In the United States, roof repair services comprise a large portion of the roofing industry, generating $47 billion annually. This is not surprising when you learn that over 100,000 roofing companies operate nationwide.
As a business owner, keeping your commercial property well-maintained is a top priority and should never be neglected. A well-maintained has improved safety for your employees.
One of the more critical things to watch out for is roof deterioration. If these signs are ignored for enough time, it could mean you need to hire a roofing contractor to replace a roof.
Keep reading if you’d like to know when to replace a roof, what signs to look for, and more. This article explores everything you need to know about commercial roof replacement.
When Should You Replace a Roof?
Before we get into the roof replacement process, knowing what to look for when your roof starts looking worse for wear is worthwhile. Several signs you can detect will indicate whether you need a roof restoration or replacement.
As part of your roof maintenance routine, you should regularly check your roof for signs of damage and wear. Here are some of the more significant signs to watch out for:
1. Your Roof Is Old
One of the first signs you need to replace a roof it’s age. Commercial roofs must be replaced roughly every 20-30 years, so when your one reaches this age, it may be time to consider replacing it. If you know how old your roof is, you can start planning for a roof replacement well in advance.
2. Roof Blistering and Bubbling
Roof blistering, or bubbling, is another sign your commercial roof may need a replacement. This problem happens commonly with roofs made from PVC, EPDM, etc.
This problem happens with moisture or air gets between the membrane layers of the roofing material. Eventually, this will cause the material to bubble. When those same pockets of air or water start to break down, this is referred to as blistering and is a tell-tale sign you should replace your commercial roof.
3. It’s Leaking
Another sign that you should consider a commercial roof replacement is if it’s leaking. Leaking can happen for several reasons, such as sustaining water damage. If your building’s roof is leaking, you need to have it seen immediately by a professional.
If you leave it unaddressed, you will end up with mold and mildew forming. This is a new problem you will need to deal with and can cost you more than replacing your commercial roof.
4. It’s Severely Damaged
If your roof is severely damaged, hiring roof replacement services is essential. Your commercial roof is vulnerable to the elements and can become damaged during bad weather, like a storm.
Not replacing a damaged roof can become a hazard. This hazard can put any employees working inside in danger. A professional can assess the damage and advise what needs to be done.
5. Your Roof Has Loose Materials
Another significant indicator that your commercial roof needs replacing is if you find loose roofing materials. This problem is severe and should be addressed immediately.
A roof’s materials can loosen for several reasons. For example, it can loosen over time as it ages or because of extreme weather or improper or poor installation. You don’t want to ignore this problem; otherwise, you’ll have additional issues like leakage, mold, and mildew.
The Roof Replacement Process
So you’ve been watching your roof and noticed a few tell-tale signs that you need to replace it. What should you expect from the process? The process affects how long it takes to replace a roof, so let’s review it here.
- Roof inspection and assessment
- Removal of the old roof
- Repair of structural damage
- Completion of repairs to the structure
- Installation of the new roof
When you begin the roof replacement process, the roofing inspector will inspect the roof and assess its current state. The inspector will also spend time identifying whether or not your roof has structural damage.
Once they have decided the roof needs replacing, they move on to the next step: removing the old roof. Thankfully, this step takes little time. It can take from as little as a few hours to a day or two to complete.
Next, your roof contractor will address and remove structural issues like rotting. They will also repair anything else that needs fixing before the new roof goes on.
Once the necessary repairs are complete, they can install the new roof. All that’s left after that is to clean up the property and remove any old material from the original roof.
How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take?
Now that we’ve reviewed the roof replacement process, let’s address how long it takes to replace a roof on your commercial building. It’s a reasonable question because replacing a roof can cause several inconveniences. For example, most contractors will advise you to take up office somewhere else for the time it takes to replace a roof.
Although it’s worth the inconvenience because replacing your roof means you won’t have to deal with additional unexpected problems from a commercial roof past its prime. When you replace a roof, you know it’s new and won’t have to worry about it for several years.
However, knowing how long it takes to replace a roof is more complicated. Several elements go into how long the commercial roof replacement will take.
When you hire a professional roofing service, they can advise a time estimate after they assess your roof. Factors that affect the timeline include:
The Roof Size
The roof size is one of the most significant factors affecting the time it takes to replace a roof. If you have a larger commercial building with several roofs, it can take longer than a smaller warehouse with a single roof.
The roof size often determines how many workers are assigned to the replacement job. If you have a larger house, you may be given enough workers to complete the job in less time.
The Roofing Material
Another factor in how long it takes to replace a roof is the type of material the roof is made from. For example, single ply, built-up, TPO, PVC, EPDM, or metal roofing are all materials from which your roof can be made.
Each material will take different durations to install. For example, single ply and built up roofing will take longer than TPO roofing. The choice you make when choosing your roofing material can potentially extend the time of your installation.
The Roof’s Slope and Design
The type of roof your commercial property has also affects the roof replacement time. For example, your building can have slow slope or steep slope roofing.
Low slope roofing includes flat roofing, used on warehouses and large commercial buildings but can be tricky to replace. Conversely, a roof is considered a steep slope when it has an incline of more than 3:12.
Both roofs need a professional to replace them, so contacting a roof restoration and replacement company is best.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Another crucial element affecting how long it takes to replace a roof is the weather conditions on the installation day. For example, icy weather can cause some materials and tools to malfunction.
If the weather turns freezing, the conditions may make it unsafe for workers to continue the job. This means the roofing contractor will delay the installation until the weather conditions improve.
The season is important when you’re hiring contractors to replace a roof. For instance, you will get fewer cold, rainy days if you schedule it in summer.
- Pro Tip: Scheduling it in the summer means you have longer daylight hours to complete the job
Accessibility of The Property
Finally, how accessible the property is also impacts how long the roof replacement process will take. For example, suppose your commercial building is on a street with very narrow roads. In that case, it could be challenging for the roofing company to get their vehicles to your property without blocking the road for other users.
If your property is difficult to get to, they’ll have to park their vehicles further away and manually transport the materials to the property. Accessibility can also be problematic if you live in a remote area that requires a long commute (i.e., a few hours’ driving) from the city. Both of these examples can extend the number of hours needed to complete the roof replacement.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to the question, “How long does it take to replace a roof?” but knowing the factors that can affect the time means you can notice when things are about to be delayed. You can expect a commercial roof replacement to take up to a month to complete.
Tips for Reducing Time Spent on Roof Replacement
Now that you know what affects the time it takes to replace a roof, it’s only fair that we give you some tips to help you reduce the time spent on roof replacement. These tips will help you get the job done quicker, so it’s less inconvenience for you.
1. Choose Your Contractor Wisely
Choosing the right roofing company is one of the most significant ways to reduce the time spent on your roof replacement. You want a company with trained and qualified contractors. This way, you know they will do the job faster due to experience.
2. Choose Your Roofing Material Carefully
Choosing the right material for your commercial building is an essential factor in how long it will take to replace a roof. For example, metal roofs typically take longer to install than other roofing materials. Additionally, the design of your building also plays a part in how quickly the roofing company will take on your roof replacement.
3. Be Reliably Contactable
One of the biggest reasons for delays is poor communication. Ideally, you want to visit the site regularly while the roof replacement is underway.
Being there in person means you can speak to the roofing contractor and answer any questions they may have. If you’re tough to get hold of, their attempts to contact you can delay the whole process.
4. Schedule It During the Summer
You should avoid scheduling it in winter or fall to prevent a high risk of bad weather delaying your roof replacement. Workers won’t be able to install it during heavy rains. Your better bet is to schedule it for a day in the spring or summer.
5. Have Clear Access
If you don’t want extra delays, ensure your property is easily accessible. You can do this by clearing out any debris that may interfere with the property’s accessibility. Fewer delays will occur if the roofing crew can efficiently access your property.
6. Check For Building Permits
You can also apply for any building permits you need to acquire before the roof replacement is scheduled. If you can obtain any yourself beforehand, this can help speed up the process.
A New Roof, A New You
When you replace a roof, it can be a satisfying experience if it’s done correctly. When you hire a qualified roofing company, you know you’ll get the job done fast. However, several factors can affect the roof replacement time.
These factors include the roof’s size, the type of commercial roof and its complexity, weather conditions, the property’s accessibility, and the material your roof is made from.
Contact us today if you want a worry-free roof replacement. Our family-owned and operated business in Springfield, IL, is dedicated to bringing you the best roofing service.
