Winters Effects on Your Commercial Roof

With the onset of winter comes a host of potential challenges for flat commercial asphalt roofs. Snow loads that accumulate on flat roofs can wreak havoc in the winter due to the melting and refreezing of snow and ice. The diversity of temperatures in New York in winter creates “thermal shock” from expansion and contraction.

We can go from evening temps of less than 20 degrees and moderate over 50 degrees in less than 24 hours. This movement of the asphalt roof membrane of which most commercial roofing is comprised of, is no different than damage we all see in winter on our asphalt roads. Due to winters’ adverse weather conditions, it is a good practice to do a yearly maintenance inspection of your commercial roof. This would include the cleaning of the entire roof surface, all drain baskets, gutters, checking the roof filed for thermal cracks and open seams and then finally checking all roof projections, i.e., vent pipes, heat stacks and HVAC unit curbs.

Making an appointment with a qualified and insured commercial roofing contractor is in each building owners best interest.