PHP Roofing Blog

Out of every surface on your building, your roof is the one that spends the most time exposed to rain and wind-driven moisture. There is absolutely no way to prevent water infiltration entirely, but there are ways to prevent most of it – and unless you try, your roof and its contents will quickly be eaten by rot and hazardous mold.

There are several different types of commercial roof coatings used today, including silicone, acrylic, aluminum, and polyurethane.  They are sometimes referred to as restoration membranes because roof coatings are often applied over existing rooftop membranes, as opposed to being part of a new roof construction detail.  They can also be used in partial applications to coat and re-coat parapet walls or portions of a roof. 

While 15 years might seem like a long time, building owners know that this average life expectancy for roofing materials and RTUs can fly by quickly.  

That’s especially true when your traditional built-up roof starts showing signs of water damage. Suddenly you’re left with a choice—maintain the rip-and-replace cycle or make an investment in rooftop retrofit projects.

Roofing professionals will tell you that roof lifespans are typically based on averages. This is a function of location. But some materials will outperform others in any given place. The following guidelines are designed to help you make your roof perform to the very best of its potential, no matter where it may be.

Roof replacement is sometimes a necessary expense for your business if your employees, customers, and products are in danger of being injured in a collapse. However, this service comes with a high price tag, so you want to make sure that you can save some money while still receiving a quality job. Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to get the best deal on your roof replacement.

Regular roof maintenance is vital for keeping your roof watertight and preventing expensive future problems. One of the most important things on your roof maintenance checklist should be your pipe and equipment supports. Identifying and troubleshooting problems early will help ensure a long-lasting roof system. To lengthen the lifespan of your roofing system, regularly check your rooftop for the following signs of failure.

If you do business out of a building that is relatively old, it likely has wooden supports to hold up pipes and equipment on the roof. This approach to commercial and industrial rooftops deserves some fresh thinking, since better solutions are now available.

How much attention are you giving to the roof that protects your company’s building? Even if you have a roof maintenance and inspection plan in place, a regular inspection from a professional is a wise investment. As the building’s manager, owner, or design engineer, it’s prudent to have a better understanding of what to expect from a professional roof inspection, before you make an appointment for service.

Research shows that facility administrators, owners and maintenance professionals who inspect and repair their commercial rooftop on a regular schedule spend only 14 cents per square foot, versus 25 cents per square foot for those that don’t. That’s 44% savings just from performing basic proactive maintenance on your rooftop! What’s more, a proactively cared for roof lasts around eight years longer than one fixed on an as-needed basis.

A new commercial rooftop is an investment, one that doesn’t always come at the most opportune time for business owners and facility managers. It’s understandable that you might want to put it off – the question is, can you? Waiting too long is a big risk, one that may end up costing you even more in repairs and you will still need a new roof. How do you know when you are at the point that a new roof is a necessity instead of a luxury? There are some clear indicators that say it’s time.