Prep Your Commercial Roof for Winter

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If your commercial roofing in Salem isn’t ready for winter, now is the time to inspect and make repairs.

Is your commercial roofing in Salem ready for a visit from Old Man Winter? Hopefully in the last few months you’ve had a professional inspection to ensure it’s in good shape to withstand the coming cold. If not, there is still time to contact a Salem roofer to get this done, but time is running out. It’s important to correct defects and get the roof winterized before it gets too cold.

Risks increase with cold temperatures, so though maintenance is important in any season, it’s especially vital when winter comes around. One of the biggest risks for roof damage comes from failing to find and repair existing deficiencies. Issues to look for include defects in flashing, sealant failure, splits in the membrane, and deterioration. Attention from a professional Salem roofing contractor now will save time and headache down the road.

If you have a membrane roof that is near the end of its useful life, it may be brittle, more prone to leaks, and overall less sound. Heading into the winter with such an old, patched roof is a gamble. Having a roofing contractor apply a roof coating now could extend the useful life and help protect it from weather damage. Coating may also be helpful for aging metal roofs. Not all flat roofs can benefit from coating, but if yours can, it is a cost-effective protection method. A commercial roofing specialist will inspect the roof, replace any wet insulation, and repair damaged flashing and other problems prior to applying the coating. There are some maintenance projects you can take on by yourself, but this is not one of them; using an incompatible coating or misapplying the product may create more problems than it solves. Curing time may be longer in colder weather, but new technology permits the application of several types of coatings at low temperatures.

Do you have a snow removal plan? Excessive buildup of snow on your commercial roof is a hazard, and in extreme cases, it can lead to roof collapse. Fresh snow can add 20 pounds of weight per cubic foot. Wet snow, or partially thawed and refrozen snow, can be even heavier, adding as much as 60 pounds of weight per cubic foot. Even if your roof was designed to withstand additional weight, it is best to have snow promptly removed. To prevent damage and reduce the risk of injuring employees, this should also be left to a Salem roofing contractor.

Slate & Slate Roofing is your go-to Salem roofing company for pre-winter inspections and all your repair and maintenance needs. If you have concerns or questions about your commercial (or residential) roof, contact us and let us give you an estimate.

Written by
Terry Slate
Terry is the Vice President of Slate & Slate Roofing and has over 28 years of experience with both residential and commercial roofing. He specializes in metal roofing, composition roofing, and PVC membrane roofing.