Commercial Roof Damage to Look For After a Storm

Wind often causes commercial roof damage after a storm. Sometimes, you won’t notice this destruction until you inspect the roofing materials. Beware of these possible problems occurring after violent windstorms.

Flashing Damage

Flashing stops leaks where roof slopes and joints meet. Any place where a skylight, vent or chimney joins a roof would leak without flashing in place. Harsh winds, rains, cyclones or hurricanes can degrade the flashing. If you notice dripping, puddles or leaking from your ceiling, the problem might have started from the rooftop.

Blow-Offs

Harsh winds sometimes cause drastic pressure changes. Circular gusts of air sometimes put a strain on shingles and rooftop layers, causing a commercial roof to loosen. Strong currents often move through open or cracked windows. This pressure can cause an entire roof to blow off.

Curling

Wind might not blow off an entire roof. However, it does sometimes weaken the adhesive, especially at the corners and edges. This might happen if your commercial roof deck has a layer of asphalt covering it. However, it also might happen when the wind loosens the fasteners. Moisture makes its way to inner layers. This results in mold growth, leaks, water damage and more.

Gutter Debris Accumulation

Violent winds could blow off the gutter guards that prevent debris accumulation. As a result, leaves, bugs, nests and litter stay on top of your building. Then, water cannot flow down the eve troughs that send water to the ground. This standing water weighs down the commercial roof structure and weakens it. The debris also can cause a roof to reach its maximum load capacity, and this may result in bowing or caving of roofing sections.

Moisture Damage

Heavy rains accompanying powerful winds can damage roofing surfaces. This happens when standing water sits too long and mold starts to grow. It also occurs when downpours mixed with hail beat too hard on the roof, frames, vents and structure. Harsh elements poke, tear and pull at the materials. Eventually, winds and moisture cause leaking or flooding.

Deck Destruction

Strong enough winds can strip away weatherproofing and treatment layers. This turbulence exposes the plywood, groove tongue or other deck material. It sometimes happens gradually after several thunderstorms. However, all it would take sometimes is one tornado or hurricane to destroy the roof deck. Forceful rain also can cause roofing insulation to disintegrate.

Roof Repairs Needed After Storm Damage

Sometimes, a commercial roof might need resealing, or a contractor might have to replace sections. Usually, the whole roof doesn’t need replacement unless the entire deck has blown off after a natural disaster.

If you’re not sure what roof repairs you need, first contact Rosie’s Roofing and Restoration to schedule an inspection.