Avoid These Common Commercial Roofing Mistakes
Commercial roofing systems are designed to be durable and protect commercial properties for years. However, they aren’t impervious to damage, and they require specialized care to effectively maintain. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen, and some easy or common commercial roofing errors can greatly reduce the lifespan of your roof.
At Skyline Contracting, the goal of our commercial roofing team is to help business owners get as much as possible from their roofing system. Sadly, many times when we’ve been called in to repair or replace a commercial roof, we’ve found that the damage was caused by entirely avoidable situations. So to help property owners prevent these types of situations, we’re sharing the most common commercial roofing mistakes.
Using the Wrong Materials or Products 
A commercial roof is more than just the surface material that forms the first layer of protection. Instead, it should be thought of as a complete system that works together to protect your commercial property from harm.
One of the most common commercial roofing mistakes we’ve run into throughout our time in the industry is quite simple: previous roofers using the wrong products for the job.
For example, a golden rule in commercial roofing is to never use asphalt products to repair a single-ply membrane such as TPO, EPDM, or PVC. These materials are simply incompatible with each other, and using them together is likely to cause issues.
Other common problems would be using the wrong types of fasteners, flashings, or drainage systems for the roof in question. While these may all seem like simple mistakes, they can lead to major problems if they go unnoticed.
Incomplete Inspections
The large scale of commercial roofing systems can sometimes lead to roofers failing to complete a thorough inspection, resulting in preventable issues slipping through the cracks.
A thorough commercial roof inspection will do more than just look over the surface of your roof. If your roofer is a true professional, they’ll look at the entire roofing system, inside and out, paying particularly close attention to known weak points.
Hiring an Inexperienced Roofer 
While using the wrong material or overlooking damage seem like pretty easy mistakes to avoid, we still see these problems fairly frequently. The most likely culprit? Choosing a roofer that lacks enough commercial roofing experience to know better.
Commercial roofing systems are complex, and no matter what material is installed on your roof, your commercial roofer should know how to effectively repair and maintain that specific type of roofing system. The best way to ensure your roofer won’t make common mistakes is to ask about their time in the industry and ensure they have direct experience working with that type of roof.
Damage from Other Contractors
Of course, it isn’t just roofers who will need to spend time on your roof on occasion. Other key equipment, such as HVAC units, are frequently installed on commercial roofing systems, and the technicians who maintain these systems will need direct access.
This can sometimes lead to roofing issues, as other contractors may not have the specialized knowledge to avoid accidentally causing damage while installing items on your roof. For example, our team recently repaired a commercial roof after a sign company had poked dozens of holes through the walls and roof of the building.
While this is somewhat of an extreme example, it’s a good practice to have a commercial roofer inspect your roof after other contractors have installed equipment or completed repairs.
Infrequent Maintenance
While many commercial roofing mistakes are the fault of other contractors, perhaps the most common mistake made by business owners and property managers is simply not scheduling maintenance frequently enough.
Commercial roofs require regular care to ensure they last as long as they should. This includes annual inspections, cleaning, and proactive repairs. When roofs go years without so much as an inspection, any damage is free to worsen, compound, and lead to roof leaks.
Skyline Contracting Can Help You Avoid Commercial Roofing Issues
Our team at Skyline Contracting specializes in complete, comprehensive commercial roof maintenance that will ensure no damage on your roof goes overlooked. Our team is dedicated to providing cost-effective solutions that will add years to the lifespan of your roof. What’s more, as local contractors based right here in Gainesville, GA, we’re just a phone call away if you need inspections, repairs, or other maintenance needs.
Protect your commercial property and call Skyline Contracting today.