How to Handle Commercial Roof Storm Damage

Storms can cause significant damage to commercial roofs, leaving businesses vulnerable to leaks, structural issues, and other costly problems. For many commercial properties, the roof is the first line of defense against the elements. When a storm hits, it can lead to issues that require immediate attention. Understanding how to handle storm damage to your commercial roof is crucial to preventing further damage and ensuring your building stays protected. Commercial roofing companies offer essential roofing services to repair damage and protect your property from future storms. Here's how to effectively handle commercial roof storm damage.

Inspecting the Roof After a Storm

The first step in handling commercial roof storm damage is to inspect the roof as soon as possible after the storm has passed. High winds, heavy rain, and hail can cause a variety of issues, including missing or damaged roofing materials, punctures, and water pooling. It's important to conduct a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the damage and determine if immediate repairs are needed.

While you can perform a basic visual inspection from the ground, it's best to contact commercial roofing companies for a professional inspection. Roofing services provided by professionals include a detailed assessment of the roof, identifying any hidden damage that may not be visible from the ground. Early detection of damage can help prevent more extensive and costly repairs down the line.

Addressing Leaks and Water Damage

Storm damage often leads to roof leaks, which can cause serious problems if not addressed quickly. Water that enters the building through a damaged roof can lead to mold growth, damaged insulation, and structural issues. It's essential to take immediate action to stop leaks and prevent further water damage.

Commercial roofing companies specialize in emergency roofing services that include quick leak repairs and temporary solutions to prevent more water from entering the building. Once the immediate damage is controlled, a more permanent repair can be made to restore the roof's integrity. Acting quickly to address leaks is key to minimizing water damage and protecting your property.

Documenting the Damage

When dealing with storm damage to your commercial roof, it's important to document everything for insurance purposes. Taking photos and notes of the visible damage can help when filing an insurance claim. This documentation will serve as evidence of the extent of the damage and can support your case when seeking compensation for repairs.

Commercial roofing companies often assist with the documentation process, providing a detailed report of the damage found during their inspection. Roofing services typically include a full breakdown of the necessary repairs, which can be submitted to your insurance provider. Proper documentation ensures that your claim is processed smoothly and that you receive the compensation needed to cover the cost of repairs.

Scheduling Professional Repairs

After the initial inspection and temporary fixes, the next step is scheduling professional repairs. Storm damage can range from minor shingle replacement to major structural repairs, depending on the severity of the storm. Working with experienced commercial roofing companies is crucial to ensuring the repairs are done correctly and promptly.

Commercial roofing services include everything from repairing damaged areas to replacing large sections of the roof if necessary. Professional roofers have the knowledge and equipment to handle storm damage of all sizes, ensuring that your roof is fully restored and ready to withstand future storms. Delaying repairs can lead to more severe issues, so it's important to schedule repairs as soon as possible.

Preventing Future Damage

Once the storm damage has been repaired, it's important to take steps to prevent future damage. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify potential issues before they become major problems. Commercial roofing services include preventive maintenance that keeps your roof in top condition and ready to handle future storms.

Commercial roofing companies can provide maintenance plans that include regular inspections, cleaning, and minor repairs to ensure your roof remains strong and durable. By investing in preventive care, you can extend the life of your roof and avoid costly repairs in the future.

Conclusion

Handling storm damage to a commercial roof requires quick action, professional expertise, and proper documentation. By inspecting the roof after a storm, addressing leaks, and scheduling professional repairs, you can minimize the impact of storm damage and protect your building. Commercial roofing companies offer essential roofing services to restore your roof and prevent further issues. Regular maintenance and preventive care are key to ensuring your commercial roof is ready for the next storm. Protect your property by working with experienced professionals who can handle all aspects of storm damage and keep your roof in excellent condition.

Tool by Chris Hunter, author of "The Ultimate Guide to Digital Marketing for Roofers." Check out [RoofingSites.com](https://roofingsites.com) for more!

Roofing Dry Rot – How to Detect and Prevent It!

A unique problem that can affect many types of roofing is dry rot, a destructive process that can result in a homeowner needing to replace their entire roof.

Dry rot is the slow deterioration of the roofing material and support structures that happens over time, culminating when an affected roof can no longer remain watertight and the roof structure begins to rot.

Fortunately, homeowners can work with a roofing service to prevent this costly problem and keep their installation in great condition for its full life expectancy. 

What Exactly Is Roofing Dry Rot?

The first step to preventing roofing dry rot, also called roof rot, is understanding what it is and how it happens.

According to roofers, dry rot is caused by fungal growth that spreads under the external roofing materials.

It starts on roofs that remain moist, usually due to poor attic ventilation that causes the roof to overheat.

It can also happen anywhere that moisture reaches the roof underlayment and decking, such as loose roof flashing or pipe boots, roof edges that get submerged in clogged overflowing gutters, and anywhere there is a leak. 

How Does Dry Rot Spread?

As moisture gets absorbed by the underlayment and then the wood decking as well as other wood components and remains damp and moist, fungal growth begins.

Over time as the fungus quickly spreads, the integrity of the roofing materials decreases as moisture and fungal growth increase.

Eventually, affected decking and support structures will start to fail, sometimes to the point of the roof sagging or collapsing. 

How Can Dry Rot Be Prevented in Roofs?

How can homeowners prevent dry rot from affecting their roofing installation?

The most important action that homeowners can take to protect their roofing from a serious problem like dry rot is to arrange for regular inspections from a reliable local roofing service.

A knowledgeable roofer will test for adequate attic ventilation to ensure there is no overheating, plus inspect all the common areas where problems like roof rot can occur.

Should there be any leaks or other water damage that could result in fungal growth starting, have the roofer repair it right away.

Then just keep up with roofing maintenance and periodic inspections. 

Don't Let Dry Rot Happen to Your Roof!

Roofers advise that dry rot is a serious problem that can destroy a roofing installation, sometimes without the homeowner even realizing it until it is too late.

A roof affected by dry rot will need to be replaced, potentially even as far as some rafters if the rot is severe.

To avoid this and other serious roofing problems, contact a local roofing service and arrange an inspection today!

What Is a Bonded Roofing Contractor?

When seeking roofing services, it is common to see the term “bonded and insured” on a contractor’s website or in their advertising; however, some roofers services might only advertise that they are insured, leaving out the term bonded.

Bonded roofing companies are definitely preferred over those that are not and in order to appreciate this fact, it is important to understand what bonding means about roofing contractors and other contractors as well. 

What Is A Bonded Roofing Service?

Bonding is when a roofers service has paid a bonding company to hold a surety bond for that business.

A surety bond is like an insurance policy, but it protects the customers of roofing companies, not the companies themselves.

Surety bonds protect customers of roofing services against monetary loss due to damages caused by the contractor, for a roofing company’s failure to complete the contracted work as promised, or even if the work performed is unsatisfactory.

Surety bonds also protect customers when a contractor fails to pay subcontractors for work that is performed during a contracted roofing job. 

How Does a Roofing Company Become Bonded?

To be bonded, roofing companies must pay a fee to a bonding agency in exchange for bonding certificates that they can show to their customers.

Before the certificates are provided, bonding agencies will typically research roofing services to gauge their business plan, reputation, financial statements, and more.

To confirm bonding, all any customer of a roofers service needs to do is request to see their current bonding certificate. 

Why Is Bonding Important?

Bonding is important, as it provides customers with third-party protection for the work they are contracting from roofing services if something does not go as planned.

All a roofers services customer needs to do if there is some unresolved problem is contact the bonding agency to have it resolved.

Since this makes getting roofing work done less risky, it is recommended to work only with roofing companies that carry surety bonds.

It is another element of trustability that roofer services can present to their customers when demonstrating their good reputation in the community. 

The Value of Surety Bonding

Surety bonding can cost the roofer quite a bit, meaning their services might be slightly higher than those of a non-bonded contractor.

A slightly higher fee is inexpensive insurance to pay for the guarantee that no matter what the future brings, the work will get done and get done correctly.

Before agreeing to let any roofing service handle repairs or a roofing replacement, home and building owners should always ask to see proof of bonding for their own protection!