The recurring fluctuations in temperature between frigid to balmy can cause real damage to your commercial flat roof. River rock on flat roofs expands and contracts as a result of this swing in temperature which can result in the rock breaking apart leaving sharp edges. In turn, the sharp edges can puncture the roof if it is stepped on.

The most common commercial flat roof problem is built up ice. This can cause damage to your flat roof. The snow falls on your flat roof. The snow falls on your flat roof, while warm air is rising from your flat roof. The result is snow melts then freezes. This is a cyclical pattern that happens over and over again throughout the winter. After a while, this cycle of melting and freezing leads to large ice build ups. To make matters worse, you don’t see this because they are out of sight, on top of your flat roof.

Lastly, winter water buildup can cause scuppers and gutter problems. During thawing events the scuppers and gutters will fill with water then during the freezing events the water will turn to ice. If it is a sudden change in temps the scuppers and gutters could bulge and split.

The key to these three problems is prevention. As snow piles up and ice begin to form on commercial roofing, it may be time to hire a roofing professional to remove some of the weight of snow. Climbing on snowy or icy roofs is dangerous work. Snow removal should only be done by professional who is properly equipped.

Scuppers and gutters can become clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris, in the fall. This impedes the normal drainage process. This makes the structure more susceptible to water damage. The less leaf, twig and debris buildup, the more likely your scupper and gutter system can handle snow runoff rather than allowing moisture to pool. Clean your scupper and gutters twice a year to get the most out of them; once in the fall and once in the spring.

To avoid major problems, have the roof inspected and maintained every year. It is a good idea to have a yearly inspection and log the progress of your building. This way you can detect problems when they are small instead of a large repair or even an entire roof replacement.

Trust Stinson Services to maintain your commercial flat roof. Whether it is annual monitoring of your roof or bi-annual cleaning of the gutters, Stinson Services is there to help, 952-933-4510.