How to Determine if Your Roof Should be Repaired, Patched, or Replaced

The roof on your commercial building has seen better days, but it’s only been a few years since you last replaced it; could it already be time to replace it again? 

It can be challenging to determine how much work your roof requires and whether it is best to make simple repairs or replace the entire thing. While a professional inspection of your roof is the only way to determine the best course of action, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to prepare you for the best way to mend your roof. 

The term “patched” is commonly used to refer to covering holes or other damage on your roof and can be very effective in certain situations. Placing patches on punctures or tears in the membrane will work fine when you have only a handful of areas that have been damaged. If your roof is beginning to develop leaks and holes, especially if this is affecting the interior of your building, it may make sense to patch them until your roof can be properly attended to; however this is not an adequate long term solution. When there are more than just a few areas that need to be repaired, you’ll need to do a cost analysis to determine if repairing or replacing is what’s best as a long term solution. 

The third option for fixing your roof is what is referred to as a retrofit. A retrofit is a when a new roof is placed over your existing roof, making it stronger, more efficient, and takes care of any existing damage. 

For more information on roof repair and replacement, click here to visit our website.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Roof

Roofing plays a critical role in the structural integrity of your commercial building. Whether your building houses residents, employees, or expensive materials and equipment, it’s important to ensure that your building is kept safe, which all begins with proper roof maintenance. There are many reasons why it is vital that a professional performs regular maintenance of your commercial roof, but here are just a few of the top reasons from our team of experts.

Checking for damage: Having regular maintenance performed on your commercial roof allows an expert to examine your roof for any damage that may have incurred. This is especially pertinent following storms and inclement weather, when you are most likely to see damage. If addressed early on, this kind of damage can usually be eradicated before it turns into a full replacement or retrofit or additional damage to your building.

Making necessary repairs: As mentioned above, when damage is identified early on there is a good chance that repairs can be made before a replacement is necessary. Regularly scheduled maintenance ensures that repairs can be made in a timely and costly manner, which will help to keep your building and its inhabitants safe, as well as saving you money over time.

Creating a safe environment: You may decide to be a bit more lax when it comes to caring for the roof of your home, but it is vital that you take very good care of the roof on your commercial building. Aside from the need to meet specific safety and zoning requirements for your area, maintaining your commercial roof will help to keep your building in tip top shape, keeping those who live or work in it happy.

Knowing when it’s time to replace: Inevitably, at some point in time your roof will need to be replaced no matter how often maintenance is performed. However, keeping on top of maintenance and having a professional inspect and repair your roof on a consistent basis will ensure that you are made aware of when it is time to replace or retrofit your roof when the time comes. Taking care of replacing or retrofitting your roof will reduce the risk of roofing emergencies and costly service repairs in the long run.

If you have any questions about maintenance for your roof, click here to visit our website!

The Importance of Hiring a Roofing Contractor Who Specializes in Commercial Roofing

A new roof for your home or business is a huge undertaking, so selecting a roofing contractor should be done thoroughly and carefully. While all roofing contractors undergo important certifications and training, it is important to note that there are a few distinct differences between residential and commercial roof experts. When it comes to roofing for your commercial building, you’ll want to ensure that you hire a commercial roofing contractor to get the job completed efficiently and effectively. Keeping reading this blog post for more information on the importance of hiring a roofing contractor who specializes in commercial roofing.

They use the right materials:  Commercial roofs are generally much larger than residential roofs, and therefore require a larger quantity of, and different kinds of, roofing material. Selecting materials for a commercial roof is determined by the roof’s slope, occupancy (what the building is used for), and the climate and weather conditions of the area. A commercial roofing contractor will take all of these factors into account when selecting material for your commercial roof.

They understand weight and building codes: Your commercial building likely has certain building codes that need to be met during construction, as well as ones that your roof will need to meet or exceed once it is completed. Additionally, your commercial building may have heavy HVAC and other equipment on the roof which your roofer will need to take into account during design and construction. A commercial roofing expert is familiar with building codes in your area, and understands the damage that equipment can do to your roof if not properly addressed and accounted for.

They have the proper licensing: Believe it or not, a residential roofer may not even be qualified to handle your commercial roofing needs! Commercial work requires specific training and licenses, to ensure that all of the information mentioned above is basic knowledge to a roofing professional that works on commercial buildings. These regulations help to prevent damage and unnecessary repairs to commercial buildings, in turn keeping employees, residents, and equipment safe.

Matrix Roofing is proud to provide commercial roofing services to the commercial buildings in our area. For more information or to get started on your next commercial roofing project, click here to visit our website.

Spring Cleaning for the Roof of Your Commercial Building

It’s hard to believe that we’re already well into spring, and it won’t be long before the hottest days of summer are upon us. Before we reach temperatures in the triple digits, it’s important to ensure that your commercial roof will be able to properly serve you and your building throughout the warmer seasons ahead. In this blog post, we’ll address some of the most important reasons for spring-cleaning for the roof of your commercial building.

It’s well known to all that spring is a popular time for cleaning, and cleaning your commercial roof is no exception to this unofficial rule of the season. Removing dust, debris and things like tree branches that may have fallen on your roof can help to keep your commercial building safer. Not only will cleaning your roof help to prevent damage, but it can also help to alleviate any dirt or allergens that might otherwise enter into your HVAC system, causing damage and a decrease in indoor air quality in your commercial building.

Spring-cleaning allows you to address any damage that may have incurred over the winter months, which you’re likely well aware can wreak havoc on your roof. During times of extremely cold temperatures, wind, snow, and ice, your roof can become damaged and unable to properly protect and secure your commercial building. Spring-cleaning allows for a professional roofing contractor to assess any damage caused by any winter storms, and either make the necessary repairs or recommend a roof replacement or retrofit.

Spring-cleaning for your commercial roof will also include unclogging scuppers, drains and gutters if your building has them. These structures all allow for water to properly drain off and away from your building, so proper cleaning and unclogging if necessary is imperative to ensure that your commercial building and roof will not suffer any avoidable water damage.

Spring-cleaning for your commercial roof is an important part of readying your building for the warmer months ahead. If you have any questions on roof cleaning or would like to schedule commercial roof maintenance before summer, click here to visit our website.

A Leaking Ceiling Doesn't Always Mean a Leaking Roof

Water damage to your ceiling can be a very stressful problem for commercial property owners. Not only does it pose a couple of different problems, but finding the source and fixing the issue can be a strenuous task. The earlier you take action after noticing a leak in your ceiling, or a water stain, the better.

There are a couple of different reasons why a leaking ceiling should concern property owners. The first, while definitely the least important issue, is one that can help people identify and prevent larger issues. Leaking ceilings are often accompanied by water stains. They most often look like coffee colored circles around the leak.

While a water stain on your ceiling does not always indicate an active leak, they should not be taken likely. Finding and fixing the leak as soon as you notice a water stain could help prevent more serious damage. While water stains may not bother all property owners, the more serious issues they can present should not be overlooked. One issue that leaks in the ceiling are often accompanied by is mold. Mold can potentially contaminate the air and be harmful to tenants and visitors.

However, the biggest threat that a leaking ceiling presents to a property owner is affecting the structural integrity of the ceiling. Over time, as water continues to leak and build up in the drywall of the ceiling, the extra weight added by the moisture can cause the ceiling to collapse. The possibility of something this dangerous should alarm owners to take action against leaking ceilings.

A very common cause of a leaking ceiling is a leaking roof. However a leaking ceiling doesn't always mean a leaking roof. The leak can be caused by a variety of different sources. It is important to look into all of the potential sources when looking for the cause of a leak. Here are a few things to keep in mind when determining if a leak is stemming from the roof.

1. Does the ceiling only leak while it is raining? If leaks from your ceiling correspond with rainy weather, it is likely that the leaking ceiling is caused by a leak in the roof. However, if the ceiling leaks no matter the weather, it is likely caused by another issue.

2. Take a close look at the water. If the water appears dirty or leaves a colored stain on your ceiling, it is likely coming from a leak in the roof. If the water seems clean, there is a good chance it is coming from the plumbing.

If you have determined that the leak in the ceiling isn't caused by a leaking roof, the next step is investigating the internal source of the water.

One of the most common causes of ceiling leaks is faulty plumbing. A professional should look at the area surrounding the leak for issues with the plumbing. A moisture meter can be used to determine if there is an active leak or if the water damage is from a past issue. Common problems with plumbing include old pipes or pipes that are no longer sealed correctly.

While not as common, there are other potential causes of the leak worth looking into. If the leak is in a bathroom, the source of water could be an exhaust fan. If the vent is not properly insulated, the moisture collected by the exhaust fan can condense and start to leak. Another potential cause of a leaking ceiling is a buildup of frost in attics or surrounding exterior walls.

No matter where the water is coming from, it is important to deal with the issue as early as possible. The most important step in fixing a leak is finding and correcting the source of the water. Repairing or replacing the ceiling will not help very much if the leak is not dealt with.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at (267) 327-4680. We’re a commercial roofing company in New Jersey, and we’re more than happy to help you explore your options and identify the best solution for your commercial buildings.