Your roof is one of your most expensive and most important building components. It not only protects the interior of your building and its assets but is also critical for occupant health and safety. However, continual diligence is needed — although your roof might be “out of sight, out of mind,” its exposure to outside elements means it requires regular attention.
Roofs fail for three main reasons: nature, activity and time.
Nature
A roof faces the forces of nature every single day, from threatening storms to ultraviolet (UV) rays, animals and debris. Each of those can contribute to roof wear, breakdown and, sometimes, premature failure. The biggest nature issues include:
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Extreme Heat or Cold
Roofs expand and contract as temperatures change — and when those swings are extreme, the effects can be damaging.
During the summer months, prolonged sun exposure weakens roofing materials, making shingles brittle, accelerating cracking and reducing lifespan. During the wintertime, extended freezing temperatures make materials stiff and more prone to cracking, especially when combined with moisture. This sets the stage for further damage, especially without proper roof insulation.
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Freeze/Thaw Cycles
Freeze/thaw conditions can accelerate failure at seams, penetrations and transitions. When moisture works into laps, terminations or small cracks in coatings, it can freeze and expand, stressing the membrane and flashing details. Repeated cycles — combined with standing water from poor drainage — can lead to seam separation, loss of adhesion and interior leaks.
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Hail, Rain & Wind
Storms can cause rapid damage to commercial flat roofs. Hail can bruise or puncture membranes and damage coatings and metal edge details. Heavy rain can force water through compromised seams and flashing, especially when ponding occurs due to blocked drains. Wind can lift membrane edges, loosen coping and perimeter metal, and move debris that can scuff or puncture the roof surface.
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Tree Branches & Debris
Overhanging tree branches can rub against or fall on roofs during wind and storms, stripping shingles or puncturing roofing materials. Other debris, such as leaves and cottonwood, can accumulate in valleys and gutters, trapping moisture and accelerating wear.
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UV Radiation & Ozone
The sun’s UV rays and atmospheric ozone both contribute to roof aging. UV exposure can damage roofing materials over time, making them brittle and prone to cracking. Meanwhile, ozone and other air pollutants chemically react with roofing materials, contributing to degradation and corrosion.
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Air Pollutants
Pollution doesn’t just affect lungs; it affects roofing, too. Pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, can chemically interact with roof surfaces, accelerating breakdown, corrosion and material wear.
Activity
Not all damage comes from nature; everyday activities cause a surprising amount of problems. Everything from unexpected intrusions to animal activity can lead to leaks, breakdowns and costly repairs. Let’s explore the most common activity-related causes of roof failure.
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HVAC & Other Contractor Traffic
Routine maintenance from unqualified technicians can harm roofing materials, and repeated, often unnecessary foot traffic can cause abrasions and other damage. Equipment installation can also leave punctures or weaken connections around vents and penetrations.
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Dropped Tools & Accidental Damage
Construction, maintenance or repair work inevitably involves tools and materials. Those tools can fall and puncture membranes or crack shingles. Workers and other roof visitors who are unaware of sensitive roofing areas can unintentionally scrape, dent or damage components while performing even routine tasks. They can even leave a tool on the roof by mistake, only to see strong winds turn it into a damaging projectile.
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Trash & Debris
Trash, leftover construction materials and debris might seem harmless until they trap moisture or block critical drainage. Even organic debris, such as leaves and branches, can cause rot or leaks if left unchecked. Debris on a roof can also create trip hazards and hide underlying damage.
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Spills & Chemicals
Maintenance tasks or rooftop work sometimes involve liquids, such as chemicals and construction solvents. These can damage roofing membranes, soften protective coatings or accelerate deterioration when spilled. In some cases, cleaning agents not designed for roof surfaces can exacerbate wear.
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Animal Intrusions
Birds, squirrels, raccoons and other critters don’t just make noise — ¬¬they chew and claw at roofing materials. Birds, in particular, are a problem as they can build nests in gutters or vents, blocking drainage and increasing moisture buildup.
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Growth of Vegetation, Fungi or Algae
Organic growth can directly contribute to roof failure. Moss, algae and fungus thrive in damp, shady conditions and can trap moisture, which can lift roof materials and accelerate decay. Vegetation overgrowth can retain water, strain roofing layers and cause roots to penetrate materials, creating cracks or leaks.
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About Caulk & Other Consumables
Many critical roofing components, such as caulk, sealants, mastics, adhesives and flashing tapes, are designed to flex, seal and protect. But they can naturally dry out, shrink, crack or lose adhesion over time. These are often the first points of failure. Without routine inspection and reapplication, deteriorated consumables can allow water intrusion long before major roofing materials reach the end of their service life.
Time
Nothing lasts forever. Over time, the combined effects of age, material limitations and human influence can cause even the strongest roofs to fail. Let’s look at the major time-related causes of roof failure.
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Installation Shortfalls
Even the best roofing materials can’t perform if they’re installed incorrectly. Installation errors can lead to leaks, misaligned shingles and weak flashing. These problems may not appear until years after installation, by which time damage may have already spread.
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Structural Movement & Settling
As buildings age, the underlying structure can shift due to settling or soil movement. Over time, these shifts can stress the roof assembly, causing deck sagging or warping, cracks and gaps, and seam separation.
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Aging Components
Roofing materials don’t all age at the same rate. Over time, membranes lose flexibility, fasteners corrode and sealants dry and crack. These problems increase after repeated cycles of heating and cooling, UV exposure from sunlight, wind, snow and other weather stressors. Even asphalt shingles, commonly rated to last 20 to 30 years, will eventually reach the end of their usable life and become brittle, curled or cracked.
Avoid Roof Failures with RoofAdvantage 360
Ensuring your roof doesn’t fail requires proactive maintenance to fix small issues before they become big problems and to defer roof replacement costs. It can also ensure you maintain your manufacturer’s warranty, as many warranties are voided without regular maintenance, including proper recordkeeping of inspections and repairs.
Regular inspections can help you:
- Identify and fix leaks or immediate threats as they occur
- Increase the lifespan of your roof
- Greatly reduce your annual costs
- Help identify safety concerns and support compliance efforts
- Avoid unexpected disruptions and downtime
- Meet manufacturer warranty requirements
You’ll also want to rely on a qualified inspection and maintenance professional and a service plan, such as our RoofAdvantage 360 program, which not only offers premier preventative maintenance but also roof repairs and replacement. With RoofAdvantage 360, your contractor will thoroughly inspect your roof, provide an inspection report, uncover maintenance issues and identify potential safety risks.
With RoofAdvantage 360, we’ll protect your roof and everything it protects.
Contact us to learn more.
Rely on RoofAdvantage 360 to Ensure Optimal Warranty Coverage
RoofAdvantage 360 is a comprehensive commercial roof service and maintenance solution developed by the reputable and experienced contractors of Roofing Corp of America. With our Defend 360 preventative maintenance program, your roof will be regularly inspected and maintained by a contractor with experience and proven roofing know-how. We’ll provide detailed documentation, and when possible we’ll keep digital copies on hand to help support your needs should they be needed in the future.
Contact us today to learn more about RoofAdvantage 360 and how we can help you extend the life of your roof, lower your overall costs, and get the most from your warranty.
