Is Restoration Possible For Your Commercial Roof?

Roof maintenance is essential for any safe and stable building. No matter what damage your commercial roof has accumulated, there are several things to consider that will help you determine if it’s time to restore your roof. At Pinnacle Roofing, our team has the expertise to assess how to keep your roof in pristine condition. Here’s our guide for knowing whether it’s possible to restore your commercial roof.

What Is Commercial Roof Restoration?

Let’s start with the basics. The goal of roof restoration is to use as much of the existing roofing material as possible. Layers and materials that are rotted, punctured, or damaged will need to be replaced. However, the idea is to do this as little as possible without risking further damage to the building. It’s environmentally friendly, economical, and can add to your roof’s life expectancy. 

This has become a popular service because there are many circumstances where restoration is the smarter option. In some instances, the rooftop’s condition has deteriorated past the point of restoration and a full replacement is required. A restoration works well for damage from an environmental event like a fire, wind, hail, or water damage.

A Few Things to Consider

If there are only a few areas with damage, those sections can be repaired without a full roof replacement. A commercial roof restoration can address many different problems. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether a roof restoration is right for you:

• Condition—If your roof is old but still structurally sound, it can be restored for future use.
• Cost—If your roof is still in decent working condition, a roof restoration will cover any minor problems while keeping the costs low.
• Project Turnaround Time—A restoration requires less time-consuming labor and is less disruptive for building tenants. In addition to a quick repair time, it also lowers labor costs.
• Tax Benefit—A commercial building roof restoration can be classified as a maintenance expenditure on your taxes. Unlike a replacement roof, which is considered a capital expense.
• Lifetime—With proper maintenance, a restored roof can last for years to come. While there are several options for roof restoration materials, if you decide to use a coating application, a roof can be re-coated every 10 years to maintain its condition. Other material options that may vary in longevity include metal, EPDM or TPO, built-up, and modified bitumen.

Other Questions to Ask

Along with all the considerations above, there are a few other questions to ask when determining whether roof restoration is possible. These include:

• What percentage of the scrim is exposed?
• What percentage of fasteners are backing out?
• What percentage of insulation is wet?
• How many existing roof systems are present?
• Over what percentage of the roof is there ponding water? Is this because of a slope issue?
• Are there severely rusted metal panels that make the roof unsafe to walk on? 
• Is there an aluminized coating?

Benefits of Roof Restoration

Receiving a roof restoration at the right time can save up to half the cost of a complete replacement. It can also save you the disruption to your business and the landfill waste created in the process. Other restoration benefits include:

• Stops leaks and brings roof back to a watertight condition
• A seamless, fully adhered roof surface
• Liquid-applied and field-fabricated
• Offers reflective and customized color selections depending on the climate
• Sustainable with options to extend life past warranty
• Extends the life and warranty of a roof

Restoration vs. Replacement

If restoration is not a viable option, a better alternative would be to seek a roof replacement instead. This can be the case if the roof’s structure has been compromised due to water absorption, erosion, and severe rust if the roof is metal. You may also require a roof replacement if the wrong roofing material or application was used when the roof was originally installed. Some signs that your roof needs a replacement include:

• Roof age, typically between 20-30 years old
• Curling, splitting, and buckling of the existing membrane
• Leaks throughout the roof causing soft spots and wet insulation
• Daylight can be seen through the membrane and around penetrations
• Scrim reinforcement visible
• Deteriorating flashings

It’s also important to consider the time of year you get a roof replacement. A replacement roof is best installed during the summer. This is because the materials usually need time to dry.

Building owners and facility managers can easily assume roof replacement as being the only alternative for a problematic roof. When that happens, they are urged to look at various bids received for the project, and just consider the difference between the highest and lowest as their project savings.

By not receiving the correct facts and evidence about reliable restoration systems that could be viable watertight options, commercial roofs are often replaced before the roof’s useful life has been fully depleted, leaving money on the table. Roof replacement is a useful alternative, but it’s important to consider the potential for restoration when making decisions about your property.

Transform your property with Pinnacle Roofing and Restoration

Our team specializes in providing the highest quality roofing and restoration services and products in Memphis and throughout the Mid-South. We care about your property and the quality of our work, and we do whatever it takes to get the job done to your satisfaction. Whether you need a few simple roof repairs done, have an emergency that requires immediate care, or need an entire roof replacement, Pinnacle’s roofing and restoration pros are for you! For a FREE estimate, get in touch with us today.