Not just any type of commercial roofing will suffice for a restaurant or facility that prepares food. Due to discharge from exhaust fans, the roof can quickly degrade. We’ll explain the considerations necessary for adequate restaurant roof protection.

Why a Restaurant Roof Requires Extra Protection

The roof exhaust system releases gas from stoves, ovens, and grills. It may also release remnants of grease. Prolonged exposure causes roofing surfaces to deteriorate, making them soft and spongy. The fumes and oil will also wear out seam adhesives, causing them to lose their bond. For roofs with thermoplastic, the surface will form blisters.

That’s not all. Vented grease may collect around the exhaust fan. This creates trip hazards, not to mention possible pest infestation. Your facility may also be in violation of EPA regulations. Water runoff could potentially carry the grease into the ground or sewer system. Continue Reading →

Late fall and early winter is when the Pacific Northwestern chills begin setting in. Can you perform maintenance work on your residential roof during this time? This is an important question because cold weather affects roofing adhesives. Without the right techniques, the adhesives may not dry and create a solid seal.

How Cold Weather Affects Roofing Adhesives

Cold temperatures change an adhesive’s physical properties, causing it to become rigid. This makes the compound unusable, possibly bringing roofing work to a halt. You need adhesives for securing the roof membrane. Continue Reading →

Homeowners often associate flat roofs with commercial roofing. However, a flat roof architecture—while atypical for a home—is also viable for residences. We’ll discuss the difference between a flat vs. sloped roofs and their respective pros and cons.

Flat Roof

A flat roof installation may be cheaper since the total area is usually less than that of a sloped roof. We recommend a flat roof if you contemplate using the area as a part-time living space. This is a trendy option. Some homeowners even go the creative route by covering the roof in soil and grass to promote green living. While this is certainly an option, the roots can burrow into the roof and cause leak-induced damage.

The biggest drawback, though, is a flat roof’s relatively short life expectancy. Flat roofs are typically made from asphalt topped with a gravel-based coating. While fairly inexpensive, the lifespan is only about 10 to 15 years. Other material options include rubber with an elastomeric membrane. This is significantly more expensive but has a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. The warranty, though, may still protect the roof for just 10 to 15 years. Continue Reading →

More businesses are beginning to store their data in the cloud. Even so, many still rely on in-house data warehouses for storing their digital information. Businesses need to safeguard their data not just from hackers, but from natural elements as well. A sturdy commercial roof protects your data warehouse from extreme heat and cold.

Why Roof Quality Matters

The roof may directly block sunlight, but the panels may also be collecting heat that causes the temperature to rise inside the data warehouse. Heat is the greatest enemy of anything made up of internal circuit boards. Too much heat can result in condensation buildup inside the circuitry and cause damage. Heat can also melt the capacitor and cause short circuits in motherboards.

Certain roofing materials, such as metal, are also known to collect heat and retain it long after the sun has gone down. This is especially true of darker-colored panels as well as the tar paper beneath. This isn’t to say that these materials are inferior. It’s just that they may not be the best choice for data warehouses and some commercial roofs. Luckily, Bellevue isn’t exactly known for blistering climates, so this isn’t a major concern for businesses in the area. Continue Reading →

Flat roofs have been around just about as long as sloped roofs. A flat surface, however, means the need exists for a more complex drainage solution. Otherwise, pooling can occur the minute the area experiences a rain spell. Pooling leads to leaks and premature deterioration of the roof membrane. We’ll go over the three primary types of drainage systems for flat roofs and how they work at keeping roof puddles at bay.

Gutters

Gutters are the typical drainage systems seen on residential roofs. They consist of an open pipe affixed to the edge of the roof and ends with a downspout. Gutters are just as applicable for flat roofs. Plus, they’re also a cost-effective solution since they can be installed without making any structural changes to the roof itself. Continue Reading →

Seattle isn’t exactly blizzard city, but it does see occasional snowfall. With winter still in full swing, you need to watch out for ice dams forming on your roof. Ice accumulation can cause extensive damage for residential and commercial roofs. We’ll lay out a few methods for getting rid of icicles forming on the edge of the roof.

How Ice Dams Form

Ice dams form when water collects on the soffit and gutters and then freezes. Ice dams are bad news because some of the ice can melt and leak into the interior, causing damage to the ceilings, walls, and insulation.

How to Remove Ice Dams from the Roof

Most people remove ice dams using the good ol’ hack-and-slash method. This requires some muscle power, but it’s effective. Simply break apart the ice using a hammer, axe, or icepick. We must stress that while this method works, you also risk damaging the roof panels or shingles if you apply too much force. Some homeowners have even resorted to homemade blow torches. We can’t recommend this for the obvious safety risk.

A viable alternative is to use a roof rake. You can get this nifty tool at your local hardware store. You risk little damage to your roof, and you can remove most of the ice without having to climb a ladder. Continue Reading →

Home remodeling is a common New Year’s resolution. However, we always stress that functional renovations should be given priority over aesthetic changes. With that in mind, why not kick start 2017 with a roofing resolution? This goes for both residential and commercial facilities.

Resolutions for Your Roof

Any roof upgrade begins with an inspection to determine where fixes and modifications can be made. Here are three of the common recommendations we make, based on what we often uncover during an inspection.

1. Total Roof Replacement

Roofs are designed to last anywhere from 20 years to a lifetime. If your roof is well into its golden years, then now may be a good time to replace it. A new residential roof will perform better functionally while also enhancing curb appeal. Perhaps a new tile or wood shake roof will provide a fresh appearance over the existing shingles that are peeling away. Continue Reading →