Apr 07 2021
Commercial Roof Maintenance

How To Remove Mold and Algae From Your Roof

roof with moss growthWondering how to remove any accumulated mold and algae on your roof?

Mold and algae should be tackled promptly to keep your roof’s structural integrity and functionality. The formation of mold can also put you and your people’s health at risk, not to mention is tricky to remove. Thus, here are some suggestions that may help you remove mold and algae from your roof.

How To Pinpoint Algae & Mold On The Roof

Mold typically starts to form in moist regions of your attic and can quickly reach the roof. You may notice it in three different shades: green, brown, and black. Algae, on the other hand, has a bluish-green hue. Both of these can quickly form on the shingles and expand in moist climates.

How To Remove Mold & Algae From Your Roof

If there is mold developing beneath the shingles or over your roof, you will see that there are more than just external spots. In this case, you should hire professional contractors to inspect the mold in your roof and evaluate the level of damage.

Taking off mold and algae from your roof may need you to jump right over the roof. Hence, most folks choose to contact a roof fixing company or expert to clean it up and to make sure that the layers underneath are not impaired.
If you are going the DIY route, though, here are some tips to help you remove mold and algae from your roof. You will have to gather the following:

  • A hose with a wand or nozzle attached. However, you have to ensure that there is no pressure during washing or you may ruin the roof’s surface.
  • Oxy bleach detergents can be applied in place of laundry bleach if you fear that the waste will harm your grass or garden
  • You may also use a mixture of water and bleach in equal ratios. You may apply the mixture with a spray bottle and let it sit and work for 30 minutes, then rinse with light water pressure. The ideal mixing ratio for a strong yet safe cleaning is ½ cup of bleach per gallon of water. You may also use a Trisodium Phosphate solution.

How To Keep Mold and Algae From Returning

The easiest way to keep algae and mold from coming back is to stop humidity from coming in the first place. You may waterproof your roof by hiring a professional roofer or company.

Another crucial step to prevent the accumulation of mold and algae is to clean out your roof regularly. Make sure that you remove any dirt and debris and that the gutters are clear and functional to let water drain out. Also, trim down any overstretching tree branches that may hang over or near your roof.

Arrange a regular roof check at least 2X a year to make sure that bacteria formation is eradicated. Roof fixing companies may also repair the shingles if ruined or bent, mitigating the risk of encountering serious algae and mold problems in the future.

Mar 16 2021
Commercial Roof Inspection

3 Considerations When Performing a Semi-Yearly Roof Inspection

Two roofers inspecting commercial buildingHome and office owners tend to spare little to no time on their roofs–only if they take out the ladder, they will realize that they might not be familiar with all the roof’s checking points. By carrying out professional roof inspections on a semi-yearly basis, home and building owners can get an idea of their roof’s status, the efficiency of their maintenance plan, and general estimation of where their budget should be spent.

Similar to changing the oil of your vehicle, roof checks may stop serious problems only when they are performed on a regular basis. Semi-yearly roof checks can pinpoint chronic issues and significantly shrink the general roof repair costs in the long run. These checks and estimates allow trusty cost-efficient solutions and stop random and often expensive costs and rises in the budget.

 

1.  Checks Indicate The Condition and Performance of The Roof

Above all, a semi-yearly roof inspection can show the building owners and administrators how a roofing system is working. A good professional check may pinpoint major roofing problems before they escalate into bigger ones if ignored for a long time. For instance, a spot on the roof’s membrane may require immediate fixing. If the owner of the building acts quickly and makes all the necessary repairs in advance, the situation will be easily treated.

However, if the problems are not identified through a roof check, the layer fixes may bother construction tasks and may compromise the safety of residents or employees, or lead to damage in insulation or equipment.

2. Lasting Protection: Preventive Maintenance Measures

Another consideration for building owners when they get a roof inspection is the volume of regular maintenance tasks the roof needs. Professional checks help experts find and repair major leaks which should be carried out at least two times a year. These tasks may include:

  • Clearing accumulated debris
  • Covering pitch pans
  • Patching empty spots
  • Closing off unshielded spots

These initial preventive steps increase the lifespan of a roof. A properly maintained roof that comes with a 10-year warranty may potentially reach 25 years of good performance. That means more cash savings for you in the long run.

3. Inspections Give You a General Picture That Allows Easy Long-Lasting Budgeting

Last but not least, a professional roof inspection at least 2X a year will give you a general picture of your roof’s condition and functionality. All these parameters are vital for estimating your budget. When your bookkeeper or asset administrator is aware of all the costs involved throughout the roof’s complete life duration, they will be able to reach budgeting targets more easily.

A seasoned roofing expert will be in a position to tell you approx. (considering inflation prices, material costs, and other parameters) how much budget you’ll need to allocate for the next three years. This is particularly significant for owners of modern buildings who intend to keep their buildings for longer but have less budget to spare in their roofing.

A semi-yearly roof inspection will pinpoint three important aspects: the direct condition of their roof, the efficiency of the maintenance plan, and a general idea of the roof’s condition and lifespan. When a portion of a business operating budget includes regular roof inspections, building owners can be aware of their roof’s status and protect them by taking the properly educated decisions.

Mar 09 2021
Commercial Roof Maintenance

3 Tips For Increasing A Roof’s Lifespan & Durability

view over business district of a city with rooftops of several commercial buildingsYour roofing structure is deemed as one of the largest capital investments you’ll make for your building. The more it lasts, the better your ROI. There are three essential variables to boost your roof’s longevity. From the method it is constructed to the manner it is maintained, a basic key to roof durability is to stop and repair small issues in advance before they escalate into major ones. However, the most crucial step of the roofing process boils down to your roofing expert.

1.  Develop the Proper Roof with the Proper Materials

A building’s exact location and occupation count very much on decisions concerning the structure and raw materials. Selecting the proper construction materials, set-up methods, and extras based on the weather settings and building type will make sure that the roof will tolerate everything that is exposed to. For instance:

– Climate: TPO and EPDM materials deteriorate at different paces under heavy sun exposure. A roof exposed to sunny and hot weather needs to be fabricated from a sunproof material.

–  Kind/Purpose: An expanded roof may be the perfect choice for roofs exposed to intense foot traffic. In case the building aims to have maintenance groups on the roof regularly, it should be constructed to tolerate additional exposure to the friction and the elements.

– Set-up: The force and intensity of local winds may need a roof to be attached mechanically and not completely adhered to.

One of the perks of collaborating with an established roofing expert is that they can help you in planning and budgeting, however, as a building owner or manager, you should focus especially on the design of a roof that fulfills all your requirements.

2. Plan in advance: Check, Maintain and Practise

A solid maintenance plan can draw the line between having to do a partial or complete re-roofing job. An extensive and thoughtful pan for checks and maintenance raises the odds of finding and fixing a minor problem before it gets worse and leads to further impairment.

These planning works should feature occasional maintenance tasks together with fundamental preventive measures such as clearing out debris and keeping drainage points unhinged. The plan should also include the construction crews involved in the process. It is important to make sure that no one has access to the roof without a solid reason and those who are given entrance should be adequately trained and monitored with a system of getting in and out.

3. Choose The Right Partner-Choose the Right Expert

Even if the raw materials and design or maintenance strategy are great, if the roofers you hire fail to set up the roof properly, it will deteriorate over time, perhaps even quicker than expected.

Building owners and administrators, therefore, need to realize that there is a distinction between cheap and cost-efficient. Established contractors who have hands-on experience with the raw materials involved in the project may cost you more cash initially, but their final work will pay you off in terms of long-term value.

Teaming up with a reliable and seasoned partner is the primary and most crucial step a building owner or manager can follow to increase the longevity of their roof’s structure. Combined with regular checks and maintenance work in conjunction with training and tracking those who access the roof, you’ll decrease the likelihood of encountering major issues afterward. Plus, proper preventive measures will translate to a better ROI in the long run.

Feb 28 2021
Commercial Roof Repair

Common Causes Of Leaks On Commercial Roofs (And How To Repair Them)

roofers repairing roof of old factory buildingWhen you have a leaking commercial roof, an experienced and skilled commercial roofing contractor like Gen819 Roofing San Diego should be hired to assess your situation and offer a lasting solution. When you know what the root cause of a leak is, it can help to prevent your problem from growing worse and keep your building protected.

So what causes a roof leak to develop and what steps can you take to address or prevent the problem?

Here is what you need to know:

Pooled water

If there is a low slope on the surface of your commercial roof, then it is likely that water will coalesce on it. That will increase the stress and weight on the roof which can damage the roof and result in a leak. In order to prevent your roof from forming standing water, make sure to have a well-designed surface. You need a proper draining system as well with downspouts, gutters, and clear drains.

Improper sealing

Pipes, HVAC units, gas lines, and other types of roof penetrations can result in leaks if they are not sealed properly. If those places are not given special attention during the installation process, these outlets can turn into open holes in your roof membrane. In order to fix this problem, the openings will need to be properly sealed by commercial roofing repair professionals. Regular maintenance and roof inspection will help to prevent expensive repairs and leaks.

Damaged roof membrane

This waterproof layer seals the interior of a building off to prevent water from being able to leak through. However, the membrane’s structural integrity can be compromised by such factors as wear and tear, mechanical damage, bad weather, and foot traffic. Regular repairs, maintenance, and inspections will help to ensure that the roof’s membrane stays in good condition. You might have to replace the roof membrane if there is a major leak.

Old age

Even when you properly maintain your roof, as it ages it will continue to become weaker. Being exposed to the elements constantly can damage the roof’s structure and increase the risk of leaks. A flat commercial roof has a lifespan of 15 to 10 years. The best thing to do if your roof is leaking and it is past its useful life is to completely replace it.

So whenever you discover that your commercial roof has a leak, your vulnerable inventory and equipment should be evacuated so that further damage is prevented. Next, note the location of the leak, call your insurance company and inform them of the damage, and also call a roofing professional.

Jan 16 2021
Commercial Roof Construction

Value Engineering: Keep Your Roof, Your Surroundings, and Your Bottom Line Safe

Two roofers installing new commercial roofValue engineering is a planning procedure that allows roofing experts to fix roofs in a cost-efficient and ecological manner, expand the roof’s warranty window and allow easier budgeting in the future. Sounds great, right? Value engineering achieves all the above by changing only the necessary components, keeping recyclable materials, and evaluating the life duration and main purpose of the building. You can learn if this plan is ideal for your upcoming project.

Value Engineering: Detailed Roofing Replacement Starts With Broad Building Inspection

Following a period of 15 to 20 years, some outworn and old roofs may have to be fully replaced. However, in some cases, building owners can save plenty of cash and resources through a re-shielding job. A re-roofing task replaces only the roof’s damaged parts with new ones, but it doesn’t fully detach all the parts of the current roof.

Value engineering allows experts to professionally evaluate which components of the existing roof are still in good functional condition. The procedure begins with an evaluation of the whole building in addition to the damaged roof for the roofing experts to precisely evaluate which materials can be reiterated. Your roofing contractors will probably ask you the following, at this point:

  • How do you or your residents/employees operate the building?
  • If you are the owner, how long do you plan to keep the building?
  • How is your building occupied?

Utilizing Old Materials To Yield Big Savings

The point of value engineering is to make the most of every potential component of the roof and replace only the units that no longer serve their purpose. Experts, therefore, have to consider:

  • Whether current engineering incisions can be used into constructing the new roof
  • If metal parts e.g. gutters are in satisfactory condition and can be restored.
  • Whether specific insulation parts have kept their R-Value and can be used again.

Of all these parts, the insulation layer is the most significant material to salvage when needed. Unless insulation, which is supported between the exterior membrane and the deck beneath, displays uneven structure or is damaged, it can be reused. Even if this means getting the whole membrane and the deck changed, saving and reutilizing the insulation layer will stop the waste of resources and control the cost of getting new boards. Plus, the roof will acquire a complete warranty, although a part of the insulation will stay intact.

The primary aim of value engineering is to take reasonable action to utilize and salvage materials aligned with the owner’s targets. Thanks to an accurate evaluation of the building’s aim and a proper assessment of the materials, building owners and roofing experts alike can significantly reduce the waste of resources. A re-roof that is subject to value engineering makes sure that the building owner gets a roof that will secure their building under a complete warranty, without any excess costs of replacing materials that may be reused.