If you are a commercial building owner, you likely face unique property issues. Among all of the things that you deal with day-to-day, you may not have much time to think about your commercial roof. Roof neglect can cause a number of problems for commercial property owners. The most significant consequence that a property owner could face is property damage or loss. One of your best defenses against this kind of mishap is to ensure that you get routine roofing inspections. The following points represent roofing issues that commercial owners face. 

Ice Dams

Dams represent areas of a commercial roof where precipitation has frozen. They are commonly associated with areas that have leaks or are at risk for developing leaks. The dangers of ice dams are that the areas may thaw and refreeze, which can wreak havoc on commercial roofs. Sometimes their formation is related to poor insulation or ventilation. 

Membrane Punctures

Care should be taken when allowing anyone other than a licensed roofer to go on top of your building. Access to the rooftop should not be something that is permitted. Commercial roofs are durable, but it is possible to damage the materials. Walking on the roof can damage the materials. The damages may not be immediately evident, and this can compromise the entire roofing system because damaged roofing materials may permit moisture intrusion. This is especially true if you have a single-ply roofing system because it is not as structurally sound. 

Overlooked Replacement

The thought of getting a new commercial roof is not something that some property owners want to think about. After all, it is an added expense that some property owners are not prepared for. The issue with putting off a new roofing project is that the existing roof will continue to deteriorate, and eventually, it will not be able to protect your property. There is an increased chance of leaks and other mishaps such as a roof collapse. 

Shrinkage

This is an issue that will affect almost all commercial properties. It is something that no one has control over. Shrinkage of materials is the result of fluctuating temperatures. The materials expand and contract between hot and cold temperatures. The best thing that can be done about this issue is to get routine inspections because the damages can extend beyond the roof and cause other structural damages. Broken joists are one potential outcome of shrinkage.

A commercial roofer is a good resource to use to understand more about roof maintenance. They can create a roofing inspection and maintenance schedule for your property. This will reduce the chances of you forgetting when this important task needs to get completed. For more information about maintaining commercial roofing, reach out to a local roofer.