Many commercial building owners, especially in the Denver metro area and the Rocky Mountain West region, must contend with the very real possibility of severe storm damage to their roofing systems. While severe weather is not always predictable, there are ways to prepare your roof to help it better withstand damage from Mother Nature’s more destructive aspects.
It Isn’t Just “High Winds”
Severe storms are more than just rain, lightning, and wind. They are sometimes accompanied by tornadoes and other forms of damage, such as hail and flying debris. Any of these can cause some roofing damage on their own, but together, they can be highly destructive. And that can be a recipe for heavy damage to commercial roofs.
Type and Age of Your Roof
Remember that some older roofs can be damaged by wind speeds as “low” as 50 miles per hour. Some roofing materials and the method of installation are better suited to withstand damage from high wind speeds than others. For example, most agree that metal roofing systems are the “gold standard” for tornado protection, though the type of roofing material installed on your building may also depend on the structural design of your building and your budget.
Storm Preparation
There are several ways that building owners can prepare their roofs to mitigate potential future storm damage.
Routine yearly inspections by trained, experienced roofing professionals such as ours at United Materials can help owners spot potential problems before they become costly problems during (or after) severe weather. (See RoofGuard Video below)
Also, inspections should include ventilation shafts, HVAC systems, and other protrusions on your building’s roof to ensure they are correctly secured to the roof. If not, these items could be torn from your roof during a storm, causing severe damage.
Any debris, such as tree limbs, rocks, or other loose items, should always be immediately removed from a roof to help prevent damage. If there are any trees close to your building, they should be pruned or removed, depending on proximity to your building.
After the Storm
It is essential that your roof be inspected immediately following a severe storm or tornado. Our trained roofing professionals at United Materials are always prepared to inspect our customers’ roofs quickly following severe weather. We strongly encourage building owners not to delay roof inspections and/or repairs after storms. Don’t wait for the leak after the storm. Just because you don’t see a leak does not mean that your roof hasn’t incurred some damage. For example, it can linger in insulation and lead to even more expensive repairs. Prevention is always best, and RoofGuard ® is here for you.
RoofGuard: Prevent Roof Issues with Regular Maintenance
Schedule an inspection or learn more about RoofGuard from a United Materials expert today!
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