Commercial Roof Repair Vs. Replacement: Which is Better for Your Business

If you have a damaged or aging roof, you might be considering a roof replacement. While full replacement is sometimes necessary, we are often able to help building owners keep their costs down by repairing a damaged roof rather than replacing it.

We know the challenges of maintaining a commercial property, so our first choice is always a roof repair if possible. During our free roof inspections, our roofing experts are able to confidently determine whether a roof needs to be repaired or replaced. In this article, we will go through the most important criteria they use to make that determination.

How old is the roof?

The age of the roof is one of the most important factors in deciding between a repair and a replacement. If your roof is relatively new and the damage is localized, repairing the roof can be a good option. However, if the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, a replacement could be a more cost-effective long-term solution.

A commercial roof's lifespan typically ranges from 10 to 50 years. A TPO Roof System often last somewhere between 15 to 50 years, an EPDM Roof System has a life expectancy of 10 to 40 years, and metal roofs can last 45 years or longer.

Undergoing a roof replacement may make operating a business more difficult, however, especially if you typically have customers that come and go. Our commercial roof inspectors can help you to determine if a roof replacement or repair is right for you and how long the repairs or replacement will take to complete. They will also be able to talk to you about a strategy to stay open as a business during repairs and work to minimize any time that you would need to operate your business elsewhere.

Is there significant damage to the roof?

The extent of the damage to your roof is another factor that can determine if a repair is sufficient to fix your roofing problem. When damage is widespread or if there are multiple leaks, a replacement might be necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the roof.  In general, we find that if 25% or more of the roof is damaged, a full roof replacement is needed. If less than 25% of the roof is damaged and there are no significant structural problems repairing your roof could be a budget-friendly option.

Some specific types of damage to look for include:

• Issues with the drainage system - Standing water is something you never want to see on a commercial roof. If the drainage system is malfunctioning, that can be a sign of more serious damage.
• Damage to the flashing - The flashing around your roof plays a critical role and keeping water out of your building.
• Membrane damage - Your roof's outer membrane provides insulation and waterproofing benefits for your building. If there are significant cracks, blisters, or other weak spots in the membrane, a roof replacement might be necessary.

Where is the damage?

In addition to the scale of the damage, the location of the damage is also a consideration when determining the best solution for your roofing problems. A small amount of damage in a lesser- used section of your building can almost certainly be repaired. However, if there is significant damage to a part of your building that customers use or where you have expensive machinery, it might be best to consider a roof replacement.

Timing

In some cases, the condition of a commercial roof merits a full replacement. But because of timing constraints or other business considerations, a repair is the better option. For example, a business that is going into its busy season might not want to deal with a Lengthy roof replacement process. Or if the building owner is about to sell the building, it might make more sense to repair the roof and let the future owner decide the best course of action.

Get An Expert Opinion

Our commercial roofing experts can conduct a free inspection of your roof and determine whether a roof repair or replacement is best for your building. We will provide you with a thorough report on the health of your roof and carefully explain our recommendation and how we came to that conclusion. If you would like to schedule a free roof inspection, give us a call today or fill out the form on our Contact Us page.