A commercial roof replacement can be a costly investment. You want to save your commercial roof, but sometimes, the damage adds up, and putting off a replacement might only cause more damage in the long term. With a decent lifespan, it can be easy to forget about regular commercial roof maintenance and asset loss prevention, but if you live in an area that is particularly prone to rough weather, like Kentucky, that lifespan could be noticeably reduced. At ABR Construction, we understand that deciding to replace your commercial roof is a major investment, which is why we’re taking the time to break down the factors that go into a roof replacement.

Replacement or repair?

While it can be tempting to simply perform a repair on your commercial roof and move on, what looks like a simple repair on the surface might be a sign of deeper, substantial damage.

• The age of your commercial roof is an important factor in deciding whether a repair will suffice. The typical roof lasts anywhere from 10-30 years, or sometimes longer, depending on the style of roof you have. If your roof is already nearing the end of its lifespan, and you detect an issue, you’re likely facing a commercial roof replacement job.
• Regular roof maintenance can help catch issues before they amount to something more serious. The cost upfront can safeguard against larger costs later.

What should I look for?

We recommend checking your roof at least twice a year to prolong the life of your commercial roof. However, we recommend performing additional surveys after severe weather, like a significant windstorm, to catch tears or debris as soon as it happens to minimize lasting damage.

• Water damage is perhaps one of the most important factors to look out for. This can involve both the exterior and interior of your commercial roof. Watch out for a damaged membrane or lifted/missing shingles if this applies to your roof and inspect the roof deck. Water can get up under shingles to the more sensitive parts of your roof, seep down, and cause internal damage.
• If water has permeated deep into the structure of your roof, you may notice leaks. Leaking inside the building is usually a tell-tell sign it’s time for a commercial roof replacement.

Other important signs

Even if your commercial roof isn’t extensively damaged, it may simply be worn down from use. One sign it’s time for a commercial roof replacement lies in your energy bills. If you find your heating and cooling costs have been increasing over the years, then this might be the fault of your roof breaking down. Commercial roofing is designed to deflect solar light and help maintain a consistent temperature inside your building. If you find this is a costly issue, you might consider upgrading to a commercial roof with a reflective top layer in the future.

Prevention is key

Preventative roof maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of an untimely commercial roof replacement. Hiring a local contractor to perform regular roof maintenance checks on your commercial roof can help cut costs and ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment.

Contact Us

At ABR Construction, we offer an array of commercial roofing services, from consulting to construction to maintenance. Contact us or call us at (859) 254-2866 to schedule a consultation. We are locally owned and operated for over 40 years, based in Nicholasville, KY, but always proud to serve the Danville, Richmond, Mount Sterling, Georgetown, Hazard, Pikeville, Somerset, Liberty, and London, KY areas.