes throughout the winter expands internal components. Your system expands over time, quickly deteriorating its overall condition.
The best response to reduce ponding damage in the winter is to contact commercial roof services to inspect drainage and gutters systems, which are likely clogged or positioned incorrectly.
Condensation
Mold and mildew stem from condensation resulting from faulty or damaged ventilation. This is when warm indoor air reaches the cold underside of a roofing system. Condensation often goes unnoticed by property owners until an inspection is conducted by a professional.
To prevent mold, leaks, and other issues associated with condensation, install proper roof ventilation to provide proper airflow. Roof ventilation reduces the warm air hitting cold undersides in the winter.
Ice Dams
Temperature variation creates ice dams in the wintertime. Dams form when lower roof portions remain below freezing while the top layer collects ice. Water runoff then freezes, forming an ice dam near the roof’s edge and gutters. Proper ventilation and insulation minimize the likelihood of ice dams developing. These proactive measures prevent the roof’s upper portions from getting too warm.
Icicles
Icicles are a danger to the structure of commercial buildings and anyone below. Added weight during significant winter weather conditions causes gutters systems to collapse, endangering anyone below and your building’s health. Facility managers can reduce the effects of icicles by conducting regular sweeps with snow rakes, knocking off any frozen buildup. Professional maintenance or clearing of debris by facility managers before the winter prevents gutters and drainage systems from clogging.
Fallen Tree Limbs
The impact of tree limbs and other falling objects wreaks havoc on the roof’s surface. Once debris hits your roof, it can scrape off asphalt granules or damage metal material, which calls for roof repair. If tree limbs or other objects are heavy enough, they can penetrate the roof membrane and cause further interior damage, like leaks.
Invest in trimming services to prevent trees from falling onto your building and damaging the roof. Any tree limbs within six feet of the building must be cut so your property isn’t susceptible to impact damage during a snowstorm.
Pest Intrusion
Rodents commonly find refuge in commercial building structures once they gain access through your damaged roof. Small gaps can be an entryway for critters to invade your property, causing you to hire an exterminator. Roofing repairs are required immediately to avoid further exposure. Close any openings or lifts in the surface before winter temperatures arrive to prevent needing re-roofing in below-freezing weather.
The Importance of Commercial Maintenance for Winter Roofing
Commercial roof maintenance is a series of procedures professional contractors take to maintain the condition of your surface long-term. Commercial roof services like Seal Roofing perform maintenance and inspection for commercial spaces like corporate offices, educational facilities, strip malls, shopping centers, industrial buildings, and manufacturing plants.
Benefits of Commercial Roof Maintenance Plans
- Reducing future repair costs: Investing in maintenance costs annually is just a fraction of the price of costly roof repairs and replacements.
- Increased energy efficiency: Consistent commercial maintenance increases your building’s energy efficiency year-round through damaging UV rays in the summer and heavy snowfall in the winter.
- Prolonging roof lifespan: Replacing commercial roofs often isn’t in the budget for many businesses. Performing maintenance and adding features like waterproof membranes extend your system’s lifespan by 15 years.
Commercial Roof Services
Winter in the northeast is tough, but an unprepared commercial roof will set your business up for failure once snowfall hits. Luckily- commercial contractors like Seal Roofing in Philadelphia offer industry-leading services to prepare your roof for cold weather conditions. Continue reading below to see how commercial roof services prepare surfaces before the winter:
Commercial Roof Cleaning
Scheduling inspection before the winter is an excellent first step for prolonged roof success, but all summer and fall debris must first be cleared so professionals can properly inspect every component of the system. Regular cleaning from commercial roof services reduces mold, moss, and gutter blockage.
Animal infestation is another external factor prohibiting complete system inspection. Listed below are a few measures contractors take to safely remove animals and critters from your commercial roof:
- Remove nesting material
- Close-up accessible entryways
- Remove sources of food and nesting like nuts and leaves
- Repair possible ponding damage to eliminate a water supply
- Trim nearby trees to make roofs less accessible
Fall Inspection
Following the summer heat, fall is the best time to perform commercial roof inspections. UV damage and debris from the fall can present necessary repairs to be made before the winter weather conditions. Listed below are the critical parts of fall commercial roof inspection that help eliminate potential cold weather roofing problems:
- Ensuring roof ventilation is free of debris
- Clearing and eliminating roof membranes from ponding water and punctures
- Inspecting and sealing rooftop equipment, such as HVAC systems, to ensure components are safe and performing properly
- Removing downspouts and gutters of debris to provide proper water flow
24/7 Emergency Winter Roofing Services
Staying proactive with preventative maintenance and regular inspection are the first steps for winter roofing success; however, sometimes control isn’t always in our hands with Mother Nature. Experienced contractors serving harsh winter environments like Seal Roofing offer reliable, 24/7 emergency roof repairs to avoid damage and disasters in freezing temperatures. Professionals help reduce further damage and exposure in threatening weather conditions by fixing issues as quickly as possible.
Seal Roofing: Philadelphia’s Expert for all Commercial Roof Service Repairs in the Winter
The Philadelphia metro area experiences harsh winters every year, which is why your commercial business needs to be prepared before severe weather hits. Year-round inspections and maintenance from Seal Roofing’s experts set your structure up for success in harsh conditions. Whether you need repair or a new installation, we’re prepared to leave you with a roof that’ll stand up to storms with strength and durability. Give us a call today to avoid all cold weather roofing problems.
