A roof’s job is to protect the interior and contents of a building. But, what if the building’s biggest threat comes from the inside?
One issue, however, is almost universally known: shrinkage. What is shrinkage and how can it impact a commercial roof? Fortunately, that answer isn’t hard to find.
Keep reading to find everything you need to know.
What is Shrinkage?
Roof shrinkage is a phenomenon that can cause serious damage to a commercial roof. It occurs when the polyester or cotton fabric used to form a roof begins to break down due to exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures.
The physical breakdown of the fibers causes the roof to shrink, leading to gaps in the fabric’s link.
These gaps allow water, dirt, and debris to enter the underlying roof structure. These add extra weight to the building and can help accelerate the deterioration of the roof.
Signs Your Roof Is Shrinking
The small cracks, pieces of shingle lifting, curling at the edges, and surface material wearing away are signs that your roof is shrinking.
You may notice patches of gravel strewn around the area. Allowing your commercial roof to shrink can lead to water infiltration, creating an unsafe and damaged roof.
The Causes of Roof Shrinkage
Shrinkage happens when the roof membrane or system becomes distorted due to the physical and dynamic forces applied to it.
These forces can be in the form of direct heat, a source of water vapor, or the wind itself. Poor adhesion and excess heat can also contribute to the accelerated shrinking of the roof membrane.
Preventing Shrinkage
To prevent shrinkage, and maintain the integrity of the roof, regular roof inspections and maintenance should be conducted.
One of the best ways to detect and prevent shrinkage is to regularly monitor the roof and look for signs of wear and tear.
The roof coating or sealing can be used to help prevent shrinkage and strengthen the roof over time.
If you notice any damage on the roof, it should be addressed and repaired as soon as possible, to minimize the overall risk of shrinkage.
Repairing Shrunken Roofs
Repairing a roof affected by shrinkage often requires replacing pieces of the damaged roofing material. It also includes the sealing of any exposed holes or cracks.
It may be necessary to reinforce structure elements like trusses to ensure the roof is adequately secured.
It is important to understand the cause and effects of shrinkage.
This is to address the issue and preserve the integrity of a commercial roof. You may contact your local commercial roofers to know more about the repairs.
Required Maintenance
Commercial roof shrinkage has a variety of implications. It occurs when the material used in a roof’s structure is exposed to extreme temperatures. Exposure to high temperatures causes it to contract and expand.
This can cause dirt, debris, and other material to accumulate in the weakened roof sections. The effectiveness is reduced in protecting the building and its assets from outside elements.
Performing regular maintenance and inspections to repair or replace any weakened parts reduce the impact of shrinkage. Proper ventilation should be installed to reduce the impact of temperature-based shrinkage. Regular maintenance ensures that any potential issues resulting from shrinkage are addressed before they become a more serious problem.
Controlling Shrinkage Through Product Selection
Commercial roof shrinkage is a term used to describe the contraction of materials during the cooling and drying process of curing. It can have an impact on the performance of a commercial roof over time.
Product selection is essential to control shrinkage. It maintains the roof properly and prevents its deterioration.
Providing certain materials and coatings and protection limit the shrinkage.
Choosing products with a suitable adhesive and sealant helps to ensure a quality seal that will minimize any shrinkage-related damage. Flexible sealants can also accommodate some degree of movement and hold up to weather conditions.
Ventilating the roof and using products with breathable membranes can further reduce the possibility of shrinkage. When in doubt, it’s best to seek the advice of a professional to ensure that the right product is selected for a particular roof or application.
The Benefits of Choosing a Shrinkage-Resistant Roofing System
It can be beneficial to choose a shrinkage-resistant roof design for any commercial space. A shrinkage-resistant roofing system can reduce the amount of cracking and buckling.
These systems are usually more durable, robust, and resistant to extreme weather, allowing for a longer useful life. Choosing a shrinkage-resistant roofing system can ensure that your commercial roof is protected. It also continues to perform and hold up over time.
Environmental Impact
Shrinkage is the process of materials shrinking or becoming compressed when heated. In the case of a commercial roof, this can lead to air leaking through seams or holes in the roof.
It results in higher energy costs and an increased environmental impact. Commercial roofs are often made from organic-based, such as rubber or plastic. And because of that, they expand and contract when exposed to changes in temperature.
This can result in air leakage, and in extreme cases, broken seals or torn membranes. So, it results in costly and environmentally damaging repairs. Regular maintenance can be done on commercial roofs to ensure shrinkage is minimal and to prevent any leakage.
Keeping the roof as moisture-free as possible can also help reduce shrinkage and its associated environmental impacts. Shrinkage can cause damage to a commercial roof if not taken care of properly.
To avoid costly repairs, it is important to inspect the roof and ensure that there are no signs of shrinkage.
Fix Your Commercial Roof Shrinkage Today!
Overall, We do hope that you’ve got an idea of what is shrinkage. Shrinkage in flat roofs can be costly and difficult to detect without professional help.
It’s important to work with a roofing contractor to inspect your roof regularly to prevent any potential issues and ensure a long-lasting roof.
Check out our other blog posts for more home and lifestyle tips.
