|
Properly maintaining your commercial soffits and fascia will protect your roof and the structural integrity of your building. When these building components are neglected, the roof is subject to leaking and costly water damage. Through simple preventative maintenance, you can identify and remedy problems before they become costly repairs. Areas to Watch on Commercial Roofs Commercial roofs are subject to moisture problems just as residential buildings are. These problems are likely to be found in several areas of the roof: • Soffits. The exposed surface of the underside portion of the roof that overhang the building, known as soffits, are vented with small holes to help air circulation in the attic or between the roof and the ceiling of the building. On flat roofs, common in commercial structures where there is little overhang, a moisture barrier helps control airflow. Regardless of the configuration of your roof, it is important to have ventilation systems to pull moisture away. If there are no soffits, this may be done through vents on the roof. Regular inspections will assure that vents or the soffits are free of blockages. • Fascia. On a pitched roof, the fascia covers the ends of the roof boards and serves as a protective layer between the material and the outdoors. On a flat commercial roof, the fascia provides a seal for the roof edge to prevent water from leaking at the point where the roof attaches to the building. Wind can blow off the fascia while hard rain and snow can penetrate the seams. An inspection will reveal weaknesses in fascia and replace missing pieces. • Flashing. To protect your building from leakage around chimneys, skylights, air conditioning units, vents, and other breaks in the roof, flashing seals the area with a metal and sealants. If wind, weather, or aging disrupts the seal, you can experience leaks, dampness, and mold and mildew. • Gutters. Gutters are attached to the fascia to direct water from rain and melting snow away from the roof and down to the ground. Their positioning makes them susceptible to debris, leaves, and even granules of roof covering, which can clog the gutters and prevent them from doing their jobs. They are also subject to extreme weather that can blow them off, and in the winter, to ice dams that occur when backed up ice and snow get trapped in gutters and lead to roof leaks. Protecting Commercial Soffits and Fascia As the owner of a commercial building, you must be vigilant about letting excess water or snow remain on your roof, as cracks or worn spots in the roof coating can make way for water to enter the building. After a storm, you should call in a professional to examine the conditions and to remove debris, ice, and snow, and fix any loose or missing flashing or fascia. Regularly inspecting your property's roofing components can be a big task, especially for large buildings and warehouses. If your maintenance crew is unable to perform these tasks, it is a wise investment to hire a professional - particularly after periods of storms, heavy rain or snow. At least every six months have a roof inspection to examine the general condition of your commercial soffits and fascia to prevent leaks and costly water damage.
Related Articles -
commercial soffits, commercial fascia, roofing finishes, gutter installation, soffit installation, fascia installation,
| 
