As a business owner, you need to take a different approach to the building that you own or manage than a homeowner would. You can’t just be thinking about its current status as you need to be thinking about its future as well – if not for yourself then for the investors or owners of the building. After all, you want it to give you as many years of trouble-free use as possible. If you take a look at historic commercial buildings, you’ll see that we’ve come a long way in terms of how we approach design and construction. In the past, there was no need for cabling for telephone and internet connections, but now you’ll find them everywhere. The same can be said for CCTV and security systems. Have you wondered how the world of tomorrow will shape your commercial building roof? If changing weather patterns are anything to go by, a little extra work when reroofing now could save you thousands in commercial roofing contractors fees in the future. Here’s what this means for you.
- Changing Conditions
Since 1909, the average temperature in New Zealand has increased by a degree. While this might not seem significant, it has an impact on weather patterns we’ll experience in the future. Overall, we’ll be experiencing hotter and dryer days, with more hours of sunshine and less frost. On top of this, glaciers will melt at a faster rate, which will increase sea levels and could lead to more extreme rainfall patterns and more violent winds. All these elements could mean that your current roof – which has been built with moderate conditions in mind – is poorly prepared for the weather to come. While dramatic flooding and weather catastrophes are unlikely to occur, that doesn’t mean the changing weather won’t cause significant damage – unless you take steps to prevent it now.
- Protecting Against Fire
There are many steps you can take to protect your commercial building from future fire risk, and your roof plays an important role in all of them. For starters, make it a habit to keep your gutters clear of flammable materials such as dead leaves and accumulated debris and ensure that the area surrounding your commercial building is free from flammable elements. You should also make sure that surrounding trees and vegetation are pruned frequently so that if a fire does occur, it can’t easily spread to your roof from above or from below. Lastly, if you previously had your roofing wholly or in part made from flammable material like timber, it’s a good idea to switch to a material that isn’t flammable, such as a steel one. If you’re concerned that this won’t look as good as timber, you should take a look at Coloursteel roofing to see how attractive this can look.
- Protecting Against Wind
Many building owners have assumed that they have had their roofs installed by a professional – until a wind storm proves them wrong. While the materials used to construct your roof aren’t as relevant here, the quality of construction is. Flat roofs are more likely to blow away in a storm than traditional pitched ones. Areas that frequently get damaged or give way in strong winds include battens, sheets, trusses and tiles, and these will only get looser if they’ve rusted (due to lack of maintenance) or weren’t secured properly. A commercial roofing contractor will understand your risk based on your location and building type and make the necessary adjustments when reroofing your building.
- Protecting Against Hail And Rain
Storms come with a double helping of trouble – as unrelenting rain is accompanied by hail quite frequently. If your roof is particularly old, it’s existing waterproofing membranes might no longer be as robust as they used to be – mainly if they weren’t installed correctly in the first place. You’ll usually know about this when you start seeing telltale damp patches on your ceiling, but at this stage, the leak has been occurring for some time. Leave this for even longer, and you could develop electrical and wiring issues from the water going where it shouldn’t be going – and this could lead to you having to replace much more than your roof, at a much higher cost than you originally anticipated paying.
If your roof is aluminium, asphalt, vinyl or timber, it’s likely to sustain damage during a hailstorm, which can cause denting and paint chipping and lead to warping and corrosion in some or more of its parts. It’s best to have your entire roof structure inspected during the reroofing process so that you can take the necessary steps to prevent damage.
- Don’t Forget About Insurance
Major ‘acts of god’ never occur with a warning – which means that many commercial business owners end up with significant roofing damage before their buildings can be reroofed or replaced. When this happens, and you need repairs, it’s critical that you don’t try to cut corners and go with a commercial roofing contractor that promises the lowest prices or to repair your roof in an unbelievably short period. These kinds of contractors tend to be unlicensed and therefore, uninsured. Should your property get damaged during repairs or someone gets hurt, you could find your business liable for the claim. What’s even worse is that by using an unlicensed contractor, you could void any insurance you have for the building, leaving you high and dry. This situation isn’t a risk worth taking when you can find reliable and trustworthy roofing contractors in New Zealand.
Why take a chance – with unreliable contractors or unexpected climate change – when you can protect yourself today? Archer Roofing is a fully licensed and insured commercial roofing contractor who can replace your commercial building roof – if you need it – or repair it as necessary. If you have any concerns about your roof’s ability to withstand future storms or other natural disasters, they’ll be able to guide you in making a decision that gives you peace of mind. Contact us today for assistance with all your commercial roofing needs.