What is the Installation Process Like For a New Commercial Roof?

Getting a new roof for your commercial facility is something that property managers don't deal with every day. Like any process we are not wholly familiar with, we often feel a little more comfortable when we know what to expect. If you need a new roof and want to know what the process is like, we can walk you through it.

Prepping the Space

Before the roofing even starts, you will want to ensure that your property remains protected. This often means using tarps and plywood to shield all walls, siding, and surrounding plants. You will also need to instruct your team/tenants to park away from the building for the safety of their vehicles. The key is to move anything that could potentially be damaged by debris. As for what to move, your contractor will give you suggestions. If there are things that cannot be moved, the roofing team will take precautions to protect the area.

Removing the Old Roof

New roof installation begins with removing the old materials. This also means removing the old underlayment until only the wood decking underneath is exposed. This is where most debris comes from as they are physically removing materials. The removal and installation process can differ based on the material of your commercial roof. It may help to connect with the manufacturer of your roof’s material to get an idea of the most effective removal strategy. 

Inspecting The Decking

Under the roof and underlayment is wood decking. The decking will be inspected for rot or water damage. If any is found, the wood will be removed and replaced before your new roof goes on. This is a key step in the process, as another replacement may be required if the decking isn’t solid.
Installation

When it comes time to install a new roof, the team will install drip edges to prevent rain from penetrating your roofing materials. They will then lay down a layer of underlayment to provide another layer to stop water and ice penetration as well as to stop the roofing material from sticking to the decking. Finally, your selected roofing material will be installed. 

Cleanup

While your new roof is installed, before the team leaves, they will clean up after themselves. This means removing any errant roofing materials, wood, or underlayment that escaped the installation or removal process. They will also scour the area for nails and other debris so your property is perfectly clean.

If you believe it’s time for your commercial building to have an upgrade, call Matrix Roofing Systems! We can provide you with an estimate, discuss the installation process, and come up with a solution for your structure. This is what makes us the top roofing company in the Mid-Atlantic area!

What Roof Discoloration Really Means

A dirty, discolored roof can be far more than a mere eyesore. Although accumulations of dust and debris will certainly detract from the curbside appeal of your commercial building, they can also indicate serious underlying issues. Thus, before you hire a pressure washing company to clear discoloration up with "soft wash" treatments, it's important to know exactly what you're dealing with. It may be that hiring roofers to perform a thorough roof inspection instead is the best course of action.

Rusty Roof Components

Dusty, red-brown stains on your roof are a likely indication that metal components are becoming corroded. Roofs that are largely metal may need to be treated by professional roof painters. In this case, several coats of quality paint will likely limit further corrosion. Conversely, if evidence of rusting is only visible around various metal components such as at metal flashing, antenna mounts, or HVAC equipment, consider having these treated with oxalic acid or vinegar. This will mitigate the problem and keep future rusting to a minimum. Whenever rust exists at the rooftop, be sure to have professionals roofers verify that corrosion-related damages to metal components have not diminished the roof's overall integrity.

Fading & Aging

Commercial roofing tends to discolor just as the end of their lifespans are reached. Commonly referred to as bleed-through, this discoloration is the result of constant and long-term exposure to the natural elements. Harsh winds, excessive temperatures, prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays, and constant changes in humidity invariably lead to deterioration. If your roof hasn't been replaced in quite some time, you may want to call roofers for an inspection as soon as any noticeable color streaks appear.

Algae Infestations At The Rooftop

A fast-developing coating of algae can leave your rooftop dirtied with dark black and green streaks.  Algae is a fairly common issue for roofs in humid areas given that these organisms feed on the limestone-based fillers that surround shingles. In this case, having the roof treated with a "soft-wash" that includes an appropriate algae-fighting solution should be enough to clear the discoloration up. Letting algae infestations fester and spread, however, can result in the fusion of algae with fungi. This leads to lichen, which is ultimately far more difficult to get rid of.

Addressing roof discoloration at its source is essential. Certain problems cannot be simply hosed off. With bleed-through and extensive corrosion, repairs, replacements, or special maintenance tasks may be in order. If you have concerns about the changing colors of your roof, give Matrix Roofing Systems a call. We are the Mid-Atlantic region’s top source of roofing help!

How the Winter Can Lead to Roofing Issues in the Spring

Anyone in the Mid-Atlantic region can tell you how punishing the winters can be. Property managers are especially aware of this when it comes to the buildings they manage. The cold season throws several challenges to commercial roofing, which can be exasperated by the incoming warmer months. Pre-spring is a great time to handle roof maintenance, as it can catch the following issues that are caused by winter weather:

Leaky Roofs

Commercial roofing tends to collect ice and snow over the winter months. With rising temperatures and more intense sunlight, all of the ice will be melting into water. Depending on the amount of ice that's melting, all of the moisture can find its way through various cracks or openings and cause leaks in your roof. Look around your facility’s walls and ceilings; if you notice stains, it's likely that your roof is leaking and in need or repair. 

Wildlife Infestation

During the cold weather, animals like squirrels, raccoons, and birds are extra determined to find warm spaces to take shelter. Areas like chimneys, loose siding, and broken shingles are common places for animals to live in. Keep an eye out for the presence of pests or take note of strange noises coming from the walls or ceilings. You'll risk electrical damage and more if you allow wildlife to remain unchecked.

Clogged Gutters/Drainage Systems

If you haven't had your drainage system checked in the past year, there’s a big chance that it needs a cleaning. Fallen leaves and other debris can clog your gutters and downspouts, which can advance to greater problems like roof and siding damage. Don't skip out on your gutters on your spring cleaning to-do list, or you may need to take on a lengthy roof repair project. 

Roof Sagging

If you live in an area that got a lot of snowfall this year, you may want to check in on your roof's structural integrity. When snow and ice accumulate, the weight of the frozen material can damage your commercial roof, leading to sagging, cracks, and pooling water. A professional roof inspector can spot these areas before they graduate to bigger issues. Smaller roof repair projects can prevent expensive roof replacements!

To get the most out of your commercial roofing, it's key to check in on it after the winter months. Kick off your spring with a clean slate by booking a roof inspection. This will especially be helpful before the summer heat and storms pose threats of their own in a few months. To learn more, contact the experts at Matrix Roofing Systems, Inc.!

What You Risk When Putting Off Commercial Roof Repair

When it comes to commercial roof repair, it’s pretty understandable to most that it’s necessary. No one wants to work underneath a damaged roof, after all. Property managers can sometimes be guilty of putting off important roof repairs, however. Doing this can spell disaster in the long run. 

In this blog, we’ll be explaining the types of pitfalls that come along with failing to complete commercial roof repairs. 

The Damage Gets Worse

As you can imagine, not addressing your roof’s damage right away can result in further damage. Take a leak, for example. If you allow moisture to permeate your roof, the problem will only grow until you fix it. Some roofs have multiple layers with a lot of space for leaks to hide. Once the water starts coming in, it won’t stop until a professional handles the repair job. 

Wildlife Can Enter

In addition to allowing water to enter your facility, holes in your roof can also provide a convenient entrance for rodents, birds, and insects. Once these animals find their way in, they tend to set up their new home quickly. Wildlife in a commercial facility can put you and others at great risk. From the physical threats of raccoons & possums to the sanitary dangers of mice, holes in your roofing need to be dealt with immediately. Every moment you allow for damage to go unfixed is another opportunity for new wildlife to settle in. 

Electrical Danger

Water damage to a roof poses great risk to your electrical system. Lots of wires and cables are present in your facility’s walls and ceilings. Water will cause mildew and corrosion to your roof, leading to tripped breakers and power outages. The worst case scenarios can include fire hazards and even electrical shocks. Rather than putting up with these risks, make commercial roof repair a priority. 

Your commercial roof requires care and maintenance in order to serve its function and keep your building safe. If you allow small problems to remain, they will continue to fester until they turn into big, expensive problems. Matrix Roofing is the Mid-Atlantic area’s top source of commercial roofing repair. Give us a call today to secure your investment and get your roof back to working order!