EXPERT ADVICE

Owners of large buildings with flat roofs know that they don’t have the same natural drainage possibilities of sloped roofs, and need more regular maintenance. They might not know, however, that neglecting regular roof maintenance is one of the worst things a building owner can do.

Water is arguably one of the leading causes of accelerated aging on roofs, particularly flat roofs typical of large commercial and industrial buildings. Ponding water caused by rain, melted snow or leaking heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can contribute to the wearing down of the roof surface, leading to leaks, mold and decay.

It’s a well-known fact that moisture can lead to damage of materials. However, those in the roofing industry can take advantage of technology designed to detect moisture in spots that can’t easily be seen, allowing for damaged areas to be found more quickly and repaired. This technology is called thermal imaging. A thermal imaging camera…

Maintaining a roof is much like maintaining a car. If you purchase a car and never bring it to an autoshop for an oil change or to fix the brakes, it’s bound to fail. But if you make an effort to have it checked regularly, its life expectancy will lengthen and it will be far…