The roof is an essential component of any commercial building. A broken, run-down roof exposes your precious belongings, which can include expensive equipment. It also protects your employees from harm. Therefore, you need to be aware of when your old roof is on its last legs. After a few decades, it is time for a roof replacement. Before you get too excited and jump right into the project, here are a few things you need to consider first and foremost.
1. Is the Roof Ponding?
Before you contact a roofing contractor, you should have a professional inspect the building to see if there is any presence of ponding. This is the act of water accumulating on the roof with nowhere else to go. It could indicate you have an issue with the drainage system. Excessive ponding can result in algae buildup and permanent damage to the roof’s membrane. Ponding is a surefire sign your roof is almost done, so it may be time to look into reroofing.
2. Can Your Roof Benefit From Repairs?
Before you start thinking about a replacement, you first need to see whether a contractor can fix the damage. Commercial roof repairs are less costly than a replacement, but they will not help with everything. You should hire a contractor to come out to your building to see what would be best for your roof. Make sure you hire someone with accreditations whose input you can trust.
3. Do You Know What Roofing Material Would Be Best?
Before the contractor comes out, you should educate yourself about the most common commercial roofing materials. Polyvinyl chloride is a reinforced system that is both high-quality and long-lasting. It is recommended for roofs in tougher climates. However, you may need to consider an ethylene propylene diene monomer, which is commonly used with buildings featuring low-slope roofs. Since it only consists of a single layer, it is easier to install.
Finally, you have to look at thermoplastic polyolefin. It offers protection against ozone, chemical exposure and UV rays. It is also great for resisting chemicals, fires and strong winds. You do not want to automatically go with the roofing material you had before. Take your contractor’s input into consideration so you do not have to replace the roof for several more decades.
4. Will Your Insurance Company Pay for Part of the Roof Replacement?
In the event you need to replace your roof due to recent bad weather, you should first check with your commercial insurance provider. Some contractors are more than happy to help you out during the claims process. Additionally, they will try to get your insurance company to pay for as much of the damages as possible. You may be able to get a great new roof without spending as much.
5. Will You Take Care of This New Roof?
As soon as you the new roof is in place, you need to start planning for the future. Even with the best materials, your commercial roof requires routine maintenance. You need to hire a roofer in your area to come out once or twice annually to inspect the roof system. It is much easier to fix small problems than wait for them to escalate. The contractor you hire for the replacement should be your first choice for maintaining the roof, so make sure you hire someone you can see yourself dealing with for years.
6. Will the Contractor Completely Tear Away the Old Roof?
Many amateur contractors make the mistake of simply installing a new roof over the old one. This is not safe. It will be more expensive to tear apart and take away the old roof, but it is for the benefit of your building. When you speak with the contractor, you should make sure to ask about what will happen to the old roof. An experienced contractor will let you rest easy by disposing of the old roof.
7. What Does the Paperwork Say?
When dealing with something as important as a roof, you do not want to leave anything to chance. For every contractor you meet with, you should get a record of everything in writing. You want a written contract that lays out how much you will pay and how long it will take to install the new roof. Additionally, this paperwork should include all pertinent details about what permits you need to make the new roof legal in your town. Lastly, you should receive a letter from the contractor’s insurance provider saying exactly what is covered under the company’s liability plan.
A roof replacement is a costly job, but it is well worth the expense in the long run. Make sure you get it done by the best roofers in your area. For commercial property owners in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and other southern states, Benton Roofing provides top quality service with over 40 years experience. Get in touch with us if you have any questions. We will review your roof promptly and provide you with a free quote.