Most commercial roofs in the UK are flat, which causes some unique roof problems. There can be drainage issues that cause water to pool on the roof, some roofs with membranes may see them shrink, or different types of plant materials may grow on them. Here are six of the most common commercial roof problems.
Moss Growth
Moss can be a problem on both residential and commercial roofs in the United Kingdom. If it is left unchecked, it will collect water and moisture, which can soften the roof and cause water damage. There are chemical treatments that can kill moss when it first appears; however, if you install copper or zinc strips on a roof, it may not grow at all.
Winter Damage
Extreme cold, heavy snow, and ice accumulation can easily damage roofs when winter weather is harsh. As the snow and ice melts, your gutters can overflow and some of the water may leak through the roof. To prevent damage from winter weather, have a company that does industrial roofing in Oxford do an inspection of the roof and gutters to see if they could hold up to winter weather and do the necessary maintenance work to ensure that they can.
Bird Damage
Birds, especially seagulls, can do a lot of damage to the roof of your business. Along with building nests in inconvenient places, pecking at materials, and swooping at people, their droppings can cause damage.
Even if the roof is covered with steel cladding, the droppings will eventually penetrate the corrosion-resistant coating and damage the cladding. The best way to treat this problem is to try to eliminate having birds on the roof.
Ponding Water
Puddles on a flat roof are normal after a soaking rain but if they don’t dissipate after two or three days, it could be an indication that there is a drainage problem. Allowing water to pond on the roof can eventually lead to water leaking into the building. Contact a commercial roofing company to inspect the roof if you notice water ponding issues that do not dissipate.
Damage to Rooflights
Although rooflights are supposed to last 20 to 30 years, constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause damage and reduce their life to 15 to 20 years. However, they can also become discoloured, get brittle, tear, or allow to water to leak into the roof around them. Regular inspections and maintenance can prevent or find most of this damage so the rooflights can be repaired or replaced as appropriate.
Debris Buildup
Flat roofs collect all types of debris from sticks, branches, and leaves that have been blown off trees to bird’s nests and stones that may have been dropped by birds. The accumulation of debris can block drains and drain pipes, causing water to accumulate and damage the roof. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved with regular preventative maintenance to the roof.
Preventative maintenance and regular roof inspections will prevent many roof problems and cost much less than major roofing repairs once damage has been done.