Waterproofing can help your commercial roof last longer! Here’s when it’s a good idea
With most commercial roofs, leaks and poor drainage tend to be your biggest enemy. Because these roofs are typically flat or low-slope, water has a greater chance of penetrating the surface. As your commercial roof ages, the chance of a leak becomes even greater. Roof waterproofing is a great option to add additional protection and keep the interior of your commercial building nice and dry. At Dolan Roofing & Construction, we’ve helped extend the life of many commercial roofs through the best roofing and waterproofing solutions available. Is now a good time to waterproof your commercial roof? Let’s take a look.
Why install waterproofing?
Before taking a look at the factors to consider before waterproofing, it’s a good idea to look at the benefits. What can waterproofing do for your commercial roof? Here are a handful of key advantages waterproofing provides:
- Prevent structural decay – Water leaking through your roof can cause a great deal of damage. As it penetrates the outer layer of your roof, key components of your commercial roof such as the underlayment and insulation can become damaged. Further, water can also damage your building’s structure, affecting walls, foundations, and more.
- Keep stock and equipment dry – Your commercial building is meant to house key stock and equipment for your business. Waterproofing provides an additional defense against water entering your building and damaging these important items.
- Increase your roof’s lifespan – By helping avoid water damage to underlying components of your roof, waterproofing can help your roof last much longer. This can also save you money on future roof replacements and repairs.
What types of commercial roofs can be waterproofed?
The question of when the best time is to waterproof a commercial roof starts with considering the roof itself. First, what material is it made from? The good news here is that just about any commercial roofing system can be waterproofed, including single-ply membranes like TPO and EPDM, as well as materials like built-up roofing. However, as you look to estimate the cost of this project, it’s important to note that different products will be used for different kinds of roofs. An expert commercial roofer will be able to help you understand what products are available for your roof.
Will waterproofing be effective on your roof?
Next, it’s important to consider the current health of your roof. Waterproofing should be seen more as a preventative measure than a roof repair. This means the best roofing systems for waterproofing are those that are still in relatively good health. If your commercial roof has structural issues, deterioration of decking and insulation, or other significant problems, a commercial roof repair is what you should schedule first. As with the above, a professional commercial roofer can help determine whether waterproofing will be best for your roofing system.
When should a roof be waterproofed?
Because waterproofing is best for helping your roofing system deal with precipitation, it’s good to consider the weather patterns in your area to determine when is the best time to install waterproofing on your commercial roof. Typically, the months with the most precipitation will be around springtime, particularly April through June, so waterproofing your roof before then is ideal. Since winter is not exactly prime roofing time (though roofers are typically available for emergency roof repair), early spring may be best.
Dolan Roofing and Construction: Best Roofing and Waterproofing Services
Here at Dolan Roofing & Construction, we have all of your roofing needs covered, offering the best waterproofing, repair, maintenance, and roof replacement services for your commercial roof. Our licensed and experienced San Antonio roofers know the ins and outs of providing effective waterproofing for all types of commercial roofs. If you think your commercial roof might be a candidate for waterproofing, the Dolan Roofing & Construction team is standing by to perform an inspection and help plan your next move. Contact us today!
