TIPS ON COMMERCIAL ROOFING EVALUATIONS – There are a number of roofing systems used in commercial structures today with many variations in how these roofing systems are installed. Commercial roofing requires a certain level of expertise particularly where insurance evaluations are concerned. In order to ensure that you have the proper roofing on your commercial building, it becomes important to understand the various types of roofing systems and what elements can affect those roofs.
There are three very common commercial roofing systems used. These include modified bitumen, built-up and single-ply roofing systems. Understanding these roofing systems is important in being able to properly evaluate roofs. It is also important to understand how the roofing system is attached to the structure as well as the constituents of the system. Knowing what can damage roofing systems is important as well.
- Hail – Hail damage is not uncommon for roofs and the direction that hail falls can often be determined by checking the features of the structure both on and off of the roof. Hail normally leaves spatter marks, particularly on surfaces that are oxidized. It will leave dents in metal so flashing, air conditioning fins and vents could be damaged. Roofing surfaces that are exposed to the predominant fall direction of hail will show damage first and the damage shown is often the worst.
- If a roofing system is installed over a softer substrate it is more prone to be damaged by a hail storm than a system that has been installed over a stiffer substrate. Stiffer substrates offer much more resistance to damage.
- In order to check for hail damage on a built-up or modified bitumen roofing system, you may need to remove the roofing core which should then be transported to a lab. Samples are evaluated in the lab and checked for tears or strains that are characteristic of such an impact.
- Wind damage can occur often as well and normally the most severe damage from heavy winds will occur at the roof’s edges and the windward corners.
- When examining roofing for wind damage it is important that you check for tears or wrinkles. Premature roofing system failure can often occur because of inadequate roof fasteners or adhesion.
Roofing evaluations require looking at not only the roof itself but the attachments and the overall performance of those attachments and how well they hold up to elements that can cause roofing damage.
This article is provided by Fascia Expert UK, online retailers of gutters and downpipes and other roofline products.
