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A roof is very important to your business in Fort Worth, TX. It is the first line of protection that it has against the elements of nature. In places that have climates that produce harsh or mild winter weather, business managers and owners need to create a winter commercial roof maintenance program. Extreme weather conditions can cause a lot of damage to a lot of parts of the building and the roof, especially if the roof has not been maintained year round and been prepared for winter weather as well.
Having a maintenance plan for winter weather will help you determine what problems may arise as a result of thermal movement when it is cold outside. There can also be issues when ice accumulates on the roof on your commercial roofing in Fort Worth, TX. In an ideal situation, any roofing issues that your business may have would be fixed when its roof is dry instead of having to have a roofer come out and do an emergency repair. Emergency repairs typically require more than visit too. Regular maintenance and creating a maintenance plan for winter weather makes it less likely that the roof of your business will be harmed and that the inside of it will not be damaged due to water coming into the building through the roof.
Roof Inspections: Due to the fact that roofing in Fort Worth, TX are regularly exposed to the elements that are outside, it is necessary for a professional commercial roofing contractor to do inspections on a regular basis. The heat during the summer can crack the membranes on your commercial roofing especially in hot climates like Fort Worth, TX and heavy winds can cause wind uplift. This damage typically goes unnoticed until the cold weather hits in the winter when your roof may be damaged even further from the weight of snow or the accumulation of a lot of ice.
To lower the risks of leaks, or worse, a whole part of your commercial roofing collapsing, it is of vital importance for a professional commercial roofing professional to perform regular inspections on your roof. Commercial roofing experts recommend that your have your commercial roof inspected at least twice a year, once in the fall to get ready for winter and one in the spring to find and fix any damage that was caused during the winter months.
Every part of your commercial roofing needs to be inspected. These parts include the decking, insulation, any underlayment, the surface membrane, flashing, all of the roof vents, the drainage pipes, and the gutters. A failure at any time can cause damage to your roof. Membrane failures, like split seams, cracks, holes, buckles, and blisters are the problems that are usually found. However, out-of-place fasteners, defective flashing, clogged drainage systems, and rooftop debris can also cause damage to roofs when the weather is cold outside.
Roof Cleaning: After a layer of snow gets on your commercial roofing in Fort Worth, TX, it can bury access points making it very hard to get to the drains and gutters on your roof. For this reason, it is very important for you to have your roof inspected in the fall. When your home is getting this inspection done, it is essential to get rid of twigs, leaves, and debris that is covering the roof. It is also very important for equipment that is no longer used that can cause damage to your roof during times when it is very windy outside and to look around for loose parts that can also harm your home during times of high winds.
When debris and leaves gather in your commercial roofing gutter system, it will eventually cause it to clog up in the downspouts and rain water will overflow the gutters, causing harm to the roof and possibly even the outside of the building. The additional weight of wet leaves and water may also cause to separate from the anchor point and collapse.
To prevent these issues and unplanned repair costs, be sure to keep your gutters pretty clear during the fall months. After all the trees in your area are clear, that is a good time to do a thorough roof cleaning.
Snow and Ice Removal Plan: If your building is located in a location where ice and snow fall often, it is a good idea for you to create a roof snow and ice removal plan. Determine what areas that are likely to accumulate drifting snow and ice, and keep a close eye on them during the cold weather months.
Part of your commercial roofing safety plan should include removing snow off of your roof. If the snow is not removed off of your roof, it can melt during the day and freeze up again during the night. This is known as a freeze/thaw cycle. After this cycle happens, the snow will turn into layers of ice and become a lot harder to remove as well as weighing more than the snow that has recently fallen.
During the freeze/thaw cycle, ice has a tendency to form around the drains of your commercial roofing around the drains of your roof and make it impossible for your drains to drain as they should. This is a serious not only because it adds a lot of weight to your roof, but also because as the ice and snow melts, water can slowly steep into the cracks and crevices in the roofing membrane and then freeze up. When it freezes up, it will expand the openings which will cause extra damages and expensive repairs. It is a good idea to have your roof checked on regularly to ensure that any melting snow and ice is draining as it should and not pounding on the surface of your commercial roofing.
If you use these tips and ideas and have your professional roofer maintain and upkeep your roof, then you will not have to be concerned about the safety and well being of your commercial roof during the winter months and enjoy the cold weather and holidays without worrying about how it will survive the cold weather.
