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Drainage on Low-Slope Commercial Roofs

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Positive water flow is an important design element of any flat or low-slope commercial roof. If you own or manage a typical commercial facility, it was likely constructed with one or more means of getting water off the rooftop, because standing water that doesn’t dissipate or drain quickly can cause serious problems.

There are three primary methods for commercial roof drainage, and, depending on its construction – including any additions over the years – your building may use one or more of them:

  • Interior drains. These are positioned in the interior of the roof surface. The design of the roof should include appropriate sloping so that water doesn’t accumulate but flows freely toward a drain. Rooftop drains are connected to a system of pipes that run through the interior of the building to ground level, where water is channeled away from the building. Alternatively, this roof drainage system can empty directly into the sewer system that the building connects to.
  • These openings in a roof’s vertical parapet walls channel rooftop water that is directed to the perimeter, to the outside of the building. Water runs through the scupper and into a collector box that’s mounted on the exterior wall and connected to a downspout that directs the flow to the ground. Again, the roof design should have sufficient slope to enable water to flow freely toward the scuppers.
  • Gutters on commercial facilities that don’t have parapets and scuppers are also common. Because of the roof surface area and volume of water that they must handle, commercial grade gutters tend to be wider than residential. Commercial gutter systems are also connected to downspouts that direct water away from the building and pedestrian areas.

If you and/or your maintenance crew are able to keep rooftop water flowing as necessary by keeping drainage systems clear, make that activity part of your normal building inspection routine. However, if your roof has sagged over time due to age or the weight of ponding water, additional professional help may be required. One fix may include enhancing the roof slope with crickets or tapered insulation to provide positive drainage. This is something an experienced commercial roof contractor should be able to do. More serious situations may require a solution from a structural engineer.

Regardless of your commercial roofing needs, Tusing Builders & Roofing Services stands ready to help. We would welcome the opportunity to serve you.

 

Commercial Roofing Maintenance in the Winter

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Don’t stop thinking about maintenance for your commercial roof when the calendar rolls around to winter. Your roof keeps your facility protected during this harsh weather season; return the favor and make sure it’s able to provide watertight protection. Here are some things to keep in mind with respect to winter roof maintenance.

Conduct occasional spot checks and inspections. This is especially important after a significant wind and/or precipitation event. Seemingly small problems can become big ones in the winter if water penetrates your roofing membrane and goes through multiple freeze and thaw cycles. In addition to membrane holes and cracks, keep an eye out for seams that may have developed gaps, especially around flashings and other transitions.

Your drains, gutters and downspouts need to be clear and running freely to carry water away from your building. Fall and winter storms can drop leaves and branches from nearby trees. This debris can clog drainage systems and when water doesn’t drain it can freeze and cause serious problems, including ice dams on shingled roofs. Make sure scuppers around your roof perimeter as well as drains on the rooftop are unblocked. Remember that falling branches can puncture roof membranes, so inspect for those issues as well.

Roof materials expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. Cold-weather stresses can compromise the integrity of membrane seams, create gaps in metal or plastic edging around the perimeter of your building and cause other problems. Your winter rooftop inspection should include documenting and repairing any issues along these lines.

When you’re on the rooftop be safe. A commercial roof can be hazardous in good weather, but it becomes much more so when it’s snow-covered and slippery.

If you’d like to leave your wintertime (or anytime) roof inspections to a professional, the roofing pros at Tusing Builders and Roofing Services would welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs with you. Please contact us at your convenience.

3 Reasons for Installing PVC Commercial Roofing

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PVC roofing is a popular choice for commercial facilities of all types throughout the US, for several reasons.

Here are three:

  1. Proven rooftop performance. PVC systems have been installed in the US since the 1970s, and some PVC roofs have been in place for 25 years or more. PVC roofing systems are durable and flexible and can handle a building’s normal expansion and contraction as seasons and temperatures vary. Appropriate for new and retrofit applications on all types of buildings, PVC roofing is an excellent product on roofs that are exposed to chemicals and other substances that can damage other materials. Restaurants in particular benefit from PVC because it’s highly resistant to grease that’s vented onto the rooftop. PVC membrane is also resistant to moisture, including ponding water, and doesn’t deteriorate in intense sunlight.
  2. Environmentally friendly. White and light-colored (“cool”) PVC roofing systems are highly reflective, meaning that less solar energy is conducted into the building on hot sunny days than with darker systems. For non-conditioned spaces (e.g. warehouses, agricultural buildings), this means a cooler, more productive work environment. For facilities with rooftop HVAC units, those systems will use less energy (therefore be more cost-effective) on hot days because the surrounding air temperature will be significantly lower than the temperature on a dark roof surface. In addition, PVC is recyclable. At the end of its rooftop life, PVC roofing systems can be made into other products. Some manufacturers have programs in place that take old roofs and recycle them into commercial flooring and other products.
  3. Flame resistant. PVC is made from two basic components: natural gas (typically) and salt. Although PVC does have a carbon content, it’s much lower than that of other types of commercial roof systems. Plus, the salt ingredient provides chlorine, which makes PVC roofing inherently flame resistant; once the source of the flame is removed, PVC membrane will not continue to burn. That means that less toxic gas is produced in a building fire than with other types of roofing. Although a commercial roof’s fire rating depends on many factors, a better fire rating may be easier to achieve with PVC roofing.

Although PVC roofing systems have many attributes that make them a great choice for virtually any commercial application, the quality of the installation comes down to the experience and ability of the roofing contractor doing the work. At Tusing Builders & Roofing Services we would welcome the opportunity to discuss our capabilities with you. Please contact us today!

 

Commercial Roofing and Winter

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Certainly, you don’t need a reminder that Winter officially arrives in Ohio in less than 6 weeks.

  • Do you KNOW what condition your roof is currently in?
  • When was the last time you performed an inspection?
  • Is your roof winter ready?
  • Do you have projects that got pushed off and need to be completed?

Winter exacerbates ANY current roof issue.

Gutters & Downspouts – Having a blockage of your drainage system can cause several issues. First, if water can’t properly drain, it could cause water to overflow onto nearby surfaces. This could increase the chance of slip and falls. Second, ice buildup is heavy on any drainage system. The weight of the ice can damage the building and will cause it to start pulling away from the roof. The third issue is icicle formation, which is hazardous for anyone walking below.

Condensation – Even the best-insulated roofs can experience condensation issues.  Any excess water on the roof can cause problems. As a result, mold, mildew, and structural damage can occur.  Inspecting all seams, drains, and ventilation is key.

Ohio Wind – Strong, gusty winds are not uncommon during the Fall and Winter months in Ohio. Inspecting your metal edge detail would be key to reducing the chances of the wind getting under the roof system and lifting it up.

Skylights – Once again, a buildup of snow and ice can be very detrimental to your daylighting systems.  If water penetrates the skylights or pools around the opening, it can damage your structure and the drywall.

Rooftop Stress – It seems that every year we hear a news story about a roof collapsing during the winter months. It seems extreme. It is one of those occurrences that you think will never happen to you. The roofs can only withstand so much weight. We’ll continue to encourage you to partake in routine roof maintenance.

 

We know there is a lot on your plate.  Don’t let the roof fall to the wayside. It has so much potential to stop your business in its tracks if not cared for properly.  Let us take care of your roofing needs for you.

Trust Tusing.  Call 866-584-2712.

What Your Commercial Roofing System Should Be

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Commercial roofing comes in many solutions, but just one isn’t ever perfect for all buildings. Exercise your due diligence, navigate through your options, and pick the perfect one.

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