3 Quick Tips for Preventing Commercial Roof Leaks Caused by Winter Weather
Commercial roof leaks can be extremely damaging. They can be expensive to repair, they can cause damage to things inside your building and they can even bring business operations to a halt. A roof leak during the winter is not an issue you want to have – the good thing is most are preventable.
A little effort invested to prevent a leak from happening can pay off significantly by preventing costly leak repairs in the future. This is why we stress to our clients about the importance of being proactive and investing in preventative maintenance. It will save you money and the hassle of roofing issues over the long term. Plus you’ll have peace of mind knowing your roof is unlikely to sprout a leak.
Here are three quick tips for preventing commercial roof leaks caused by winter weather:
Get a roof inspection prior to winter
We cannot stress this enough. Being proactive about your commercial roof is so important to prevent leaks and other issues. Getting your roof inspected by a professional before winter allows for a thorough review of your roof structure. If a potential issue or source for a leak is identified, it can be addressed before a leak can occur during the winter. This will prevent to potential damage that could occur once the weather gets cold.
Check on your roof regularly
Stressing the importance of being proactive, it’s important to keep an eye on your roof over the winter. Make sure to check your roof regularly to ensure everything is as it should be. Make sure eaves and drainage are clear of obstructions, there is not excessive ice build-up and no new damage has appeared. All it takes is one big winter storm to cause damage to your roof and create a new source for water to get inside your roof and create a leak.
Remove excessive snow and ice
Snow and ice can build up, especially if your area receives a lot of snow in a short period of time. This extra weight will place additional stress on your roof. It could also cause damage and make it more likely for a leak to occur, especially if the water cannot be properly drained. Remove the excessive snow and ice offer your roof, eaves, and downspouts. This will remove the stress off your roof and reduce the odds of a leak developing.
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5 Common Commercial Roof Problems Caused by Winter Weather
There is no doubt the winter season puts your commercial roof to the test. The chilling temperatures, the wind, debris, and weight of the snow and ice can create many potential roofing problems.
In this post, we’ll address some of the most common commercial roof problems caused by winter weather so you are aware of them and know what to look for this winter.
Damage from tree branches
Tree branches can cause lots of damage. It’s common for branches to fall during winter storms. The combination of strong windows and trees close to your building can be a recipe for disaster. Make sure you trim trees that are close to your building to reduce the odds of branches falling on your roof during winter storms.
Ice dams
This is common. It’s an issue that can arise on all types of commercial roofs. It is the result of ice and water build up on the roof, especially during times of the year where the temperature yo-yo’s above and below freezing. They can cause serious water damage, often leading to water leaking into your building. Good ventilation and attic insulation are the main options to help prevent ice dams from developing.
Cracked or damaged flashing
This is a common issue for sloped commercial roofs. Winter storms and wind can cause flashing to crack, bend, and move out of place. This creates a seam for water to get under the surface of your roofing materials, and potentially creating water damage issued inside your building. You can prevent this by inspecting your flashing regularly.
Condensation
Condensation happens when the cool air and warm air come in contact. In terms of your commercial roof, this often happens when you have poor insulation. This can lead to mold issues inside your building and damage to the exterior structure on the roof. Make sure your roof has proper ventilation and insulation to reduce the chance of having condensation issues.
Icicles
Icicles form in a similar way to ice dams. However, they tend to create issues in your gutters and downspouts. They can become extremely heavy and place a lot of pressure on your gutters, sometimes causing them to break. Icicles can also be an injury or damage hazard to anyone or anything that is directly below them. To prevent them from forming, make sure you clear your eaves and gutters from debris prior to winter to clear the path for water to escape.
While some of these issues are not avoidable – you can’t control the weather, taking steps to be proactive with roof maintenance and get your roof ready for winter can help minimize the impact of these common problems.
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5 Tips for Keeping Your Commercial Roof Sealed throughout the Winter Freeze
With winter on the way it’s very important to take steps now to ensure your roof is ready to handle the winter freeze. Here are 5 tips to prepare your commercial roof for winter:
Preventative maintenance
The more you can do ahead of time, the better. Preventative commercial roofing maintenance is a key factor in extending the lifespan of your roof. It also helps you identify issues that need to be address now and other issues that you need to key an eye on. A simple maintenance appointment by a professional can ensure your roof is prepared for winter and helps you avoid a costly roof repair bill in the middle of the winter.
Learn more about the importance of preventative maintenance for commercial roofs.
Eliminate pooling areas
The pooling of water is a common site on commercial roofs, especially flat roofs. This can happen for many reasons, including low spots in the roof, sinking of the roofing structure, poor drainage, and other reasons. If water is allowed to pool and is not drained properly, it can create many problems, including getting underneath the roof surface. If you notice pooling, contact a roofing professional to have the issue addressed before winter. Water will freeze and can create ice dams and other water damage issues.
Seal all seams and access points
There are many areas of your roof that can be a potential source for roof leaks. It’s very important to inspect these areas each year prior to winter. An area such as seams, vents, around chimneys, skylights, and any other part of the roof that has seams is a potential access point for water. Make sure these areas are properly sealed using the right process and materials.
Insulate the roof
When was the last time the insulation under your commercial roof was checked? Many companies overlook this important aspect of their roof. It’s a great barrier against the cold winter weather. Insulation helps to create an additional barrier against outdoor elements, preventing water from freezing on the inside of the roof. Plus, if heat can escape via your roof, it can melt the snow, creating moisture and water that will freeze, creating ice dams.
Professional pre-winter roof inspection
Your best course of action is to hire a professional for a pre-winter roof inspection. Professionals know the warning signs and things to look for. Plus, it will give you peace of mind in knowing the state of your roof before winter. You will also have time to address issues that can help you seal your commercial roof and protect it against the winter freeze.
If you are looking to have your commercial roof inspected before winter, contact us today! Request a free quote anytime.
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5 Things You Can Do to Prepare Your Commercial or Industrial Roof for the Winter Season
One of the most important areas of any commercial or industrial building is the roof. The roof is one of the largest and impactful structures. It’s also one companies tend to overlook because it’s out of sight, and many companies wait for issues to arise before addressing roofing issues. This is not an ideal approach.
However, you can save your company time, money, and the headache of preventable commercial roofing issues by winterizing your roof before the snow and freezing temperatures arrive. Regular roof maintenance can go a long way to preserving your roof and limiting roofing issues.
Here are 5 effective steps you can take to prepare your commercial or industrial roof for the upcoming winter season:
Roof Inspection
It is recommended that all companies have their commercial building roofs inspected on a regular basis by a professional. Ideally, you will have it inspected in the fall and again in the spring, after winter. Having your roof inspected before the winter season allows you to not only assess the state of your roof, but also repair issues and replace your roof if necessary.
Inferred Roof Scan
Sometimes issues exist that cannot be seen by the naked eye. There can be a lot going on under the top surface of your roof. This is why it’s recommended to conduct a thermal scan on your roof. The scan allows you to see the areas where energy and water leaks exist. Addressing these issues before winter will strengthen your roof and improve efficiency.
Roof Repair
Depending on the age and state of your roof, a roof repair may be in order. If your roof is in need of repairs, even minor repairs, it’s important to do so before winter. The winter weather and freezing conditions can create additional and more expensive issues. A minor repair can turn into a major repair over the winter months.
Roof Replacement
We know you want to get the most out of your roof. A replacement is an expensive investment. But don’t tempt fate and try to eke out one more winter. If your roof needs a replacement, do it now, before winter creates even more damage. Repairs and replacements during winter are more costly and time consuming. Save money and the hassle by being proactive.
Winterize Roof Elements
Winterizing is recommended and is part of a regular commercial roof maintenance program. Winterizing the more vulnerable areas of your roofing system is important to protect your roof. Winterizing your roofing includes checking the surface, the insulation, replacing caulking where needed, checking the flashing, and ensuring gutters and water displacement systems are working correctly.
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5 Reasons Why Fall is the Best Time to Replace your Commercial Roof
There is no doubt that your roof is one of the most important structures for your company building. It’s one of the biggest and one of the most expensive components of your building structure. And we all know that an issue with your roof can easily lead to a plethora of other issues with your business – many of which could impact your company workflow and put a halt to production altogether.

When your roof starts becoming more than a nuisance and starts costing you money, it’s time to explore your options to replace your commercial roof and the fall is the perfect time for a project undertaking of this nature. If you have noticed it’s time to seriously consider roofing options, these five reasons will help you better to understand why the fall is an ideal time to replace it:
- Time Efficiency: Replacing your roof during the fall ensures your roof gets replaced on-time without interruptions from unworkable weather conditions.
- Better Protection this Winter: A new commercial roof will protect your building from leaks or damage caused to old roofs by volatile winter weather. Your new roof will be able to better withstand winter conditions, allowing you to focus on business as usual.
- Energy Cost Savings: A new roof can help to reduce your energy bill. By adding more insulation during the installation your building will retain more heat. These costs will add up to significant savings over the lifespan of your new roof.
- It’s Cheaper Now: The cost for a sudden roof replacement in the winter can be extremely expensive. Plus winter weather could play a factor in the replacement process – Two things that can negatively impact your business.
- Save with End of Season Pricing: As prices of materials have steadily risen over the past 12 months, locking in your quote today is the best way to save for unknown prices in the future.
These 5 reasons will definitely give you something to think about. Replacing your roof in the fall will save you money, eliminate potential issues, and help make your building even more energy efficient.
Thinking about replacing your roof before the winter? Register today for a no obligation, free roof inspection. We are happy to take a look at your commercial roof!
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