Extreme cold, ice, heavy snow and other winter effects can be worrisome for commercial property owners. If you own commercial property in the Greater Toronto Area, more focus needs to be taken on maintaining a comfortable, and more importantly, a safe place of business. That’s why it’s important to ensure that any type of snow accumulation is never ignored.

Commercial buildings with flat roofs are at an increased risk of damage because of the wide spans and low slopes these roofs have. As a result, these two factors can prohibit snow from melting. So, how will this directly affect the lifespan of your commercial flat roof?

Read below as we’ll explore how heavy snow can affect your commercial flat roof and how you can protect it from the extreme winter weather Toronto faces.

Ice Effects

Water accumulation on the top of a flat roof and around its edge can form ice, which can damage gutters as well as impede water flow off of the roof. This is known as ice damming. In other words, ice dams occur when melting snow refreezes before it has time to drain from the roof.

Simply put, ice dams can cause major damage to your property. Accumulated water can leak through into ceilings or into the rooms inside of the building. There are also major safety issues to be concerned about with an accumulation of water and ice. Heavy chunks of ice can break off and fall to the ground below, potentially putting bystanders at risk.

Heavy Snow

Snow accumulation on a flat roof will obviously add excess weight, creating a heavy burden to bear. Extra weight that builds with continuous snowfall can seriously affect a building’s structural integrity. The burden that heavy snow can cause will vary by building size and the type of roofing system, however, snow accumulation of any type must be removed. In order to safely and properly do so, consult a professional commercial roofing contractor in Toronto to clean and inspect your roof. Only professionals can be trusted for proper and efficient roof clean up, as they will ensure that any underlying roofing membrane will not be damaged during cleanup.

Prevention

The most important step you can take to protect your flat roof from extreme winter weather damage is: preparation. What does this mean? It means that it’s your responsibility to do prior due diligence. If the right materials are chosen for your climate, and a professional commercial roofing contractor installs your flat roof properly, it will protect your building throughout the winter months for many years.

* You should also have a maintenance plan in place, so that if any unexpected weather hits, your roof will be immediately tended to.

Protect Your Flat Roof This Winter

Maintaining the integrity of your commercial or industrial flat roof is a year-round task, however, extra precautions should be taken during Toronto’s winter months. If you own commercial property in the Greater Toronto Area, your flat roof is at risk for heavy snow accumulation, ice damming and other damaging issues caused by extreme winter weather.

If you’re in need of some advice as to how to protect your flat roof this winter, do not hesitate to contact us. Additionally, if you’ve already experienced winter flat roof damage, call us immediately. We provide emergency repair services that are available within 24 hours.