Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Roof Replacement in Cambridge and Southwestern Ontario

Roof maintenance is often forgotten or ignored until a leak appears or your insurance company lets you know that your roof needs replacing. Some owners believe roofs last as long as the manufacturer says they are designed for, and when it gets close to that time, you should check your roof to see if it needs replacing. Others know that, in reality, it is a roof maintenance plan that allows the roof to last as long as it is designed to. In addition, roofers know that weather and building location can impact the roof's life and that inspections are the key to the longevity of your roof. Lack of roof inspections and maintenance can equal early roof replacement and create additional expenses for owners. 

The biggest cause of premature roof failure is the inability to locate and correct minor problems; the lower the roof slope, the greater the impact. Insufficient ventilation can markedly decrease the life of the roof. Also, ventilation will not solve the problem of water leaking into the attic or building. 

The heat on the roof expands and contracts the metal, and before long, the bonding membrane develops cracks and/or separates from the base material, where leaking occurs. While easy to repair, these problems are often overlooked. Yearly inspections can spot this problem. 

The type of roofing material dictates the product's life; the less organic the material, the longer the life. Hail, air pollution, and a salt-laden atmosphere can damage roofs. The most significant factor in prolonging a roof's life is adequate fastening of the roofing material to the deck and perimeter. High winds loosen the roofing materials, and no roof can withstand extreme winds and flying debris. 

Out of sight, out of mind. Often, the first indicator of a roof issue is water damage. This is particularly true for flat roofs, where it is easy to forget to check drains or to clean off plant residue and garbage from the roof when it is not easily seen. 

Water collecting on a roof can magnify UV rays and decrease the roof's life, particularly for BUR and bituminous-based roofs. Root-top units without proper drainage can compound the problem. 

The function of flashing is to provide a watertight connection between the roof and projections. Many early roof leaks result from flashing problems, and prompt repair will extend the roof's life. Roof drains remove water as quickly as possible and should be inspected frequently for blockages. 

This slope-to-flat roof transition will fail prematurely due to the material's expansion and contraction at the change in deck direction, causing membrane splits. In addition, incompatible roof materials, poor drainage, sagging structures, and roof-on-roof designs can all contribute to premature roof failure. 

Over time, wind, rain, and snow can reduce the amount and effectiveness of gravel on roofs. With less protection, the membrane can dry out faster, causing cracking and blistering. This allows air to get trapped under the membrane, heated by the sun and stretched permanently. The adhesive can begin to release and leak through the membrane. Now, water can penetrate and cause leaking.