Everything You Need To Know About Low-Slope Commercial Roofs In Tomball, Texas
Everything You Need To Know About Low-Slope
Commercial Roofs In Tomball, Texas
From Material To Methods To Maintenance,
Every Low-Slope Roof Is Unique
If you own a larger business in the Tomball, Texas, area, you likely have a low-slope commercial roof. Low-slope roofs are efficient, tidy, and a great spot to place essential machinery out of the way.
Beyond those few facts, it’s the rare business owner who knows much more about their roof.
Luckily, we’re here to fill those knowledge gaps and to help you keep your low-slope commercial roof functioning properly for years to come.
Low-Slope Roofing Materials And Methods
Two major types of commercial low-slope roofing materials are commonly used throughout Tomball and the Greater Houston area. Which one is best for your needs depends on your goals and, to a smaller extent, your budget. There are also coating options to extend the life of your existing roof.
Standing Seam Metal Low-Slope Roofs
Standing seam metal roofing has gained popularity as a residential roofing material, but it’s also been a reliable commercial roofing product since 1960. With new coating technologies and a wide array of color options, standing seam metal roofs can last up to 70 years and look stunning in the bargain.
Installation on low-slope commercial roofing systems is quick. These systems come in large panels that attach easily to one another for a clean, upscale look.
TPO Commercial Low-Slope Roofing
TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin. This durable membrane, often white in color, offers superior leak protection with the added benefit of reflecting the sun’s heat away from your building. TPO is lightweight, and each seam is welded shut, creating a single-piece roofing material.
This welding technique gives your new low-slope commercial roof a cost-effective and reliable resistance to leaking that lasts up to 30 years.
Warning Signs That You May Need A
New Commercial Low-Slope Roof
Let’s be honest – you’ve likely never spent more than a few minutes on your commercial roof, and that’s OK. From a roofer’s perspective, the fewer non-professional footsteps on any roof, the better.
But you still need to know how to spot problems with your roof. Key signs that you may have a damaged low-slope roof include the following:
- Musty odors within your commercial property that have no definable source
- Steadily increasing energy bills for no discernable reason
- Sagging areas along the surface of your roof
- Water spots on floors, ceilings, or walls
If you experience any of these issues, you should get a professional commercial roofer to inspect your roof immediately. It takes time for roofing system issues to create visible indications of trouble, so it’s likely you’ve needed help for far longer than you realize.
Professional Roof Inspections – A Must
For Low-Slope Commercial Roofing
The biggest expense when you have a commercial roofing failure has nothing to do with your roof – it’s the lost production. A failed low-slope commercial roof is more than just an annoyance.
The potential for falling debris and water on the floor creates a dangerous situation that prevents you from using parts or, potentially, any of your property for work or storage.
And it doesn’t take much to start the process. Piles of leaves can cause puddling, decreasing the material’s durability in that area. Hail strikes can damage flashing around vents. When left alone to fester, these small events can turn into a total roof failure.
But if you keep to a regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance protocol for your low-slope commercial roof, you’ll never have to deal with such troubles (barring storm damage).
You should also have your commercial roof inspected after any of the following occurrences:
- Severe Weather – Removing storm debris and spotting and repairing minor damage can save you from major expenses in the near future.
- HVAC Maintenance – If your HVAC system sits on your low-slope commercial roof, repair technicians will need to access and walk on your roof. They may not even notice that they’ve damaged your roof, leaving you with a potential catastrophe when they leave.
- Newly Installed Heavy Machinery – If you have new machinery installed on your roof, the chance that the workers damaged your roofing material is high. From dropping sharp tools to dragging pallets with multi-hundred-pound machines on them, most installers think commercial roofs are impossible to harm.
- Plumbing Work Involving Roof Penetrations – Plumbing systems require vents that penetrate your roofing system. Plumbers tend to be pretty bad roofers, so when they place flashing or covers over their vent pipes, it usually isn’t the best work.
Simply put, if anyone who is not a roofer steps onto your commercial roof, you need to have it inspected. And the more tools they bring with them, the faster you need to make that call to your favorite commercial roofing contractor in the Greater Houston area.
If you operate or own a commercial building with a low-slope roof in the Tomball, Texas, area and want help from the best in the industry, contact us at Houston Roofing and Construction for a free estimate.