PHP Roofing Blog

Your rooftop does a lot more than protect your business from the elements. Your roof can be a platform for HVAC units, vents, antennae, satellite dishes, elevator equipment, skylights, and, for some businesses, even a meeting space. Because rooftops can be such busy places, roof walkways are an important part of protecting both your roof and the people who use it to do their jobs. But you don’t want to turn the entire rooftop into a walkway, so the question becomes where exactly do you need them most? In short, anywhere you need to protect the roof or ensure roof safety for your workers.

Protecting your roof and your workers means knowing when you need expert help. That requires recognizing both the type of problem you have and the seriousness of the situation, and that can only happen when you’re carrying out regular inspections of your rooftop supports and know what to look for.

Whether there are hurricanes and tropical storms on the coasts, or tornadoes and damaging straight winds inland, high winds have the potential to inflict serious damage on buildings. And rooftop structures are particularly vulnerable to wind damage! As the interface between roof equipment and the building envelope, your roof supports are a critical element to consider in your precautions against high wind events.  

Most roofing professionals recommend twice-yearly roof inspections. And this is not just about their bottom line! Regular roofing maintenance and inspections have been proven to increase roof longevity significantly. Not inspecting can in some cases even void your roof warranty.

Your roof can be a dangerous place without the proper equipment in place for maintenance professionals. It’s no wonder roofers continue to be at the top of the most dangerous jobs list each year. In fact, the Washington Post just named roofers as the fifth deadliest job of 2013.

Roof walkways are an easy solution to protect employees, equipment, and the rooftop itself. And if you really need convincing, here are four reasons why you really ought to consider installing them as soon as possible:

When improper rooftop support systems are designed, engineered, or installed incorrectly, they can have a significant impact on the structural integrity and performance of a building’s entire roof area. In fact, the use of improper or inadequate roof equipment supports is one of the most common causes of roof failure – and don’t think that roofing membrane manufacturers and installers don’t know it too!

Today, as architects, designers, and builders are challenged to continuously increase the efficiency of building performance, it seems that every square inch of building’s space is scrutinized to insure that it can be used to its fullest potential.

A new rooftop is a major investment. Designing and installing a support system for your rooftop pipes and equipment is a critical part of protecting the investment you made in your roof. However, there’s one final piece of the puzzle: roof walkways. Sound like a luxury? It isn’t. Here are 4 reasons roof walkways are a wise investment: