The summer sun beats down on your commercial roof day after day. As temperatures climb into the 90s and beyond, your roof works overtime to protect your business below. But over time, all that heat can take its toll on your roof’s materials and structural integrity. Left unchecked, heat damage to your roof can lead to leaks, mold growth, and even roof failure.
During hot summer months, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs of heat stress on your commercial roof. There are three main indicators that your roof is suffering under high temperatures: missing or damaged shingles, shrinking and blistering of roof materials, and mold growth. Being aware of these common forms of heat damage can help you address problems quickly, before they escalate into major roof repairs or replacement.
With some preventative maintenance and smart roofing solutions like reflective coatings, you can help your commercial roof stay cool under pressure. Read on to learn more about how summer heat impacts roofing and how to safeguard your roof from damage. With the right approach, your roof can beat the heat.
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Missing or Damaged Shingles
Heat causes asphalt shingles to dry out and lose their initial flexibility, making them brittle and prone to cracking over time. The sun beats down on the roof day after day, baking the shingles and gradually making them more rigid. This causes the shingles to become more fragile and start flaking apart. Pieces may break off or cracks can form across their surface.
Powerful summer storms can also damage heat-weakened shingles. High winds lift and peel shingles that have dried out from heat exposure. Storms blast the roof with heavy rains that get driven into any new cracks or separations between shingles. This allows water to seep in and compromise the integrity of the entire roof over time. Any shingles already loosened by heat have a higher chance of being ripped off entirely during summer storms.
The combination of summer heat and storms takes a major toll on asphalt shingle roofs. Homeowners may notice missing or split shingles after a sweltering summer or bad thunderstorm. This damage will only spread if not repaired quickly.
Shrinking & Blistering
Asphalt shingles are susceptible to high temperatures, which can cause them to melt or blister. The asphalt composition of the shingles softens under intense heat, leading the shingles to warp and bubble up. This blistering creates openings where water can seep in and compromise the roof deck underneath.
Additionally, as the shingles dry out in the hot weather and shrink, they may buckle and lose their original shape. This makes them appear unattractive, as they become wavy and misshapen. The shrinkage also opens up gaps between shingles that should be tightly sealed. Wind-driven rain can penetrate these gaps and cause leakage.
The degradation of the shingles not only detracts from the appearance of the roof, but more importantly leads to increased vulnerability. Blistered and shrunken shingles have a shorter lifespan, requiring earlier replacement. The openings also make the roof more susceptible to water infiltration and interior damage. Preventing heat damage keeps your roof looking uniform and intact while avoiding costly repairs down the road.
Mold Damage
High heat combined with humidity provides the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew growth on commercial roofs. When water accumulates and pools on your roof surface and gutters due to poor drainage during hot rainy periods, the standing water enables mold colonies to thrive.
Mold release spores as part of their reproductive cycle that travel through the air. When these spores land on a damp roof surface, they germinate and grow, spreading rapidly. Mold can leave ugly black or green stains on your roof. But more concerning is the damage mold does to the roof structure itself.
Mold growth leads to rot as the colonies digest and break down the organic roofing materials. This deterioration compromises the integrity of the roof deck and sheathing. Prolonged moisture exposure causes the wood to warp and decay. Signs of a serious mold problem include soft, crumbly areas and water stains on interior ceilings and walls.
If left unchecked, mold weakens the roof structure resulting in leakage points. To avoid the health hazards and prevent further destruction, any accumulated moisture allowing for mold growth needs to be quickly eliminated. Proper roof slope, gutter maintenance and ventilation helps keep the roof surface dry and restrict mold development. But once established, mold removal requires disinfecting and in some cases roofing replacement.
Harness the Sun with Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on your commercial roof can help reduce heat absorption during the summer months. Solar panels act as a protective layer and heat deflector for the roof surface below. There are two main types of solar panels to consider:
Photovoltaic Solar Panels
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. The PV cells in the panels absorb photons from sunlight and generate an electric current. The more sunlight that hits the panels, the more electricity is produced. Using PV panels helps reduce your electricity bills by providing renewable power. They also reduce the building’s dependence on grid electricity, which is beneficial for emergency preparedness.
Solar Thermal Collectors
Solar thermal collectors absorb sunlight to heat water or air. They transfer the solar heat to a storage tank for later use. Common applications include heating potable water for domestic or commercial use. Solar thermal systems can reduce water heating bills. They work well in combination with PV panels to maximize solar energy utilization.
Installing solar panels on a commercial roof provides multiple benefits beyond cooling the interior. With strategic placement, they can reduce heat absorption through the roof while also generating clean electricity and hot water. Consult with a solar contractor to determine the best system design and installation process.
Roof Gardens
If you own a flat commercial roof, one option for creating some shade during the hot summer months is installing a roof garden. Adding vegetation to your roof can provide several benefits:
- Plants and greenery help deflect sunlight and heat. By providing shade, a roof garden can help keep your building cooler.
- The garden insulation acts as an extra protective layer over the roof surface, shielding it from temperature extremes and UV rays.
- Roof gardens allow rainwater to be absorbed by the plants and soil rather than running off the roof. This eases the load on storm drains while filtering out pollutants.
- A planted roof helps capture airborne dust and particulates, improving local air quality. It also helps offset carbon emissions.
- Green roofs support biodiversity by providing habitat for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
When installing a roof garden, use drought tolerant plants that can thrive in hot, dry conditions. Sedums, succulents, perennials, and ornamental grasses are good options. Proper installation is also key, including building up several layers such as a root barrier, drainage system, growing medium, and an irrigation system to supplement natural rainfall during dry periods. With the right design and plant selection, a roof garden can provide welcome shade and cooling.
Spray Foam Roofing Provides Cooling and Durability
Spray foam roofing is an excellent option for commercial buildings looking to protect against summer heat. The foam contains aluminum particles that reflect UV rays, helping maintain comfortable temperatures and reduce energy costs for cooling.
When sprayed on, the foam forms a seamless membrane covering the entire roof surface. With no joints or seams, the foam completely seals the roof from leaks. It can be applied to new roofs or used to coat existing materials like concrete, wood, and metal. The foam works on flat or domed roofs.
Polyurethane foam roofing systems flex with the expansion and contraction of the building structure. The foam remains tightly bonded to the roof surface over time, shielding it from environmental factors. High winds, rain, sunshine and other weather is handled by the durable foam membrane.
Foam also allows proper drainage as rainwater easily runs off into drains. Overall, spray foam is a great roofing solution for commercial buildings looking for cooling, leak protection and longevity. The seamless application and durability make it an ideal choice.
UV Ray Deflection
One major benefit of spray foam roofing is its ability to deflect UV rays and maintain a comfortable temperature. The foam contains tiny aluminum particles that reflect sunlight away from the roof. This helps reduce the amount of heat that reaches your roof and building interior. With less heat penetrating inside, you’ll spend less money trying to cool your commercial space. The aluminum particles act like a natural heat shield, providing a protective barrier between your roof and the sun’s intense rays.
By keeping temperatures down, a spray foam roof promotes energy efficiency and can lower your electricity bills. The cooling effect also reduces strain on your HVAC system, as it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain indoor climate control. The foam’s insulating properties mean the interior stays pleasantly cool even during the hottest summer days. With spray foam roofing, you get the combined benefits of UV ray deflection and improved insulation for more comfortable temperatures and reduced energy costs. The aluminum particles make a dramatic difference in dissipating the sun’s heat.
Seamless Membrane Prevents Leaks
Spray foam roofing provides seamless coverage across the entire roof surface when applied, forming a single protective layer with no joints or seams. This seamless membrane seals off the roof completely, effectively preventing leaks that could be caused by gaps, cracks or openings.
The foam can conform to the exact shape of the roof, covering it completely regardless of the type of roof or any complex architectural features. Since there are no weak spots or unfinished edges, moisture has no way to seep through. Leaks typically occur when water finds an entry point, but the hermetic seal created by the seamless foam membrane leaves no vulnerabilities.
By installing a spray foam roof, building owners can protect against costly damage from leaks. Rain and melting snow will simply run off the membrane without any penetration. This comprehensive, seamless coverage gives commercial buildings long-lasting leak protection under all weather conditions. Facility managers can have peace of mind knowing there are no cracks or unfinished seams that could allow water ingress leading to interior damage.
Conclusion
To recap, extreme heat can severely damage commercial roofs in a variety of ways. Missing or cracked shingles, shrinking and blistering asphalt, and mold growth are three critical signs of heat damage. To protect your roof, consider installing solar panels or a roof garden for shade and cooling. Spray foam roofing is another excellent heat-resistant option, with benefits like UV ray deflection, a seamless protective membrane, and improved drainage. With preventative maintenance and the right solutions, like those outlined here, you can keep your roof safe from harsh summer conditions. The key is being proactive and addressing any issues immediately, before small problems turn into expensive repairs. Don’t let the heat take a toll on your commercial space. With some forethought and smart roofing choices, you can maintain the integrity and function of your roof for years to come.
