Commercial Roof Replacement

What is involved in a commercial roof replacement? For commercial businesses, it’s important to know what to expect. For one, there are a number of items that should first be accounted for. For example, an experienced Colorado commercial roofing company should conduct a thorough roof inspection to determine if a roof replacement is viable. Selecting a competent, licensed roof replacement specialist can determine existing damages and to what extent. Roofing experts, like those at B&M Roofing, will guide you through the process and help you formulate a sound decision for your commercial roof replacement.

Below we’re outlining a few important details in this process. In addition, we’ll review what you should prepare for in terms of expected job completion and how to prepare your commercial space for the construction.

Evaluating Commercial Roofing Needs

Ideally, the roof of your business should be checked by qualified roof repair professionals twice a year in the fall and spring. If you have a severe weather event like ice, hail, heavy rains or high winds, your roof should be checked more frequently as it can pose issues and even be hazardous for your commercial business.

The material of which your roof is made is also a factor. Some roofing materials are not as sturdy as others. For example, roofs made of so composite shingles, asphalt shingles, and wooden shingles might need to be inspected only every three years. Tile roofs may need an inspection only every five years. Typically, sheet metal roofs are the most durable and can save on upkeep and maintenance costs. B&M Roofing offers expert architectural metal roofing for commercial businesses.

In terms of evaluating your commercial roofing needs, be sure to contact experts that can conduct a thorough review of the current state of a commercial roof. While you can do spot checks yourself, it is often better and safer to have a professional check it. Roofing professionals have the tools and knowledge to do this safely and competently. You might miss important signs of roof wear that can be costly in the long-run. Additionally, you could also fall and seriously injure yourself.

Is it time for a Commercial Roof Replacement?

Of course, it is always better to have a professional roofing inspection done. But, you can check your roof for indicators of a need for repair yourself by asking these questions:

1. How Old is the Roof?

This is a good place to start. Roofing specialists recommend replacing roofing that is over fifteen years old. A roof may last about twenty years. This varies with the material used. According to research reported in US News, asphalt shingles don’t last more than ten years while wood shingles may last a quarter-century.

2. Are there Buckled and/or Curled Shingles?

The shingles on your commercial building should be flat on the roof. Have them inspected for curling, buckling, or damage. Be sure to have gutters and downspouts checked for shingle granules. These indicate that your roof is shedding.

3. Are the Roof Valleys Rusted?

Those V-shaped metal channels in the “folds” of your roof are roof valleys. They help precipitation go off the roof into the gutter. If these get rusted, your roof may leak.

4. Is the Roof Missing Shingles or Tiles?

Have a roofing specialist check for missing shingles, tiles, or shakes.

5. Are there Gaps in the Chimney Flashing?

The flashing around vents, chimneys, or keep these areas from leaking. It’s vital that they are not cracked or broken. Metal flashing usually lasts longer.

6. Can I See Daylight through the Roof Boards?

Look in your attic. Check the roof. Look for daylight through the roof boards.

7. Do I Notice Sagging and Moss on the Roof?

Look for signs of sagging and/or moss. This indicates moisture. Look at the insulation in the attic for moisture. Sags in the roof indicate roof rot.

For more information about qualified roof checks, be sure to check out this resource from Modernize.

When is it Better to Repair a Roof?

According to builder Bob Villa, there are signs that help you decide when it is better to repair than replace the roof of your business.

It is relatively inexpensive to repair your roof by replacing only the shingles that were damaged by wind, sun, snow, ice, hail, tree branches or other events. If some shingles are torn or damaged, these can quickly be replaced making roof repairs easy and cheap. Damage doesn’t always mean complete roof replacement on your commercial property is called for.

However, Bob Villa points out, if your roof isn’t fairly new, expect to be patching frequently. In a case like that, replacement might have been a better plan.

If you plan to sell your business in the next few years, it is often better to repair. The trick is to make sure the shingles match. For curb appeal, badly mismatched shingles do not impress clients or potential buyers. In such cases, whole roof replacements may be warranted.

There is a third option, Bob Villa notes, you could choose to do partial roofing done. However, you need to know that often partial roof replacement is costlier per square foot than whole roof replacement. The tipping point seems to be areas greater than 10 feet by 10 feet.

Another consideration is the number of previous shingle layers that already exist. If there are two or more layers, roofers often recommend a full roof replacement. The increased cost of labor and disposal often makes a partial roof replacement less appealing and less cost-effective than a full roof replacement.

Aesthetically, partial roof replacements are also risky. You may end up with uneven shingles and/or a noticeable hump.

Commercial Roofing Experts Provide Better Results

When you have a professional roofing crew already on-site with their scaffolding, ladders, and other roofing equipment it is also best to give serious attention to replacing the entire roof.

Another consideration when deciding between repair and replacement is your business’ susceptibility to future severe weather events. Is a full roof replacement going to be sturdier for other hurricanes, torrential rains, hail, snow, ice, or high winds?

Roofing specialists know that they should use more durable shingles. They are aware that there is now better adhesive than those used in previous roof installations often had. They know six nails per shingle is better than four. They also use sturdier roofing nails than previous jobs even had available back then.

Due to severe weather events, rules have changed. The International Residential Code is a body aimed at meeting home and commercial building owners’ needs through regulations that ensure public health and safety. The ICC states that roof repair services cannot replace a roof over two or more roof coverings regardless of the type of roof covering.

If you decide to replace the entire roof, it gives you a valuable chance to take a look at the condition of your roof. You can have roofing specialists check for wood rot. They can also check the sheathing fasteners. Making necessary repairs and/or adding fasteners to sheathing can help avoid the serious losses caused when sheathing blows off the roof. These repairs also keep rain from getting into your building and causing dramatic and costly damage to the interior.

Expectations during Roof Replacement

Depending on the size of your building and the size of the roofing crew, your company is looking at one or two weeks of workplace disruption. Your roofing specialist will give you an accurate timeframe for the job. It will take the company up to a week to order materials and get work equipment set up at your site. The contractor may also have other jobs ahead of yours. Again, the roofing specialist can give you an accurate assessment.

First, the roofing company will remove and dispose of the current shingles. Things will be a little noisy and messy during this period of a day or more but contractors will have a dumpster and haul-away plans in place.

While the new roof is being installed, there will be noise. However, your business should not be disrupted during the roof replacement. Think of employee incentives like a free lunch or treats during the installation to thank them for overlooking the distraction.

Why Choose B&M Roofing?

When you are looking for a qualified and competent roofing specialist, the best guarantee of good service is customer satisfaction. Ask trusted friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors about their roof repair or replacement. Check out the testimonials on our website. We’ll be happy to put you in touch with our clients.

Of course, a full roof replacement is a big-ticket item. However, if it is properly installed by competent roofing specialists like B&M Roofing, it will last your company for decades. With something as vital as the roof you’re your head, it is important to get the job done right.

For more information about our company’s guarantee and to schedule a free roof inspection and estimate, contact us for a free commercial roof inspection by calling (303) 443-5843.