Why Should You Winterize Your Roof?
Your building is the foundation of your business and your roof is the foundation for your building. Taking proper care of your commercial or industrial building’s roof is a large responsibility and should be taken very seriously. One of the most important precautions to take is to winterize your roof to prepare it for winter season, especially if it’s located in a climate that is prone to harsh winter weather.
Winter storms and cold temperatures can greatly damage commercial property. Due to compound damage, leaks can grow to be 30x worse in a year. This can lead to costly repairs, decreases in property value, disruption of business or all of the above. Even vacant properties will need to be winterized properly to keep it in top condition and protect your investment.
Commercial property owners looking to ensure their offices, stores and other buildings are protected during the winter can use following building winterization and roof maintenance tips to protect their investments:
Inspect Your Roof
Hiring a commercial roof contractor to come out and inspect your roof prior to winter is highly recommended to determine if you will need to take action to winterize your roof. A professional roofing company will check for leaks and discover any vulnerabilities to your roofing system. Any defective flashings or leaks going into winter season pose a high risk to your building and can cause severe damage to your property if not dealt with. Depending on the condition of your roof, either a roof repair or roof replacement may be in your best interest to avoid severe damages and save you money in the long run.
Leave The Heat On
Even if your building is vacant, it’s recommended to keep your heaters on a low setting. If the heat is turned off during winter months, the pipes can freeze and cause them to break. Leaving the heat on is one of the basic recommendations to winterize your roof.
Have A Snow Removal Plan
Large accumulations of snow on your roof is a hazard and in extreme cases can lead to a collapsing roof. Snow can add between 20 and 60 lbs. of weight per cubic foot. Some roofs are designed to bear some of this additional load, but others may not be. At any rate, it is a good idea to have a proactive plan setup with a commercial snow removal company to remove heavy snows in a prompt manner so you do not put excess stress on your roof. If you are looking for a commercial snow removal company, Contact Us to inquire.