Ask the Expert: How Do I Prepare My Commercial Roof for Winter?

As the temperatures begin to drop over the coming months, you'll want to start preparing your commercial roof for the winter months. Your commercial roofing can be affected by temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Winter temperatures can have a dramatic effect on your commercial roofing. This is especially true when you consider the night and day temperature swings. This is why it's essential to ensure your commercial roof is in good working order and consider options such as roof waterproofing.

To do this, you need to review your maintenance history. Make sure you have taken proper care of the roof membranes. Also, ensure no pests or animals live in your attic. After winter, you should schedule maintenance to protect your roof from the elements. Read on to learn more.

Cleaning your gutters regularly

Whether you own a business or manage an apartment complex, cleaning your gutters regularly is essential to commercial roofing maintenance. When not cleaned properly, gutters can hold too much water, causing drenching of the siding. The moisture could even seep into crevices and cause damage to the paint.

You must ensure that all drainage channels are clear during winter. If there are drainage problems in spring, they can amplify with the snow melt. This could lead to significant amounts of water pooling on your roof, which could cause further damage to your building and even money loss. Regular gutter cleaning will minimize these risks and keep your roof strong throughout winter.

Inspecting your roof membranes

Inspecting your commercial roof membranes before winter weather arrives is crucial for preventing damage from snow and ice. It's vital to check seams and flash around protrusions and the integrity of the surface membrane. Make sure to check for tears, deep scratches, and punctures. Also, check for leaks and cracks at the seams where flat surfaces transition to vertical surfaces for sprayed polyurethane foam roofs.

It is crucial to make repairs as soon as possible before freezing temperatures set in. Any delay or onset of wet and then freezing temperature fluctuations, along with changes, will only lead to worsening of problems. In addition, as your roof membrane expands, contracts, and allows water to freeze in problem areas, it can cause further damage.

You can explore Mapei’s range of thermal insulation products to insulate your commercial roof for more comfort. In case you are looking to protect the same area from snow and water damage, our range of roof waterproofing products might be something you can look into.

Installing wind baffles to prevent drifting snow

There are many reasons for installing wind baffles on commercial roofs. Snow ingestion can stress ventilation and drainage systems. Drifting snow can also block air vents and other features. Snow guards can effectively protect these features. Here are a few of them. Let us take a look at these benefits. They may help you to keep your building in good shape no matter what the weather is like.

Checking your attic for mold, animals, and pests

As the winter season draws near, it's time to begin thinking about preparing your commercial roof for the colder months. While you're checking your roof's insulation, you may notice stains in the ceiling or even critters. These can indicate the presence of a leak. In addition to the ceiling, check for any entryways to the roof. These can lead to mold growth.

Performing a winter roof inspection

Performing a winter roof inspection is crucial for identifying potential water buildup on flat roofs. In addition to visualizing visible wear, you should also examine the exterior structural components of your roof for signs of damage and mold. To do this, you can take steps to prevent leaves and other debris from accumulating on your roof. Also, consider installing gutter guards to keep leaves out of the gutter system. If you do not have a gutter guard, install one before the winter season starts.

With fall and winter approaching, it’s time to start preparing

With its vibrant colors and crisp air, fall is a season that grabs attention. It reminds us that we need to prepare for the coming days. There's no better time to start preparing your roof for winter than now. For the best health of your roof, contact a professional roofing contractor for an annual inspection and preventative maintenance.

A professional roofing contractor's expertise is unsurpassed, no matter how thorough your roof inspection may be. They will inspect everything to ensure your roof can perform well throughout winter.

At Mapei, one of the leading chemical companies in India, we know the challenges when it comes to maintaining a commercial roof through the seasons. If you are facing such difficulties as well, reach out to your nearest Mapei distributor for commercial roof water proofing Solutions and more.