When it comes to the roof on your commercial building, every season brings its challenges. Your roof has made it through winter snow, ice, and spring storms. Did you know record-breaking heat, can cause serious problems to your roof system?
It’s important to perform self-inspections during the summer. Better yet, have a professional roofing company evaluate it, especially after the heat wave we’ve been having.
There are 5 things to look for on a roof when the thermometer soars into the 90°F :
Let’s go over them in details.
1. Thermal Shock
On extremely hot days, roof temperatures can reach dangerous levels of 160 – 180º. When the sun goes down, the roof temperature rapidly decreases, creating a differential called thermal shock. This huge temperature swing causes expansion and contraction of roofing materials and can cause the roof to warp, crack, or develop gaps.
2. Sun Damage
In the same way that UV rays can damage your skin, it can also damage your roof over time. The sun will degrade roofing materials, especially if they are not treated or coated properly. Wood and asphalt shingles are especially vulnerable to UV damage.
3. Drying
Intense heat can, over time, dry out the oils in some roofing materials causing them to become brittle and crack. The cracking can lead to the degrading of the structural integrity of the roof or waterproofing materials, leading to leaks.
4. High Humidity
One of the biggest risks for commercial roofs is the combination of high heat and high humility, which is the definition of Lancaster County summer weather. When a roof has expanded due to high heat, it can absorb additional moisture. These water patches can cause leaks and, if not addressed, can eventually lead to roof collapses.
5. Popped Seams and Loose Screws
The combination of all of all the stress factors of high heat, harsh UV rays, and an expansion and contraction of the roof surface can lead to popped roof seams and loose screws. Areas like skylights and vents are prime spots for this type of damage. This is a common cause of leaking, especially on large, flat commercial-style roofs.
The key to protecting your roof from severe summer heat is to schedule ongoing roof maintenance and evaluate the vulnerability of your roof.
Call Kautz Construction today at 717-290-7077 to schedule your complimentary roofing inspection!