The mere thought of a roof failing prematurely can make homeowners and property managers lose sleep. Failure of this nature is not only a big waste of time, but also a serious money pit. Whether the solution is corrugated plastic roofing from the UK or metal roofing, preventing roof failure is vital to keeping property values healthy and homes, livable. Interestingly, most of these failures are attributable to poor workmanship, especially where ventilation is overlooked. Check out the following reasons to see where an error could have occurred.
1. Poor Roof Design
Building codes concerning roofs exist for a reason. To optimize the life of the roof and to minimise the need for regular maintenance, the designer must take a number of things into account. The slope of the roof is one of these: the formation of ponds on the roof can be disastrous. Roof drainage is also crucial, with the accurate identification of low points ensuring proper run-off. Walkways are equally important, as they allow proper use of the roof by technicians as they access communication equipment, HVAC components and so forth. Other aspects to focus on are terminations and penetrations.
2. Poor Workmanship
The quality of job done during installation can determine whether the roof stands for many years or starts crumbling as soon as the occupants settle. Due to the increasing complexity of modern roofing systems, it pays to have a certified installer do the job. The best contractors have good reviews and are members of professional roofing organizations. Look for contractors that place are always trying to improve workmanship and put them in your shortlist.
3. Substandard Materials
Your contractor should use the best materials available on the market so that your roof can withstand the harshest weather conditions. Substandard roofing materials will most probably degrade when exposed to even relatively mild weather. To be on the safe side, choose corrugated plastic roofing from the leading providers. It may be on the pricey side, but it will be worth it.
4. Inadequate Knowledge on Roof Care
As a property owner, you can enhance the life of your roof with a little knowledge on various aspects of roofing. As the installation progresses, it would be worth your while to follow and identify some of the occurrences that promote failure. Contractors themselves can cause roof damage, for instance, if they drop hammers or drills on the roof. Certain spillages may also promote failure. Other external factors like water intrusion, debris, and animal infestation are enemies to roof integrity.
5. Lack of Proper Inspection
To further the previous point, property owners tend to place little importance to roof inspection after the installation. At the very minimum, roof inspection should be a bi-annual event. The roof will be in excellent shape if it undergoes thorough inspection on a quarterly basis. It is particularly important to take care of leaves as they can easily clog the system, create ponds, and eventually cause extensive roof damage.
When built right, a roof can last a long time, but this requires a measured approach from design to finishing. Every stakeholder must perform his or her role reliably for a roof that is close to maintenance-free. Involvement of the owner is essential, even when an established contractor is undertaking the project.
