How Snow & Ice Impact Your Commercial Roof
It is no mystery that certain weather conditions can destroy your commercial roof, and snow and ice are no exception. When you have a standard mechanically fastened roof with board insulation, warmed air from the inside of your building escapes through the cracks, holes, and seams. When the snow melts around those areas, here come the ice dams and leaky roofs.
Ice Dams
We all know that heat rises. The snow melts when the warm air rises to the roof. The snowmelt migrates to other parts of the roof, where it starts to freeze again, creating an ice buildup around the cracks and seams. It then forms a valley for water to sit and collect, and this water will eventually start leaking through the roof.
How to Prevent Damage
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF, or Spray Foam), or a silicone roof coating solution is an excellent way to combat the damage done by winter days. Not only will it insulate your commercial building, but it will also prevent your current roof, whatever the type, from succumbing to the harsh environment. Any existing holes and open seams will be filled, which will create a seamless air barrier to stop the snowmelt. If no warm air can escape, then there’s no snowmelt. Ice dams will not be able to form if there are no open seams, and leaks will become a thing of the past.
Energy & Cost Savings
Stopping air loss through the roof will reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system. All in all, you will be giving your commercial roof a lifetime of snow and water damage and corrosion protection, which can make your energy bills go down. And imagine saving even more money by avoiding a costly roof tear-off. Keep the warm air inside of your building every winter!
