Even though commercial roofs such as PVC and bitumen are more resilient than their residential counterparts, they still encounter some trouble during winter. The upcoming winter season is characterized by low temperatures, hail and sleet, and strong winds that puts the pressure on your roof.

Fortunately, you can avoid these common winter problems by doing a pre-winter inspection and preventive maintenance. Exterior Building Solutions, one of the top roofing contractors in St. Louis, explains in this post.

Winter Roofing Problems

Your commercial roof will be put to the test this winter. Hail, sleet, and snow all put extra pressure on the roof, either by directly damaging its surface or stripping the protective coatings as in the case of modified bitumen and built-up roofing. 

Snow that accumulates on the roof also puts extra weight on its surface and, once it melts, it can become a leak once it finds its way into the cracks and existing holes in your roof.

In-Depth Inspection

To avoid these common problems, start by hiring a roofer to do an in-depth inspection. While this is often a prerequisite to commercial roof installation, it’s also the first step when winterizing an existing roof. This inspection gives you an idea on what are the existing problem areas on your commercial roof, giving you ample time to address them before they become bigger and more expensive concerns.

Preventive Maintenance

Once you’ve done an in-depth inspection, you’re now ready to do preventive maintenance on the roof. Getting a head start on existing problems is better than reacting to an issue. Leaks, for example, often go unnoticed and can grow in size in just a matter of weeks. Addressing a small leak isn’t just less expensive; you also prevent the spread of water damage and the premature degradation of your commercial roof.

At Exterior Building Solutions, we provide preventive winter solutions as part of our commercial and residential roofing service. We’ll make sure your roof is ready for winter. Call us today at (314) 470-8783 to learn more about our services. We are local roofing contractors serving homeowners throughout St. Louis, Missouri.