All roofs are critical components that protect a building’s occupants, contents, and structural integrity, but the roof covering a commercial building also helps to safeguard the owners and their tenants’ livelihoods. Austin commercial roofing can be impacted by hail, drenched by torrential downpours, damaged by poorly trained service technicians, roasted by the sun, and ripped by high winds. When your commercial roof is showing signs of problems, you may wonder whether you should replace it or opt for repairs.
When Should You Have Your Commercial Roof Replaced?
What Are Some Indications That You Need to Replace Your Commercial Roof?
Commercial roofs come in a variety of styles and can utilize several types of coverings. It is always best to ask a licensed roof contractor to evaluate your specific roof and recommend an appropriate course of action. However, if you can answer the following questions before you start soliciting quotes from commercial roofing contractors, your knowledge may help the bid process go faster and smoothly.
How Old Is Your Roof?
If your roof is nearing the end of its life expectancy, you might want to consider a replacement instead of a roof repair. Depending on the material used, the amount of maintenance the roof has received, and any usual damage it has suffered, the life expectancy can vary by 10 years or more. On average, however, modified bitumen roofing, asphalt built-up roofing, EPDM rubber roofing, asphalt roof systems, TPO, and PVC single-ply roofs have life expectancies of 20 to 30 years. PVC roof systems generally last between 25 and 35 years.
How Much Would Repairs Cost?
Typically, if repairs will cost more than half of what a new roof will cost, a replacement is more cost-effective, especially if the current roof is more than 10 or 15 years old. The younger your roof is and the more minor the damage, the more likely it is that a roof repair will be a better use of your money.
Are Your Energy Bills Inexplicably Increasing?
If you have not increased your building’s occupancy or added new, power-hungry equipment, rising energy bills without a corresponding rate increase could be an indication of a problem with your roof. Roofs help keep artificially cooled or heated air inside your building while keeping out the external air.
Is Your Roof Leaking?
A leak is a visible sign of a roof problem. Your commercial roofing contractor can usually repair an isolated leak or two economically. However, multiple leaks dispersed over a wide area of your roof may indicate that your roof is close to a complete failure.
What Evidence of Problems Can You See on Your Roof?
If possible, don the appropriate footwear and inspect your flat roof. Look for damaged flashing, cracks or bubbles in the membrane, pools of water or stains indicating that pools once existed, loose seams, and sections of the membrane fluttering in the wind. If you can take pictures or record a video to document the damage, you might ask whether your contractor would like for you to upload the files.
What Are Your Plans for the Building?
If you are planning to install additional equipment on your roof, make sure that your roof is not on the verge of failing. For example, it is better to install solar panels or new HVAC systems on a sound roof than to have to work around or move them to install a new roof.
Contact Alpha for the Exceptional Commercial Roofing Austin TX Businesses Need
Alpha Roofing is one of the leading residential and commercial roofing contractors in Central Texas. Our commercial roof services include the installation and repair of built-up roofing systems, flat roof replacement, metal fabrication, and flashing repair and installation. We also install metal roofs, asphalt shingles, and skylights. We have an exemplary reputation based on our craftsmanship, professional project management, outstanding customer service, and highly competitive prices. Contact us today for a free quote by submitting our online form or calling our office in Round Rock at 512-777-1086.