Roofing on industrial buildings faces several unique challenges. This structure is designed to be purely functional and is often based on the manufacturing process that goes on inside the building.
The roof can suffer damage due to aging, poor installation, degradation of materials, weather events or other accidents.
Business owners and property managers have to attend to industrial roofing problems immediately. They will have to decide whether to repair, restore, renovate or completely replace the structure. In some cases, the damage may be minimal, so it’s wise to fix it at once to prevent further more expensive and extensive problems. A quick revival procedure could be the best option in such cases.
Industrial Roofs: Why Quick Fixes Are Important
They are usually made from corrugated steel or aluminium alloy sheets, or they’re flat roofs covered with bitumen or waterproof membrane. Rubber or EDPM roofing is another option, and today many industrial buildings have spray-on PU foam or PVC roofs. Concrete roofs have been the traditional choice for strong and durable structures, and today, the trend is green roofing for industrial buildings.
Stark lines and ugly designs have given way to a more aesthetic appearance for industrial buildings as many of them are located in residential areas and city centers.
These roofs cover buildings where a variety of industrial processes happen. It could be a food or beverage manufacturing unit, a steel rolling mill, textile or paper factory. These structures are purpose built with criss-crossing of different ventilation and temperature control systems, piping, chimneys, vents, skylights, insulation, noise control systems, electrical wiring and more.
In many cases, industrial roofs are used as temporary work areas especially if they are flat. This means that the surface of the roof must also be kept clean and safe.
Security is another big concern in industrial roofs as many of the manufacturing processes are trade secrets that rival firms would like to get their hands on.
Any damage to the roof, leakage, breakdown in HVAC or insulation can result in significant downtime for the manufacturing unit. This results in revenue losses. Apart from this, damaged roofing may cause injuries to occupants of the building, opening you up to legal liability.
Keeping these aspects in mind, building owners and business managers, entrepreneurs and tenants of industrial buildings face a huge challenge. The only viable solution is to have regular inspections to ensure that any damage or problem is instantly identified. Find more information about first class commercial roofing here.
Typical Problems and Easy Solutions
Poor installation can show up at some point during the life of the roof. It results in accelerated wear and tear or leakage, safety issues and risk to life and property. When the structure is not properly installed, the panels may separate and the fasteners can work loose. If you’re occupying an older industrial building, you may have to repair or replace a poorly installed roof. An expert industrial roofing contractor can advise you on this.
Water pooling is common on flat roofs. This can be fixed by adjusting the slope of the roof and ensuring that rain water and moisture run off immediately. You can coat the roof with water-proof paint and line the joints with sealant.
If you have large trees close to the roof, ensure that they are kept neatly pruned to avoid damage by falling branches, accumulation of dry leaves and pest attacks.
Some materials such as rubber roofs or EDPM may react to harsh sunlight and heat, resulting in shrinkage, cracking or blistering. Based on the extent of damage you can decide whether to apply a fresh coating or replace the roof with a modern metal roof.
In some cases, the roof itself may be problem-free, but the adjoining gutters, fascia or drains may be clogged, broken or bent out of shape. A trained roofing expert can identify this problem quickly and fix the damage within a day or two without disrupting work inside the building.
If the roof material or membrane is punctured and has holes or gaps through which water leaks in, this can cause immense damage inside the industrial building. It can result in the growth of fungus and mold, allow microorganisms and vegetation to thrive and create an unhygienic atmosphere inside the unit. Replacing the membrane may take some time, as most experts recommend that you replace it completely. This work is best done over a weekend so that your manufacturing process is not interrupted.
Finally, if your roof is structurally sound, but just needs a quick makeover, you can give it a fresh coat of UV resistant paint, polyester or silicone coating systems, or polymer resins that can resist salt, moisture and UV rays in the environment. You can choose corrosion resistant coatings, reflective paint, and low-maintenance durable coatings to make the roof look brand new and attractive yet do its job efficiently.
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