Preparing your commercial roof for a storm helps ensure adequate protection against storm elements, including heavy rain, hail, and damaging winds. The storm preparation checklist below will guide you through checking for current roof issues, fixing them, and reducing the risk of future damage.
Storm preparation checklist for commercial roofs
- Get a professional roof inspection before storm season and make any necessary repairs to ensure the integrity of your roof system.
- Clear roof drains, gutters, and scuppers of debris to prevent water accumulation.
- Secure rooftop equipment, including HVAC units, fans, pipes, signs, and other roofing accessories, with manufacturer-approved strapping and fasteners.
- Remove any loose items from your roof and around the property, such as debris, furniture, or other materials that can be blown around by the wind.
- Repair loose roofing material, broken seams, or missing or damaged flashings.
- Trim trees and bushes to remove overhead branches.
- Take photographs or videos of the current state of the building and roof exterior for insurance claims documentation.
- Review your commercial property insurance policy so you know what’s covered, what’s not covered, how much your deductible is, and how to start a claim.
How to protect your commercial roof from storm damage
Storm preparation actually begins long before you take the steps above. Choosing the right roofing materials, insulation, and vapor barrier will help protect your building from storm damage and roof leaks.
Roofing materials
Spring storms often carry hail and strong winds. To protect your building, its occupants, and its contents, choose a durable commercial roofing material that withstands the elements. Impact-resistant roofing materials are specially reinforced to provide additional protection against storm damage.
Roof insulation
Having the proper amount of roof insulation helps improve occupant comfort and reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling. The Wisconsin commercial building code requires a minimum R-value of 30, which means you need 5-7 inches of polyiso insulation above the roof deck.
Vapor barrier
A vapor barrier protects the building’s interior from leaks and moisture intrusion through the roof deck. A Class I or II vapor barrier is required on the underside of a building’s roof deck. Class I provides the most moisture protection, while Class II is designed to help facilitate drying and is more permeable.
Storm damage: What to look for
After the storm is over, and it’s safe to do so, check the building for these signs of storm damage on a commercial roof:
- Large debris on the roof, such as tree branches
- Torn or punctured roof membrane
- Bubbles or blisters in the membrane
- Damaged or missing flashings around penetrations
- Standing water
- Dents in metal roofing or roof components
- Shingle granule loss
- Lifting or damaged membrane seams
- Gutter or scupper damage
- Interior signs of a roof leak, such as:
- Stained ceilings and walls
- Wet insulation
- Peeling paint
- Dripping
Whether it’s before or after a storm, the team at New Roofs is here to help you prepare for and recover from winter and spring storms. Our experts will inspect your roof, document any issues, and provide competitive pricing so you can make the best decision for your building and budget. Get started by contacting us today.