When you are responsible for the condition of your roofing systems and materials, there are many variables to keep in mind. It is up to you to ensure that the roof is safe, not leaking, and working more effectively for your organization. You need to protect the people, equipment, and resources inside. You need to manage your budget reserves and repair costs. These types of responsibilities may inspire a significant number of valid roofing questions that you should ask a professional contractor. However, today we are going to discuss three questions no one ever asked – but you can still learn a lot from the answers.

If a jet lands on top of my building, can the roof withstand the weight? When you maintain an airport terminal or a hotel close to an airport, hundreds of planes are flying around your building every day. If one of those planes actually landed on the roof instead of the runway, could the roof withstand it? Well, the question may seem ridiculous, but it actually gives us the opportunity to speak about the general capabilities of your flat roof. Knowing the weight limits of your specific roof is necessary in many situations, such as determining the feasibility of a new rooftop HVAC system. You can determine the actual weight capacity of your roof by reviewing the property blueprints and structural documents, as well as the records of any remodels, repairs, or restructuring. While every roof is different, the minimum requirement for commercial roofs is to be able to support a concentrated weight of 300 lbs in a single 2.5×2.5ft space. Remember, this is a minimum standard, so your roof may be a lot stronger. However, if your roof is aging, has cracks or damage, or is already carrying a significant load, you’ll need to take those variables into account.
If a tsunami hits the building, will the roof be able to handle all the water? If you are a fan of natural disaster movies, you may be wondering just how big of a tsunami your building can withstand. Or maybe you aren’t really worried about a 200-foot wave – but the ability of your roof to handle a lot of water during torrential summer rainstorms. It’s a good question. Generally speaking, a flat commercial roof is built to handle ponding water for up to 48 hours or so, during which time the water should drain or evaporate. However, if the water does not drain properly or becomes trapped in dips in the roofing structure, you’ve got reason to worry. Ponding water can damage roofing materials and encourage cracks and leaks that can cause your roof to age too rapidly or allow water intrusion. If you inspect the roof often, make sure the roof is level and the drainage system is working properly – you don’t have to worry about tsunamis or even frequent rain events. This is one of the roofing questions you can put to rest by calling a professional roofing contractor for an inspection.
If Earth’s orbit wobbles and we get too close to the sun, can my roof withstand the heat? Your roof is exposed to the blazing heat and UV rays from the sun all the time, and it does endure a lot of punishment in that regard. In southern regions, the roof can reach temperatures of 150 degrees during the summer, which forces your A/C to work overtime to keep the building cool. Sadly, if we travel too close to the sun, cool roof coatings may not be effective. The good news is we really don’t have to worry about such a cataclysm for at least a billion years – in the meantime, a reflective roof coating can help to reduce temperatures, discourage urban heat islands, and protect materials from cracking or weathering prematurely.

Unicoat Saves the Day – And Answers Your Roofing Questions

When you are in need of a solution for your roof – whether to repair the damage, protect the surface, prevent water intrusion, or reflect the heat – Unicoat Industrial Roofing has the answer. Our professional roof coatings can protect your building while extending your roof life by decades. Don’t wait for a global disaster. Give us a call today to ask any roofing questions and learn more about how roof coatings can significantly improve the integrity and longevity of your roof.