Regular Commercial & Industrial Roof Maintenance Is Better Than Replacement
The vast coverage of Commercial and Industrial Roofs are such that the best way to protect these significant investments is to regularly inspect and periodically maintain the roof before damage due to water ingress compromises the structural integrity of your building. A typical roof is expected to withstand decades of whatever the harsh South African climate can throw at it. Additionally commercial and industrial roofing structures are often exposed to harsh chemicals used during manufacturing processes which is known to severely compromise the integrity of the structure. As a result of this, we advise that commercial and industrial roofs be subjected to an annual inspection.
Roofs typically constitute 30% of your building’s construction costs and replacing it can be eye wateringly expensive, hence the need to keep an eye on the state of your structure’s roof.
Report On the Condition of Your Commercial or Industrial Roof
Prior to any waterproofing work being carried out, we will provide property managers and owners with a comprehensive report of the state of your building’s roof. Our report includes:
- Report on the current the state of the roof
- Identifies all damaged elements of the roof
- Provides insight into the probable causes of the roof damage
- Identifies structural and other elements of the building that is being compromised by leakages
- Recommendations to repair the roof damage such that it would provide a long lasting repair solution
There has been a significant move towards installing cost effective Zinc, Chromadek or Aluzinc roofing structures in commercial and industrial buildings, although Mpumalanga Rubber are able to repair all manner of roof types including cast concrete, corrugated and IBR zinc roofing structures.
A number of warning signs should be looked out for when conducting a rudimentary assessment of your roof including:
Blistering of Roof Waterproofing Membrane.
Waterproof roofing membranes are designed to be flexible in order to cope with the extreme expansion of hot roofs during the summer and contraction on freezing cold nights during the winter. Blistering of the flexible membrane is a phenomenon where the protective roof covering has been exposed to heat beyond its ability to expand. If left unrepaired, these blistered areas will eventually compromise the structural integrity of your roof, the interiors and contents of your building and ultimately even cause catastrophic failure of important structural elements such columns and even foundations.
Standing Water on Your Flat Roof and Water Ingress
Many a property owner’s ongoing nightmare is flat spots on a flat roof that enables rainwater or hailstones to puddle. These puddles negatively impact the integrity of your roofing system as they weaken your roof’s waterproofing barrier as well as ceilings, wooden roofing elements and leads to rusty spots and metal failure. Water is surprisingly heavy and pooled water places additional stresses on a roof’s structural elements, which over many seasons can lead to failure. Additionally puddles cause a variety of problems such as water ingress ultimately leading to bacterial and mold build-up and eventually musty smells.
Roof Drainage and Compromised Flashing
Plan For Rainwater Runoff From Adjacent Buildings and Structures
Obviously when designing a roofing system, account must be take of adjoining buildings and structures that could be inundated by the water runoff from your roof. The same applies to your own building being adversely affected by neighbouring structures. These issues are typically far more difficult to resolve without significant water drainage systems being installed. Mpumalanga Rubber’s commercial and industrial roofing specialists readily make cost effective recommendations where it is felt that a long term solution to a client’s roofing problem lies in mitigating the effect of an adjoining structure.
How Trees Destroy Your Roof.
In addition to runoff rainwater, cognisance must also be taken of the placement of trees in and around your property, being sure to locate them well away from your building’s roof. Deciduous trees tend to shed their leaves within a two month period leading up to winter whereas evergreens shed a little all the time. It goes without saying that the biggest problem with trees in close proximity to roofs is gutters and downpipes being blocked, thus allowing water to pool and thereby weakening your roofing system. Our advice is to only plant small to medium sized deciduous trees, but if you are reluctant to remove large, established trees then at the very least property owners should trim them right back and keep them at or below roof height. Large trees have a tendency to be struck by lightning, blown over in strong winds, slowly die off as they are attacked by termites and eucalyptus trees especially , have a nasty habit of shedding large limbs, sometimes weighing thousands of kilograms with no warning, especially during periods of drought. These scenario’s occur far too often and will cause catastrophic and sometimes deadly collapse of your roof and structure.
Roof Design Flaws
Architects and draughtsmen understand the importance of designing a sturdy roofing system for a structure that will protect the structure and it’s innards during its lifetime. They will often take cognisance of the building’s elevation and indeed its location and not least the prevailing weather conditions to which the building will be subject to throughout its lifetime. Needless to say however, they sometimes get it wrong or the use of a building changes and Mpumalanga Rubber (Pty) Ltd roofing specialists sometimes find themselves suggesting modifications to a building’s roof design to avoid future problems.
Annual Inspections and Regular Maintenance
Mpumalanga Rubber (Pty) Ltd is an advocate of annual roof checks and offer this as a service to our clients. We suggest a regular, preventative maintenance plan for your commercial and industrial roof which we are confident can save property owners many thousands of Rands per year in catastrophic failure, emergency repair or damaged stock. Our reports typically list work that must be done urgently as well as identify possible future problems affording property managers and owners the opportunity to budget for future repairs.
In the summer rainfall regions we advise that these inspections be conducted in the late winter or early spring thus affording property owners to effect any proposed maintenance prior to the rainy season. In winter rainfall areas we advise that your roof be inspected at the end of spring or early summer thus avoiding the tempestuous winter weather.
Our inspections are conducted on the roofing material itself, the roof’s pitch, the integrity of any waterproofing or covering, roof fasteners, roof penetrations, flashing, gutters, drainage pipes and down pipes and indeed the condition of the drains themselves.
We also inspect roofing support structures, including trusses, battens, steel or concrete columns and finally, insulation, ceilings, cornices and the integrity of your wall’s plaster and painted surfaces.
We advise a proactive approach to your roof maintenance and repair thus affording commercial and industrial property owners and managers the peace of mind that your investment will be well preserved into the future.
Industrial and Commercial Roof Repair Process
In Africa, and South Africa is no exception, repairing a roof rather than replacement is almost always the preferred route taken by building managers and property owners.
In order to ensure that a roof is repaired or rehabilitated such that the fix will significantly prolong the life of the building the following procedures should be observed:
ROOF RESTORATION PROCESS (HOW TO FIX YOUR LEAKING ROOF)
Our most experienced roofing staff will conduct a detailed inspection of all elements of your roof. We look at:
- The roofing material
- Seams and roofing material joints
- Flashing gutters, downpipes and drainage systems
- Roof fasteners
- Roof trusses
- Battens
- Columns, post and pillars
- Roof perforation
- Installation of roof structures such as air conditioning installations
- Inspection of insulation, ceilings, cornices, plaster and paint
- We conduct an assessment of measurements so as to prepare a detailed quotation
Industrial & Commercial Roof Report
Following the inspection, a comprehensive report – which include photos – will be submitted to the client. Also included will be a detailed plan to repair and rehabilitate problematic areas. A meeting will be arranged to evaluate the report and discuss the client’s intended course of action.
During the initial inspection, accurate measurements of your roof’s surface area must also be recorded and will include all elements to be covered including steel columns, pillars, seams, flashing and where necessary, gutters and down pipes etc.
Commencement of Industrial & Commercial Roof Repair
The first task is to strip back any existing waterproofing or covering that could compromise the stability of any new coatings that may be required. Any areas requiring complete material replacement will attended to first following which all surfaces will be power washed to remove ingrained dirt and the normal build up of previous coatings. Any steel elements showing clear signs of rust are cleaned and a rust neutralizer applied. Where steel is too badly degraded, this is replaced at this stage.
Repairing Roof Leaks
On steel roofs, individual roofing fasteners are either tightened, replaced or added where they are found to be missing. On concrete roofs, joints are re-caulked, and new waterproof reinforcing membranes are installed and all penetrations properly sealed. Flashings, air conditioning units, stacks, vents, skylights etc are treated with durable, rubber based mastic thus ensuring a durable long lasting seal.
Where internal support structures such as rafters, or battens or structural steel supports are found to be degraded or damaged by water ingress, this is repaired or replaced at this stage. Provided it has been budgeted for, insulation is replaced and ceilings and cornices are repaired or patched according to the clients instructions.
Site managers conduct regular inspections and photographically record all work done at each stage of the project. This serves as a record for the client and is also referred to should there be any warranty claims in future.
Once problem areas have been rehabilitated, the task of preparing the roof for the final rubber based coatings commences.
All surfaces are primed with a premium product to ensure maximum protection and adhesion of the rubberised base coats and the final sealing coating.
Gutters
Prior to sealing the roof, it is best to refurbish or replace gutters where necessary. If it is felt that existing gutters are in reasonable condition then we advocate that they be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the final coating.
Base Coat And Sealing Your Roof
Once we feel that the roof is suitably prepared, we commence with the application of a base coat and sealing coating. Base coats are critical as these are designed to seal your roof and provide an air-tight protective layer in preparation for the final layer. Two base layer coats are applied thus preventing problem areas occurring due to layers of varying thicknesses.
The final coat ensures that your roof is now watertight, sealed and adequately protected against South Africa’s extreme climate for the foreseeable future.
Do You Have a Roofing Problem
If you have a roofing problem and would like to discuss your situation with a professional waterproofing specialist or would like to avail yourself of Mpumalanga Rubber (Pty) Ltd’s roof repair services, please feel free to fill out our contact form or call us on 013 692 5125 – 071 674 4550 or 082 824 6590. Our industrial and commercial roof repair teams are deployed throughout South Africa and it’s neighbouring states including: Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola.
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Mpumalanga Rubber (Pty) Ltd
Contact Telephone
Tel: 013 692 5125 Fax: 013 692 3324Contact numbers:
Mobile: 071 674 4550 Danie Jacobsz DirectorMobile: 073 595 4189 Franklin Ngove Director
Mobile: 082 824 6590 Neels Potgieter Operations Manager Fax: 086 659 4283
E-mail Address
E mail : info@mpumalangarubber.co.zaE mail: danie@mpumalangarubber.co.za Website: www.mpumalangarubber.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mprubber
Workshop Address:
1 Stevenson Street
Extension 25
Witbank
1035
VAT No: 4930258258
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Office Address:
1 Stevenson Street Witbank 1049Memberships:
Member of DWASA WAG SAFCEC CORRISA CIDB 2SN 3CE 3GB Master Builders Association RAWI, SA Quality InstituteEstablished in 2010Postal Address:
P O Box 41599 Reyno Ridge Witbank 1049
Workshop Address:
1 Stevenson Street
Witbank
1035
VAT No: 4930258258
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