It’s that time of year again when Mother Nature Seems just a little more bi-polar than usual. One day it’s 57 degrees, and the next it’s 27 degrees. With the last bits of snow melting and then refreezing so often lately, it’s no wonder that commercial roofing companies are seeing such a huge uptick in requests related to roof leaks in Boise, Idaho.
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It’s true, when routine maintenance is performed on anything it will last longer, be it cars with routine oil changes and mileage marker services, or play toys – boats, four wheelers, RVs and campers, snowmobiles, etc, or the tools you use to get jobs done – rototillers, lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, shop vacs. Can you imagine what would happen if these things didn’t get proper care? Items can also benefit from a thorough cleaning – coffee pots, ovens, BBQs, computers, monitors, TVs, refrigerators – they work better if they’re clean, vents are unobstructed and dust-free, and there isn’t anything that’s an immediate threat to their performance.
Maintenance is key for a leak-free roof. Too many facility managers/ property managers fall to the old adage: “out of sight, out of mind” or “don’t fix it unless it’s broke” especially when it comes to roofs. But those who don’t succumb to this line of thinking typically have leak-free roofs and consequently keep what’s below the roof protected. If you are one of those who are consistently using emergency funds for commercial roof repairs, it’s time to break that habit this year.
Improperly maintained roofs eventually become damaged – just how damaged depends on how long an issue went without being addressed and which determines just how expensive the fix will be.
For flat roofs, weathering and standing water (ponding) will most likely be the culprit and will manifest in leaks. When Upson Company technicians perform bi-annual inspections on flat roofs the damage they look for is ponding, holes, voids, punctures, walkway deterioration, blisters and seam integrity. They also check drains, scuppers, gutters and downspouts for proper drainage. Flashings and coping cap are checked for fungus as it can push the flashings and coping cap away from the surface it is protecting. They check that plates and screws and that flashing and coping cap are still secured to the roof.
There are many benefits in hiring a roof consultant before roof design and installation are completed. And there are benefits to consulting a roof consultant if your roof is having issues or is prematurely failing. Depending on what end – prior to construction or after installation, you need a roof consultant, Upson Company is qualified to give input in the design phase and to troubleshoot commercial roof issues after installation.
All roofs protect your building from rain, snow, hail, wind, extreme heat and cold. Because at least one of these factors is buffered by your roof daily your roof will eventually degrade and deteriorate over time. Some roofs age more gracefully than others, while some fail prematurely. When it comes to time to address the current conditions of your roof and a replacement is necessary, there are some things to consider when choosing replacement material.
When it comes time for a complete roof replacement for flat roofs deciding what roofing system to install takes serious consideration. One such consideration is finding ways to extend the roof’s useful life and is a huge factor in deciding what roofing system to choose. As long as the sub-roof is in good condition extending the lifetime of a roof is as easy as choosing the right roofing system for the building.
Nature is springing into action across the Treasure Valley. Blossoms are blooming, branches are sprouting, bees are making their rounds, and creatures are propagating. What, you might ask, does this have to do with my roof? Well, while nature is right on time and programmed to perform in these ways it can and does tend to get a little wild. Left untamed, those sprouting tree limbs can grow into branches that can tear up your roof, coping cap, flashings or end up broken and laying on your roof possibly having caused punctures or holes in the membrane. Or overhanging tree branches will shed their leaves in the fall leaving dirt and organic material to rot on the roofing material. Furry and feathered critters are only acting on instinct when they make their nests or homes in or on exposed beams, small openings along flashings, in vents, around units, under coping cap or any other sheltered place shielded from the elements. Wasps coming out of hibernation need to find places to build their nests, usually in an inconvenient location too close to where maintenance people need access.
Well, the April showers are past us, and the May flowers are blooming here in Boise, Idaho – but every time it rains the roof leaks are continuing to, well, leak.
Each spring, roofing contractors across the area are flooded (pun intended) with calls about roof leaks that have sprung. And this year is certainly no exception. The causes for so many leaks can be traced to a multitude of different factors, but the this year the majority are due to the record snowfall and rain we were inundated with this past winter and early spring.
Often times roofing issues come up at the most inconvenient times, vacations, weekends, early mornings, basically any time after business hours. Sometimes the issue is a minor leak that only looks worse than it really it is. Other times the issue is a major problem that needs address immediately. For on-going issues a roofing coating may be the best, in terms of technical specification, and cost-effective solution. Manufacturers have expanded and evolved their coating products to meet customer’s needs for performance, flexibility and cost-effective alternative solutions.
Business Hours
Monday: 7AM–4:30PM
Tuesday: 7AM–4:30PM
Wednesday: 7AM–4:30PM
Thursday: 7AM–4:30PM
Friday: 7AM–4:00PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 7AM–4:30PM
Wednesday: 7AM–4:30PM
Thursday: 7AM–4:30PM
Friday: 7AM–4:00PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed