Whether it was a mild one or more severe, winter takes a definite toll on a roof. Snow falls, collects in areas of shade and low points and melts at varying rates. Rain can come in large quantities in short periods and evaporate more slowly than in summer. Temperatures can range widely, from low 60s or higher to subzero.

All of these conditions can shrink or split roofing materials, create space between walls and flashings, or concentrate moisture in specific areas of vulnerability.

Leaks are not always obvious or even noticeable

Roof leaks can be stealthy. Often, leaks are not noticed until they advance to the point of dripping into interior spaces. But damage can occur much earlier.
 
We often see leak damage between the outer layer and the roof deck, whether in insulating material or between the top and mid-layer membranes, which may not be visible but can cause slow deterioration, including rot, of wood decking or black mold formation—serious problems that are best solved before they become a major cost or even health issue.

Spring inspections designed to find issues early

At Sterling Commercial Roofing, a spring roof inspection can start with a visual assessment, conducted free of charge, to put expert eyes on the roof and identify any potential issues. Customers often have their facility manager or other company person walk the roof with us to learn in real time of any areas we see that might require action.

We can also use specialized thermoscan technology to go deeper, scanning the roof for evidence of moisture below the surface. Some customers request core cuts to get a full and accurate sense of the condition of all your roof layers, sometimes advisable for older roofs.

Address small problems before they become big ones

The business rationale for spring roof inspections is simple. When it comes to a commercial roof, it pays to inspect and maintain it on a regular basis. There are multiple payoffs: Catching problems at an early stage makes repair easier and less costly. Regular inspections can significantly extend the service life of your roof. And knowing the exact condition of your roof enables longer-term budget planning—we can help you project when the roof will require replacement, five or more years in advance.

Trust is critical

It’s important that you trust the roofing expert conducting the assessment or inspection. The last thing you want is someone going up on your roof looking for projects that aren’t needed. That’s why an established, reputable commercial roofing contractor is a must.

Over the course of our almost 40 years in business, Sterling Commercial Roofing has built a reputation for safety, quality and integrity that’s second to none in the industry. We succeed, not by doing unnecessary projects, but by building relationships. This is how we’ve become one of the largest and most trusted commercial roofing contractors in the Midwest.

Take action in early spring

Depending on the weather, mid-March through early May is the ideal period for a spring roof assessment. Contact us directly to schedule your free assessment or learn more about our discounted inspection packages.

Your industrial roof protects more than your building. It protects valuable equipment and other contents inside the premises. It also can play a significant part in the energy efficiency of your facility.

Winter presents a number of challenges for your commercial roof, challenges that can multiply with every year that passes after initial installation. Especially in the northern Midwest, normal winter precipitation—including snow, which can accumulate and melt slowly, and rain, which can freeze in place—has an uncanny ability to find your roof’s vulnerabilities.

Temperature fluctuations add to the strain. In a climate where average temperatures have warmed in recent years, your roof can see a very wide range, from sun-warmed high surface temps to subzero cold snaps. This drives repeated expansion and contraction of the roofing materials, potentially creating leak points.

Mitigate the risk with a fall roof inspection

At Sterling Commercial Roofing (SCR), we always recommend on-site roof inspections, ideally twice a year, to spot minor problems and make sure they don’t become major ones. In fact in our experience, we’ve found that regular inspections can extend the life of your 20- or 30-year roof by as much as 10 years or even more.

The goal of a pre-winter inspection is to identify any obvious problems. Clearing any fall debris such as leaves or branches, making sure drainage systems are all clear, checking to make sure all seams and flashings are in good shape—these are a few of the things we look for to help ensure your roof performs the way it’s designed to in winter weather.

Minor investments can save major costs

A SCR roofing expert can conduct an on-site roof assessment free of charge. We walk the roof and provide a professional opinion on the condition of the roof and any areas where winter-related problems could occur. For the highest level of assurance, we can do a more in-depth inspection for a relatively small fee, depending on the size, age and type of roof.

We have decades of experience conducting pre-winter inspections. In vast majority of cases, what we find is minor and can be repaired or otherwise addressed quickly and inexpensively.

Integrity is everything

A common source of hesitation to requesting a roof inspection is the fear that the roofer will try to generate work by identifying problems that aren’t there. This is where the integrity of the roofing professional comes in.

At Sterling Commercial Roofing, we build more than roofing systems. We build trust.

Our goal is to save our customers money and extend the life of their current roof. For almost 40 years, we have succeeded, not by doing unnecessary projects, but by developing relationships. This is how we’ve become one of the largest and fastest-growing commercial roofing contractors in the Midwest.

Take action in late summer or fall

August through mid-October is the ideal period for a pre-winter assessment. Contact us directly to schedule your free assessment or learn more about our discounted inspection packages.