Most commercial roofs are built to last a long time, but how long is their life expectancy? If you’ve recently purchased a building, you might wonder about the life expectancy of your commercial roof. Knowing this information can help you plan maintenance or prepare to have it replaced. The following can help you understand how long commercial roofs tend to last.
Factors That Affect the Life Expectancy of Your Commercial Roof
There’s no easy answer to the exact amount of time your commercial roof might last. The lifespan depends on a few different factors. Taking these factors into consideration can help you get a better idea of your commercial roof’s life expectancy.
Type of Roof
One of the most significant factors to consider is the type of roof your building has. Different types of commercial roofs have varying life expectancies. While some might last for a couple of decades, others can last for several. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and asphalt roofing systems typically have shorter life expectancies, but they generally last for a couple of decades.
Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing systems, which are common types of commercial roofs, can usually last for a few decades or more. Metal roofs have a longer life expectancy as well.
The amount of time your roof lasts also depends on the quality of roofing materials used during installation. No matter what type of commercial roof you have, higher-quality roofing materials often result in a longer life expectancy.
Roof Slope
The slope of your commercial roof also affects its life expectancy. A sloped roof allows rain and melted snow to flow into your gutter system. A flat roof can make it more difficult for rain and snow to flow to the ground. Instead, this precipitation might pool on your roof’s surface. When pooling isn’t addressed, this can lead to water damage, leaks, and a shortened life expectancy. A professional commercial roofer can solve this issue. They will inspect and assess the problems on the roof and ensure that appropriate drainage is in place and that pooling does not occur.
Roof Ventilation
Ventilation is another important factor affecting your commercial roof’s life expectancy. Having inadequate ventilation in your building’s attic and roof can lead to moisture problems and other damage. With this kind of damage, you might need to have your commercial roof replaced sooner rather than later.
Maintenance
Whether or not your commercial roof has had regular maintenance can affect how long it lasts. Commercial roofing that has had routine maintenance tends to last longer. Maintenance checks allow roofers to look for early signs of issues with your roof, then address them promptly. These check-ins help prevent minor issues from turning into larger ones.
With routine maintenance over the years, your commercial roof will be in better condition. For example, a leak that goes undetected for years can cause significant damage to your commercial roof.
Local Weather
Local climate and weather can significantly impact your commercial roof’s life expectancy. Exposure to severe weather, such as rainstorms, windy conditions, hail, and snowstorms, can put your roof at higher risk of sustaining damage. If this damage isn’t found and fixed, this can lead to a shorter lifespan. For some commercial roofs, exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause deterioration over time.
Installation
The quality of your roof installation can affect how long it lasts. A poorly installed commercial roof is much more likely to have problems that reduce its longevity. If possible, check for information on the original installation of your commercial roof. You can also schedule an inspection to have roofers look for problems due to poor installation.
Importance of Inspections
Inspections are an effective way to learn more about your commercial roof. When you schedule an inspection, local roofers can check every part of your roof and determine its condition overall. Roofers know what to look for and what kinds of repairs might be necessary to help your roof last longer.
If you haven’t had your roof inspected, set one up as soon as possible. This way, you’ll know approximately how old your roof is and when you might need to start planning on having it replaced.
Who to Call for Commercial Roofing Services
If you’re having problems with your commercial roof or need to have it inspected, finding a dependable roofer in Boise is essential. Point Roofing offers new roof installation, re-roofing, repairs, and other commercial roof services. Our roofers know how important it is to keep your commercial roof in good condition over the years. We can make timely repairs to your roof to help extend its life expectancy.
If you need to schedule an inspection, have repairs done, or replace your commercial roof, please contact Point Roofing. We offer reliable, high-quality roofing services in Boise.
