Having a durable commercial flat roof is a necessity for any commercial property owner in Toronto. And while commercial or industrial roofs are built to last, they can encounter a lot of enemies that put threat to their integrity.

So, what are these enemies? And what problems can they cause?

Here are the top four most common causes of commercial roofing problems. Some may be obvious, while others may surprise you.

1. Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme weather is arguably the most common cause of commercial roof damage. Heavy wind, rain or snow, as well as extreme heat or UV exposure, can pose a threat to any type of commercial or industrial flat roof resulting in blow offs, punctures, dents, leaks, swelling, etc. As a commercial property owner, it’s up to you to understand the types of preventative measures to take so that your flat roof can withstand the extreme or unpredictable weather patterns we often see in Southwestern Ontario.

2. Lack of Maintenance & Inspections

Your commercial flat roof should never be neglected, and there are many reasons why. Not only will a neglected flat roof cause financial stress, it’s also extremely unsafe. If you own commercial property in Toronto, it’s important to have routine inspections performed on your flat roof. Pooling water, a base flashing that is loose, or pitch pockets that haven’t been filled can be easily spotted and fixed.

Additionally, commercial roofing damage may not always be visible with the naked eye. In this case, it’s important to consult a professional commercial or industrial roofing company to perform a more thorough inspection through infrared detection. An infrared roof survey is designed specially to detect flat roof damage not visible to the human eye, and could therefore provide an efficient way to identify specific problem areas on your commercial or industrial flat roof.

3. Poor Installation

Faulty installation of a commercial roof will increase the likelihood of problems and will reduce the roofing system’s overall effectiveness. And while you’d never want to be the one to hire an unauthorized or inexperienced roofing contractor, faulty workmanship is one of the more common causes of commercial roofing problems.

As a commercial property owner, always ensure the roofing expert you hire is legitimate. Some simple steps to take in ensuring proper workmanship on your commercial or industrial flat roof are:

• Ask your commercial roofing contractor for a checklist specific to the roof system that can be used for information gathering.
• Ask about moisture/infrared surveys and general roofing inspections.
• Have your contractor provide a written inspection report complete with digital photos. The contractor should also provide clear details on any structural changes or modifications to the roof surface.
• Ensure the commercial roofing contractor you hire is fully licensed and insured within the local jurisdiction, and that they can provide legitimate documents upon request.

4. Too Much Foot Traffic

Although regular roofing inspections are necessary to preserve the lifespan of your commercial or industrial flat roof, you should limit the amount of people that enter it. Too much foot traffic can lead to holes, punctures, or denting that can be of detriment a person’s safety and to your property as a whole. You should also avoid putting heavy or unnecessary equipment that can weigh the roof down.

Professional Flat Roof Service in Toronto, Ontario

To learn more about how to address commercial roofing problems or to prevent them from happening altogether, contact the experts at Crown Industrial Roofing. With over 40 years of professional commercial roofing experience in the Greater Toronto Area, we’re here to assist you with any commercial roofing problems you may have and any other roof repairs you may need. Our commercial roofing experts are standing by to assist you. Give us a call, or book your free roofing inspection today.