Chill Out: Don't Let Winter Give You Roofing Headaches

By Cayden Wemple. 

For winter weather protection on commercial roofs, follow these three steps for preventive maintenance! 

It’s always a good idea to prepare your roof for extreme winter weather. When the cold months hit, it's necessary to install a preventative weatherization process. Doing this can save you thousands of dollars on future repairs. We can break down the process in three easy steps courtesy of ICP Building Solutions: 

1. Perform a deep cleaning of the roof.  

To maintain a waterproof roof, it is essential to keep all water channels free from any kind of debris. These channels are responsible for draining rain and snowmelt from the roof, and if they are obstructed, it can result in an accumulation of water, causing dangerous roof load conditions and even damaging roof leaks.  

Gutters: It is important to remove any plant debris that may have accumulated in the gutters, which can block water flow. 

Downspouts: Checking the downspouts is crucial to ensure that there are no obstructions hindering the flow of water. A simple way to confirm this is by using a hose to verify that the water is flowing freely through the downspouts. 

Scuppers: Just like the gutters, it is essential to remove any plant or windblown debris that may have collected in the scuppers. This will prevent the water from flowing off the roof. 

Field drains: Field drains should be cleaned and their screens should be replaced regularly. 

2. Conduct an inspection 

After cleaning the roof, the next step is to conduct a comprehensive inspection to check for any signs of deterioration, storm damage, splits, cracks, pulling, tenting or fish mouthing. It is essential to inspect several key areas to ensure the roof is in good condition. These areas include scuppers, drains, curbs, base flashings, penetrations, field seams, coping caps, gutters and downspouts. By inspecting each of these areas, you can identify any potential problems that may cause damage to the roof and address them promptly to prevent any further damage. 

3. Make sure to use a high-quality roofing material 

Once you have located the areas that need repair, it is essential to ensure that high-quality roofing materials are used, and that they are compatible with the roofing membrane. It is crucial to use the 4 Ps method to achieve a long-lasting result. 

Prep: Ensure that the repair area is both clean and dry before proceeding with the repair. 

Prime: If necessary, apply the suitable primer to ensure a strong bond. 

Patch: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to complete the repair properly.  

Protect: In case the repair materials need extra protection against UV rays. 

Identify potential roof issues before winter hits to avoid emergency repairs during extreme weather conditions. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory. 

About Cayden   

Cayden is a reporter for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When he isn’t writing about roofs, he’s usually playing guitar or writing songs for his musical endeavors.