Gutter Care Is an Essential Piece of Winter Commercial Roof Maintenance
Winter is a harsh period for any roofing system. However, commercial roofs may be particularly susceptible to issues as snow builds, temperatures fluctuate, and ice strains any vulnerabilities in your roofing system. While there is a lot that goes into commercial roof maintenance during the winter, gutter care may be the single most important thing to prevent severe winter roofing issues.
As leading Omaha commercial roofers, our team at Anchor Roofing strongly emphasizes the critical importance of good roof maintenance. That means caring not just for the surface of your roof, but every component of the roofing system as a whole—including vents, gutters, and more. Here’s why gutter maintenance is so critical in preparing a commercial roof for winter.
Drainage: The Key for Commercial Roofs
No matter what time of year it is, proper drainage is one of the top priorities for commercial roofing systems. This is because commercial roofs tend to be flat or low-slope in their structure, a design used for practical purposes that can create challenges when it comes to the flow of water off of the roof.
Without proper drainage, commercial roofs can experience a wide range of issues. Most commonly, poor drainage will lead to water accumulating on the roof and, over time, seeping through weak points in seams to create leaks. This can drastically shorten the lifespan of your commercial roofing system.
Commercial Gutter Systems
Any professional commercial roofer will understand the importance of roof drainage and will ensure this is accounted for. While drainage systems may vary, commercial gutter systems are a common choice as this allows for a high degree of control over where water flows.
Most often, commercial gutter systems will use either K-style or box gutters, with the latter being more common overall. Both styles allow for a high volume of rainwater to flow from the roof, which is important due to the typical surface area of commercial roofing systems.
Commercial Gutter Maintenance: What Is Needed?
While it’s critically important, commercial gutter maintenance isn’t terribly complicated. Generally speaking, the most important maintenance tasks commercial property owners should complete are cleaning and inspections.
Inspections ensure the entire system is functioning properly and no severe damage has occurred. Cleaning gutters ensures dirt, leaves, and other debris doesn’t build up, enabling water to flow efficiently throughout the drainage system.
The Consequences of Poor Commercial Gutter Maintenance
Commercial gutter maintenance is essential for ensuring your roofing system is protected. What happens when maintenance is neglected, however?
Well, as mentioned earlier, poor drainage can lead to ponding water, leaks, and other problems. Issues with moisture and leaks are one of the leading factors in premature commercial roof replacements. However, in the winter, problems as a result of poor commercial gutter maintenance will compound and become significantly worse for one major reason: ice.
When gutters don’t function properly in the winter, ice is typically the result. Gutters that fail to remove water quickly enough will become clogged with ice, which causes backups and damage. Ice expands, meaning it can cause damage wherever it may be. This includes cracking gutter systems or freezing in large sheets that may cause damage to the surface of your roof. In some cases, backed-up ice may push away gutters or even cause large portions of the gutter system to tear away and cause major damage to your commercial property.
Schedule a Full Commercial Roof Assessment with the Experts at Anchor Roofing
At Anchor Roofing, our commercial team is renowned for our thorough inspections that leave no portion of your roofing system overlooked. Beyond the roof’s surface, we assess the interior of your commercial building and the full drainage system to ensure maximum performance and longevity.
As winter approaches, proper commercial roof and gutter maintenance is paramount. Make sure your roof is ready for the season. Reach out to Anchor Roofing to book a full inspection.