Preserving Your Restaurant's Roof

25 April 2016
 Categories: , Blog

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For many people who own a restaurant, the roof is not a priority on a daily basis. With paying customers and employees inside, time is consumed with ensuring everything is going well underneath the roof. However, if you own a restaurant and the roof is damaged, that can lead to health code violations, injured employees and other problems you would likely prefer to avoid. To preserve the roof of your establishment, make a little time for the following tasks.

Watch for Obvious Signs that the Roof is Damaged

Every now and then, it's wise to climb onto the roof of your restaurant to determine whether you can observe things that could mean that some damage has occurred. For instance, look for shingles that are missing or loose. Check the roof's gutters to see if there are twigs, leaves or other debris which may stop water from flowing down into the downspouts. That could cause water to pool against the roof, which could eventually lead to a leak.

You can also look for signs of damage on the ceiling inside the restaurant. Look for stains, which may indicate a roof leak, or any other discoloration.

Look for Loose Flashing

Because your restaurant's roof is likely to have vents, sklights and other protrusions, it is important to check the pieces of metal around them, also called flashing. When the flashing becomes loose, water can flow into the roof and the dining area or kitchen below. Monitor the flashing periodically to ensure it is tightly attached. If you see it's loose, look for any signs of mold between the roof itself and the flashing. If there is some, have a professional clean and remove it. If not, use a screwdriver to tighten the flashing screws.

Get Heating Cords

If you have an old-style flat roof on your restaurant, too much ice or snow could threaten the roof. To make sure that the weight of the snow doesn't result in a cave-in, you might want to get heating cords that will stay warm and melt ice or snow so it doesn't build up. If your restaurant doesn't have a flat roof, you may still want to install heating cords to prevent damage to the roof because of prolonged exposure to snow or ice.

There are just some of the things you're able to do in order to make sure your roof continues to serve your restaurant well. For periodic assessments of the roof and to repair minor problems before they worsen, consult a roofer with commercial roof expertise such as Patrick Miller Construction.