How thaw cycle affects commercial roof?
Let us begin with a thermal shock.
What is a thermal shock?
Roofing manufacturers and experts claim that thermal shock is one of the leading causes of premature failure of the roof. These shocks happen when heat gradient causes different parts of the same object to expand with different amounts. This expansion can be well understood in terms of strain or stress, in the same manner. At some point in time, these stress moments can exceed the metal strength and cause a split or crack to be formed. If these cracks are not well taken care of, these end up causing the object to fail to work.
We all know that everything expands or contracts when it heats and cools down respectively. Each and every part of the roof or overall building has its own rates of expansion and contraction. These parts include steel, wood, concrete, and asphalt etc.
It is worth stating here that not all of the components expand or contract during the hot and cold, day and night or winter and summer cycles. They also have the potential to have enhanced contraction or expansion when two or more than two components get joined in a single system.
For instance, take the example of a common roof system that has aluminum roof edges and steel deck along with an asphalt roof membrane. These will have different expansion and contraction rates and at the same time, different materials tend to stay together. In other words, it is three components that are expanding and contracting yet at different and varying degrees.
What options are for a building owner?
Most of the manufacturers are offering maintenance plans as soon as the new roof is completed. It is usually planned that following a proper maintenance plan, it is expected that roof will stay working for 5 to 10 years at least. It is usually understood that roofs depreciate over a period of 39 years while the average new roof is expected to have a life of a couple of decades i.e. 20 years. Hence it is a vigilant step to take care of the roof via well-planned maintenance programs. Following such a plan, the life of a roof can be enhanced up to 25 or 30 years. It is indeed an excellent investment when the capital expenditures are minimal.
Roof maintenance plan:
A typical maintenance plan mostly average less than $1, 5000 annually and the emergency repairing costs of the roof is almost 5 times more on average. Winter season is an issue itself. The materials accessible or used for the repairs become limited because of limitation related to the application temperature of most of these materials. Most of the sealant, adhesives, and coatings are not applicable below 40 degrees. This enhances the issues related to emergency repairs during winter season along with the maintenance issue that could have been taken care of during the summer season.
Whatever is the situation, you need to ensure that you are hiring a reliable professional roofer. Being a resident of UK you must be aware of the fact that there is a number of professional roofing companies serving the needs of the people. Once again you need to see and ensure that you are in safe hands.
One such renowned name in UK roofing industry is Eagle Roofing. We are in business for more than the last 30 years. We are a family owned business and hence well aware of needs of commercial as well as residential properties. See us and allow us to serve you and your roofing requirements. You will not regret working with us.