As any commercial property owner knows, preventing wear and tear on your roof is easier said than done. Unfortunately, even with the best care and maintenance, the adage will eventually ring true: all good things must come to an end.
Whether you overlooked damage until it was too late for a simple repair or your roof just got old, you may wonder if there are clear signs that it’s time for a new one. Read on for four signs that it’s time for a roof replacement.
You Have Leaks That Are Difficult and Expensive to Repair
Sometimes, whether to repair or replace comes down to dollars and cents. If multiple leaks are extensive or severe, a repair may be more expensive than a completely new roof.
The most obvious and potentially devastating sign of a leak is visible wet spots and stains on your ceiling. Leaks that reach the interior of your building often mean moisture buildup in higher places in your building that need to be addressed.
If you notice an interior leak, contact your roofing contractor immediately. They can accurately assess the location and severity of your leak(s). They’ll also help you determine if the issue is worth repairing or if the cost would be greater than a new roof.
Your Roof Has Suffered Severe Storm Damage
The question that’s likely on your mind is, “What, exactly, warrants severe storm damage?”
Although the definition of “severe” damage may vary depending on who you ask, we consider storm damage “severe” if anything (like a branch) penetrates your roof. Additionally, if portions of your flashing or roof were removed entirely by the wind, that’s severe. Hail damage that covers much of the roof and compromises (or may in the future compromise) the water-tightness of the roof is also severe.
These types of damage often cover a large portion of your roof and become a situation where the repair would be more costly than a replacement.
The Life of Your Roof Has Run Its Course
Not all roofs are created equal. Roofs made of single-ply membranes or metal tend to have extreme durability and long lifespans. Other options composed mostly of asphalt have shorter lifespans and require more regular replacements. No matter what roofing material your commercial property uses, you’ll need to replace it once its natural life has run its course.
Be sure to consider your roof’s age as soon as you consider replacing it. An excellent place to start is by examining your roof for cracks, breaks, and other issues with old age. We recommend replacing most commercial roofs with new materials once they’re older than 25 or 30 years.
If your roof is beginning to age, but you’d like to extend its usable years before replacing it, we can discuss whether an elastomeric coating would be a good option for your property.
More Than 10-15 Percent of Your Roof’s Insulation is Wet
Not only is wet insulation inefficient for your building, but it also presents several easy-to-miss risks that require replacing your roof. Make no mistake: wet insulation is just as bad for your property and its occupants as for your roof. More specifically, a roof with insulation over 10 to 15 percent wet typically requires a replacement.
Leakages in your roof can result in wet and saturated insulation. Wet insulation can physically burden your building, heighten the risk of warping, and ultimately lead to irreversible damage to your property’s structural integrity. With wet insulation comes excess moisture that slowly eats away at your roofing system and corrodes the fasteners that keep your roof in place.
Inside your building, you may notice mold or mildew growth from the persistent moisture, creating an unsafe working environment for your staff. If you suspect your insulation suffers, contact us for a No Obligation Roof Consultation.
Choose The Option That’s Right For You
Choosing between a repair or replacement for your business’s roof can feel daunting, but you’re not in this alone. Our roofing experts can perform a no obligation roof inspection and share images of your roof so you can see any existing issues. We’ll recommend a course of action that offers the best value and protection for what matters to you — the assets inside your building.
Signs That Your Roof Has a Leak