Snow, ice, and low
temperatures, and other winter effects send most facility managers indoors to
focus on maintaining a comfortable interior climate. You probably have no
intention of going up on a roof while your community is locked in winter’s
grip. But snow, ice, and thermal shock aren’t taking a break. Commercial
buildings with flat roofs are at increased risk because of their wide spans and
low slopes. Winter is not the time to forget about your roofs. The last thing
you want is a tenant forming a bucket brigade inside your building or
presenting a bill for damaged merchandise.
Freeze/Thaw Cycle
Today’s
commercial roofing systems are better than ever at defending against winter’s
onslaughts, but snow and ice, accompanied by partial thawing and refreezing,
can wreak havoc on a roof, especially if the roof is nearing the end of its
life cycle. While ice is a formidable enemy anywhere on the roof, areas of
special concern include drains, downspouts, tie-ins, flashings, seams and areas
where accumulation can occur. With repeated freeze thaw cycles, the risk of
damage to the roof increases. When water seeps into a crack and freezes, it
expands the crack, leading to leaks.
Thermal Shock
Some types of
roofing systems are prone to damage from repeated temperature extremes. Thermal
shock occurs when daytime highs warm the roof’s surface, followed by night time
temperatures that dip below freezing. Older roof membranes eventually lose
their tensile strength and their ability to expand and contract without deterioration.
Best Practice
You will get the
longest life out of your roof by having regular inspections, making repairs and
scheduling routine maintenance. No roof will last forever, but with
professional care, many roofs outlast their original anticipated life spans.
Brown Roofing can assess your roof’s cold-weather risk and help you formulate a
plan that will extend the life of your roof.
Call us
today at 256-238-8859 or visit our web site at www.brownroofingco.net to schedule an inspection.
