The Best Ways to Maintain Your Roof

Managing a commercial property or running a facility is a lot of work. It is understandable that certain things can fall off your radar when you’re handling your day-to-day. One item that should not be ignored, however, is the maintenance of your commercial roof. As the most essential part of any structure, your commercial roof needs to remain in tip-top shape in order to avoid expensive repairs or full replacement. 

The saying “A good defense is a good offense” is very apt when it comes to roof of a facility. Staying on top of maintenance can save money and keep an operation moving smoothly. Below are some of the best ways that you can manage your commercial roof maintenance:

Keep it Clean
One way to get the most out of your commercial roof is through cleanliness. When loose material like twigs, leaves and rocks accumulate on a roof, they contribute to clogs, standing water, and the growth of algae. All these result in the deterioration of the roof, making it important to remove all debris on a regular basis. 

Stay on Top of Leaks
Whether the cause stems from the weather or accumulation of debris, leaks are a common occurrence for commercial roofs. As soon as you notice an area of seepage or a full leak, call a repair as soon as possible. Leaks can become more than just a hassle and have the potential to cause electrical damage, equipment/inventory damage, or even the entire collapse of your roof. 

Schedule Regular Inspections
It does pay to be observant, but unless you are a trained roofing professional, there is bound to be aspects of your roof that will “go over your head” so to speak. Schedule an annual inspection from a licensed roofing professional. They can spot weak spots in your roof and work to prevent costly damage and replacement. Inspectors will be able to spot leaks and sagging in your roof and come up with a plan for restoration. 

At Matrix Roofing Systems, we have been a resource for commercial facilities for years. Our team of professionals knows what it takes to keep a roof maintained and safe for the long haul. Whether you think your facility needs repair or you want to start scheduling annual inspections, give us a call to learn how we can help you!

Common Commercial Roofing Problems that Can Be Avoided

Commercial buildings experience a range of roofing issues that cause business owners to seek a roofing contractor. Leaks, clogged gutters, and damaged membrane are some of the most typical problems that all types of buildings endure. However, there are some problems that are unique to commercial roofs.

Tree branches, leaves, and other debris can collect on top of drain covers and slow down water drainage. A clogged drain in a commercial building can be, at best, an unpleasant mess. In some cases, clogged drains are the cause of significant damage to the building. Serious clogs or clogs that are deep in the plumbing or drainage system will most likely require professional attention.

If drains become clogged with debris, standing water on the roof will follow. This standing water can attract insects, lead to mold and algae growth, and create interior leaks. It can also accelerate the deterioration of the roof, thus reducing its longevity. To ensure the roof isn’t "ponding," contact a professional.

Pitch pockets protect the pipes that run through roofs. Occasionally, a pitch pan becomes dislodged and then water trickles down the pipelines and causes leaks. This can happen for a few reasons, usually related to structural movement. The sealant can also dry out and shrink. It’s also possible that the penetration that is wrapped by the pitch pocket moves or vibrates, thus compromising the pitch pocket seal. Regardless of the reason, all pitch pocket problems mean leaks.

To help prevent problems in the future and ultimately avoid headaches for your business, clear debris from your roof any time you can see it building up on your roof or gutters. If you notice any of your downspouts not draining properly, be sure to check your gutter system and call us today to learn how we can protect your company's largest asset! Our Preventative Maintenance Program ensures that our experienced inspectors perform an in-depth survey of your roof and document and photograph its conditions to create customized repair and/or maintenance recommendations for you.

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!

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.