Roof Leak Action Plan [Infographic]

 

The worst time to realize that you need a roof repair is during a rainstorm…but it happens. In the morning, everything will be fine but that afternoon shower could bring a stream of water into your commercial or industrial facility.

Don’t Panic!

Over the past 40 years, our team of roofing experts has seen this happen more than we can count. But if you are prepared and maintain the leak, you can prevent further damage to your facility and the property inside.

That’s why we put together this action plan for when you find a leak in your commercial, industrial or manufacturing facility.

 

SIGNS OF A LEAKING COMMERCIAL ROOF

Stained Ceiling/Walls

Whether you have ceiling tiles or other types of ceiling systems in your facility, extended exposure to water will create a discolored area of your ceiling. If the leak is near a wall, the water stains could run down the corresponding wall, if this is the case, there could also be water damage within the wall.

 

Odor/ Mold

Warehouse Roof Leak

A foul smell in your facility could be a red flag for hidden mold. Mold grows in moist environments, so if water is constantly entering your building, there is a high chance that mold could grow and spread. A mold problem in your commercial facility should not be taken lightly as it could cause illness.

Read More: Mold Remediation in Commercial Buildings Guide from the EPA

 

Water Dripping/Puddles Inside

The most sure fire sign of a commercial roof leak is when you can visibly see water entering your building, whether it is a puddle on the floor or dripping above your head. This type of leak could cause damage to not only your roof and building structure, but it could damage equipment and other items inside the building as well.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR COMMERCIAL ROOF IS LEAKING

No matter how you treat a commercial roof leak, it’s important to remedy the problem before it grows. Even the smallest leak can cause serious problems if not treated. Water getting through your roofing system can cause considerable damage to your building from mold to structural damage.

If you are looking for maintenance, repair or replacement for your facilities roof, fill out our quote form for your free no-obligation commercial roof quote from our team of experts.

 

Post Source Here: Roof Leak Action Plan [Infographic]

How to Restore a Commercial Metal Roof

 

A metal roof can be an excellent option for your commercial building: durability, a variety of designs available and cost-effective. But that metal roof can go through wear and tear leading to problems for your facility.

With proper maintenance, your metal roof system can last a long time. And with a timely metal roof restoration, you can save a lot of money and prolong the life of your roof. In this article, we will cover the basics of commercial metal roofing, how you can restore your metal roof and the benefits of a newly restored metal roof system.

 

About Commercial Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing is one of the oldest commercial roofing systems on the market. Most metal roofing systems use corrugated galvanized steel, although other materials such as aluminum or tin can also be used. After a metal roofing system is installed, a coating can be added for waterproofing, rust protection, and UV protection.

For an average commercial roof, it will usually cost between $5.00 and $10.00 per square foot in materials and labor to install a typical metal roofing system. This price range can change depending on the type and style of the metal panels you choose.

There are a few types of insulation options available:

• Roofing Felt
• Fiberglass
• Rigid Board
• Bubble Insulation
• Spray Foam

 

Metal Roofing Problems

While metal roofing systems can have a long lifespan, this can only be obtained if the roof is adequately maintained over the years. This includes a coating to avoid rust along with proactively replacing and re-fastening damaged panels.

Here are other problems you can face with metal roofing systems:

• Water Damage – If water ponds on the roof it can cause severe damage, such as rust.
• Full Replacement – The substrate, or frame, is often cumbersome and difficult to work with. They require a complete tear off in almost every replacement instance.
• Seams – The metal panels create seams that are prone to water leaks.
• Durability – Since the metal panels are attached to the substrate, if they are not installed correctly, they can become loose when they expand and contract.
• Noise – Weather such as rain, hail or wind can create a lot of noise against the metal material.

 

Is Your Commercial Metal Roof Eligible for Restoration?

With any commercial roof restoration, the eligibility is determined on the condition of the existing roof system. If your existing metal roof is severely damaged, then restoration may not help your problems or even be possible.

The best way to find out if your facility is eligible for a spray on roof coating, you should schedule a contractor to evaluate your existing roof system. They will be able to recommend the best solution for your facility needs.

For an existing roof system to be eligible for a roof restoration, the roof needs to be in better condition than most roofs at the end of their serviceable life. Some signs of a roof in good condition include:

• The seams of the existing membrane are relatively intact
• The field of the roof has been adequately maintained over its life
• Less than 25% of the underlined substrate and insulation is wet (It is still cost-effective to do spot replacement of small saturated areas rather than a complete replacement.)

 

How to Restore a Metal Roof

A Silicone Restoration Membrane (SRM) is a silicone coating applied directly onto an existing roof. The silicone can be sprayed or roller-applied right onto your metal roof system.

Read More: Silicone Restoration Membrane: Installation and Performanc

The process of installing a silicone restoration membrane is relatively straightforward:

1. Inspection and Repairs
2. Seam Reinforcement
3. Silicone Application
4. Warranty

If your commercial flat roof is in good working condition, you can install a silicone restoration membrane to extend the life of your roof and renew your warranty. But how much does it cost?

For an average 20,000 sq. foot commercial roof, it will usually cost between $2.00 and $3.50 per square foot in materials and labor to install a typical Silicone Restoration Membrane System.

 

Benefits of a Metal Roof Restoration

[caption id="attachment_26728" align="alignright" width="300"] White vs Black Commercial Roofs[/caption]

A silicone restoration membrane can save your business money on time, material and labor costs. In addition to the cost-savings, there are a few other cool benefits to a metal roof restoration:

 

Cool Roof Savings

Silicone roof coatings are often referred to as “cool roofs” due to their ability to keep facilities cool. The bright white color reflects UV rays, saving buildings up to 35% in energy costs from not needing as much air conditioning to keep the facilities cool. Utilizing a bright white coating application reduces energy costs as part of the energy star cool roof solution.

 

New Warranty

A silicone restoration membrane, when installed correctly by a reputable contractor, comes with a warranty that can cover up to 15 years.

 

Renewed Protection

The silicone restoration membrane will add a new waterproof layer to your metal roof system. When properly maintained, this layer will prevent leaks into your building and protect your metal system from UV rays.

 

Read More: Gorilla Glue Case Study: Reviving the 25 Acre Roof

Silicone Restoration Membranes are an eco-friendly, cost-effective, alternative to replacing your commercial roofing facility.

Choosing West Roofing Systems as a turnkey roofing company will provide you with highly trained teams and award-winning service. Our services are flexible and diverse; we can recoat, repair or replace your facility’s roof so that it lasts decades.

 

Original Post Here: How to Restore a Commercial Metal Roof

Your Top 10 Questions About Spray Foam Answered

 

Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing, or spray foam roofing, is a material that is sprayed as a liquid so it can expand into a foam, creating a solid layer across an existing roof. Spray foam roofing can be used to solve your commercial building’s toughest challenges, inside and out.

If you frequent our blog, you know that West Roofing Systems is the expert in Spray Foam Roof installation. We’ve installed over 57,700,000 sq. feet of roofing domestically and internationally and during that time we helped business owners protect their facilities with spray foam.

In this article, we cover the top ten questions you have about spray foam roofing.

 

Can you walk on an SPF roof system?

Yes, when an SPF roof is installed and completed, you can walk across the roof with no problems. If you have high traffic areas (around HVAC equipment, etc.) more durable walkways can be installed.

 

How tough/durable is an SPF Roof System?

SPF roof systems are very durable. They can withstand 40 pounds of compression per square foot. When properly maintained, it can last decades.

 

How long has SPF been around for roofing? Why haven't I heard of it before?

While SPF roofing is not the most known type of roofing material, the technology has been around since the early 1960s for industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. SPF roofing performs the best when applied by reputable, certified contractors.

Read More: 3 Unique Ways To Use Spray Foam For Your Commercial Building

 

How do you control the thickness of the foam?

When you spray foam on a roof surface, it rises 32 times in thickness. You can control the texture of the foam with heat and cold in the roof deck and material. A skilled SPF installer will be able to accurately spray foam to the correct thickness and taper.

Read More: Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Roofing Contractor Qualifications

 

How do you keep the foam surface smooth rather than lumpy or wavy?

An experienced and skilled foam applicator can use the proper spray pattern to ensure proper installation. Installing a spray foam roof is always a custom roof made to fit your building.

Read More: Spray Foam Roofing Installation [Infographic]

 

Can I really have SPF sprayed over my existing roof?

If you have one roof system on your building, and that system is in stable condition, then you can have SPF sprayed on top of your existing roof system. The foam adhered to the existing surface to form a seamless membrane. A technical rep will be able to assess your roof and tell you if you are able to avoid a roof tear off.

Read More: Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Roofing: Installation & Performance

 

What happens if something cuts or punctures the foam?

Because the thickness of the form can vary from 1 inch to multiple inches, it is more difficult to cut through the entire membrane. If there is a puncture to an SPF system, it can be sealed with caulk, silicone or another roofing material.

 

What do I do with an SPF roof when it needs to be replaced?

When your SPF roof is aged, you have a few options to protect your facility:

• You can have the SPF removed through scarification. Then a layer of foam can be sprayed and coated.
• If your roof is still in good condition, you can restore your roof with a silicone restoration membrane.

 

Read More: Spray On Roof Coating Restoration: What Is It And Do You Need It?

 

How does the R-value of SPF compare to systems with insulation?

An SPF roof system is on average a 7 R-value for insulation. Foam insulation boards can be installed with the same R-value (although rare). The most important aspect with insulation is that SPF roofing does not have seams in the insulation, those seams are the main areas to lose heat and cold from inside the building.

Read More: What Is R-Value And Why Is It Important For Commercial Roofing?

 

Is SPF sustainable or eco-friendly?

SPF roofs create little to no waste during its lifetime. In most cases, there is minimal stripping of the original roof, and the SPF roof is installed on top – eliminating the need for costly roof tear-offs and waste.

The materials that are used for SPF roofing systems are also environmentally friendly:

• Zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP)
• Low in the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Free from Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Ultra-Low Global Warming Potential (GWP)

 

Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing Systems are becoming the go-to roofing for commercial, industrial, and even residential facilities that are looking for a long-lasting, economically efficient option. From installation and throughout your warranty, the savings of your new SPF can pay off the roof system and save you money down the road.

Original Post Here: Your Top 10 Questions About Spray Foam Answered