Maintaining the condition of your commercial roofing is critical when it comes to protecting your commercial space against water damage. A neglected roof can easily allow water to infiltrate your commercial building, resulting in the formation of mold and mildew and putting your assets at risk of being damaged by leaking water. One of the easiest things that you can do to maintain your commercial roof is to take the time to regularly clear any debris from the surface of the roof.
Roof debris might appear to be just a minor annoyance at first, but debris can cause major roofing issues in the future if it's not taken care of quickly.
1. Mold
Mold is dangerous to both your commercial roofing system and the health of your customers and employees. Debris that accumulates on the surface of your roof will begin to trap moisture. This trapped moisture creates the ideal environment for mold to begin growing. Certain types of mold can be very dangerous to a person's health. Breathing in toxic mold spores could cause serious respiratory issues to develop over time.
Mold growth on the surface of your roof can also be detrimental. The mold can actually start to break down your commercial roofing materials, leaving your roof vulnerable to more serious damage over time. The best way to prevent any mold-related issues from affecting your roof is to remove any debris before it can accumulate and begin trapping moisture on the surface of your roof.
2. Pests
Debris on your roof can attract a host of unwanted pests. Animals like squirrels and raccoons can be attracted to rooftop debris. A pile of debris creates the perfect home for small animals and birds. These pests have the potential to wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your roof. Some pests have sharp teeth and claws that can tear through your roofing materials with ease. Others leave behind waste that can cause your roofing materials to break down and deteriorate.
You don't want pests to start living on the roof of your commercial building. Regularly removing any debris that has started to accumulate on the roof will help prevent pests from seeking refuge on your roof in the future.
3. Leaks
Any debris that remains stuck on your commercial roof can contribute to the development of leaks over time. As moisture starts to accumulate within the debris, the roofing materials below can start to deteriorate. Water will begin leaking into your building through these weakened areas.
Some of the debris that lands on your roof can be flushed into your building's rain gutters. If the rain gutters become clogged, your roof cannot drain properly. Water will begin to pool on your roof, increasing the potential for leaks. Removing all debris from your commercial roof on a regular basis will help you avoid the costly service associated with repairing a leaky roof.
4. Fire
Leaves, sticks, branches, and other organic debris that gets trapped on your commercial roof can start to dry out over time. The drier these organic materials become, the more of a threat they become to your commercial building. Dry debris can easily contribute to a structural fire. Any stray embers or a spark caused by lightning could cause a dried debris pile to go up in flames. The fire can quickly spread throughout your commercial space.
Fires cause a significant amount of damage and could be costly for your company to recover from. You can avoid the stress and financial burdens that come with a structural fire by taking the time to remove debris from your commercial roof on a regular basis.
Reach out to a commercial roofing professional like one at Tectum Roofing for help with your roof.
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