Your Complete Guide to Commercial Flat Roof Repair
When your roof is too far gone, avoid sinking money into superficial repairs with a replacement. However, the process can be confusing. You may have a few questions, like:
- What are the different types of commercial flat roofing?
- What’s the process to repair a commercial flat roof?
- What should I look for when evaluating commercial roof repair services in Philadelphia?
Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about commercial flat roof repairs.
What Are the Types of Commercial Flat Roofing?
There are several types of commercial flat roofing, and the repairs available depend on your specific material. For commercial businesses around Philly, some of the most popular roofing systems are:
Metal Roofs
Metal shingles are a popular choice for commercial buildings in need of a durable roof. With proper maintenance, you can keep metal shingles in top condition for over 50 years. In addition to its long lifespan, flat metal roofing offers several practical advantages, such as:
Energy Efficiency
Many business owners are surprised to learn that investing in metal roofing can significantly increase their building’s energy efficiency. Because metal is naturally reflective, the sun’s rays deflect away from your commercial space. By reducing the heat transfer between the inside and outside temperatures, metal roofs make it easier for your heating and cooling systems to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Increased Protection
Metal flat roofing is also fire resistant, and the interlocking panels maximize your roof’s wind resistance, allowing for increased building protection should a disaster strike.
EPDM Roofing
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, or EPDM, is a synthetic rubber material that provides several benefits your business can capitalize on, including:
Water-Resistance
Because rubber is hydrophobic, EPDM roofing is also leak-proof and helps protect the structural integrity of your property. If used in the right environment, they can last for more than 20 years.
Energy Consumption
Like metal roofing, EPDM solutions offer increased energy efficiency for your business, as the rubber material is designed to reduce heat absorption. And the temperature of EPDM roofing is around 30%-40% lower than other roofing materials, bringing significant savings when monthly utility bills come around.
What’s the Process to Repair a Commercial Flat Roof?
The commercial flat roof repair process can be broken down into three stages:
1. Inspection
The first step in a repair project is to determine the status of your roof. To start, you’ll need the help of a professional contractor to:
- Assess your roof’s condition
- Determine your repair options
- Develop a specific plan of action
2. Prep
Once your roofing contractors identify what areas need attention, they prepare your roof for repair work, which includes:
- Removing debris
- Ordering materials
- Removing damaged areas
- Securing permits (if required)
Depending on the size of your building, the planning phase can last anywhere from a few days to a month.
3. Repairs
Depending on your facility size and roofing material, the repair process can take hours or a few days to complete. During this stage, your contractors will conduct repair tasks to improve the long-term health of your flat roof.
Regular repairs and maintenance are crucial to reaching your roof’s full potential. When minor issues go left unchecked, they can turn into significant problems down the road and shorten the lifespan of your system. Scheduling regular roof repairs ensures any issues in your flat roofing system are resolved and provides the peace of mind that your commercial flat roof will last for decades.
How Do I Find High-Quality Commercial Roof Repair Services in Philadelphia?
If you’re looking to find a provider for commercial roofing in Philadelphia, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from. To avoid getting stuck with a sub-par project contractor, read these steps:
Read Online Reviews
When searching for commercial roof repair services, online reviews are a great place to start. Create a list of potential providers and read their reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp. These are the major review websites, so you’ll get a large sample size of customer experiences. Reading through several testimonials gives you a comprehensive picture of what different roofing companies do, more importantly, the quality of their repairs.
Talk to Neighbors, Friends, and Other Businesses
While online reviews can be helpful, they shouldn’t be the beginning and end of your search for a reliable roofing contractor. You should also talk to neighbors, friends, and other businesses.
There’s a high probability several of your connections have used a local roofing contractor in the past that they’re willing to vouch for or, more importantly—recommend avoiding. As a helpful tip, ask your personal and professional connections:
- What made your experience with these roofers good or bad?
- How attentive were they to your specific roofing needs?
- Was the price fair for the amount of repairs you received?
- Did you experience any roof leaks, cracks, or damage after their repairs?
Just remember, if they used a company more than two years ago, take their recommendation with a grain of salt. Roofing companies can improve and change over time, and it might be worth giving your potential provider the benefit of the doubt, as a lot can change over two years, including their repair quality.
Seal Roofing: Your Top Choice for Commercial Roofing in Philadelphia
For over 30 years, Seal Roofing has delivered high-quality commercial flat roof repairs to businesses across the Philadelphia metro area. We’re known for providing dependable solutions that keep you covered. Is your flat roof overdue for some TLC? Reach out to our experts and schedule your service appointment—we’re ready to bring your roof back to life.