When you think of a season that does the most damage and is the hardest on a roof, you probably think winter. With all of the rain, sleet, and snow, the winter months put a lot of pressure on a commercial roof—literally. But, did you know that summer, especially in North Texas, can bring brutal heat that actually is more harmful than winter weather?
Because of the heat mixed with the long hours of daylight and the crazy, unpredictable thunderstorms that always happen at least a couple of times each summer, commercial roof structures are at more danger during the summer months.

It’s important that building owners be aware of the summer heat and make preventative maintenance a priority.

The summer heat in Texas is brutal. And the roof is the first thing exposed to this heat. Heat causes expansion. And, thus, when the heat is gone—when the sun sets—shrinking takes place. This is a natural process, but the repetition of stretching and shrinking of a roof causes wear and tear and weakening to a roof system.

Other side effects of this process include cracks that develop as different parts of the roof shrink and expand at different rates. Then, once the roof system has cracks in it, it becomes susceptible to leaks.

While this process is natural, there are some preventative measures you can take to limit the amount of damage to the roof system.

To preserve your building, you need to preserve your commercial roof. Having a routine roof inspection helps you to know if any damage has already been done. Hiring a professional for a commercial roof inspection is ideal, to minimize damage, which often happens from foot traffic. A professional also knows what to look for—signs of wear and tear, any areas that are vulnerable to mishaps, and a vitality report of your roof surface.

During the inspection, a professional will look at the chimney, vents, skylights, and any other gap to make sure that every hole is sealed properly with flashing. Over time, flashing becomes loose, cracks, wears out, and becomes porous. An inspection finds any loose flashing and prevents leaks.

Finally, a professional will look for signs of water damage and check the drainage system. Flat roofs in commercial roofing are the most common. And, unfortunately, they are vulnerable to ponding—water sitting stagnant in one spot on the roof. Ponding is the result of material warping, wood deforming, etc.

Make sure that the summer heat doesn’t damage your commercial roof system by having a proper roof inspection. This investment will save you tremendously in the long run.