How Water Resistant Roofs Protect Large Warehouses

Warehouse and commercial roofs are specifically designed to withstand a variety of rough conditions and everyday wear and tear. But even the toughest warehouse roofing can be compromised by the effects of extreme weather.

Making sure a large warehouse or commercial building has a water-resistant roof can help prevent small leaks from turning into big problems that can cause expensive damage.

In this article, we'll discuss how to protect the roofs of commercial buildings, including the benefits of water-resistant roofs for large warehouses or commercial buildings, the materials and methods available, and some tips and techniques for protection.

Water-Resistant Materials for Warehouse Roofs

Luckily, roofing has come a long way since the Egyptians applied bitumen emulsion to the pyramids, although bitumen is still used in commercial waterproof applications to this day.

There are a variety of other solutions on the market that can help prevent water-related roofing issues, including pre-formed or sheet-based waterproofing membranes, liquid-applied membranes, and cementitious coatings.

• Pre-formed or sheet membranes: Particularly popular for flat or low-slope roofs, pre-formed or sheet membranes offer a high degree of flexibility and protection. Since they are self-adhesive, they're easy to apply and can include reflective properties that keep heat away from the building.
• Liquid-applied membrane: This extremely flexible product uses three layers of coating to provide a secure layer of long-lasting, seamless protection. It can be sprayed or rolled onto a variety of surfaces and can be applied around existing fixtures. Liquid-applied coatings can also easily fill in any existing gaps or cracks, and roofs can be recoated numerous times during their life spans, further extending their longevity.
• Cementitious coatings: What do you get when you combine common cement with an agent like synthetic emulsion polymer? An easy-to-apply, breathable, water-resistant barrier that offers superior bonding strength and can be applied over most concrete and masonry surfaces. That's why cementitious coatings are the preferred choice for moisture-vapor-rich areas such as building foundations, basements and tunnels.

Residential vs. Commercial Roofs

While it might seem like protecting a warehouse roof would be very similar to waterproofing a residential roof, there are some unique challenges when it comes to industrial roofing.

For one thing, warehouse roofs are much larger and more complex than the average residential roof. The building's footprint is huge, and a warehouse roof has a variety of existing external fixtures or architectural features, including HVAC and filtration systems, skylights, antennas or other communications infrastructure, smokestacks, water tanks and even solar panels. In comparison, a residential roof has far fewer fixtures.

In addition, warehouse roofs tend to be flat or low-sloped, which allows easy access for technicians or maintenance personnel who need to gain access to the roof. In contrast, most residential roofs are typically pitched or sloped and aren't designed to be walked on regularly. A flat commercial roof also allows snow and water to collect and penetrate the structure, while a sloped residential roof is designed to deflect snow and rain.

Warehouse roofs and residential roofs also rely on different materials. Most residential buildings use shingles, which makes it easy to replace a damaged shingle. Warehouse roofs, meanwhile, tend to be made of cement, metal or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) roof membrane and a built-up roofing (BUR) membrane, which covers the whole building. This means it is not as easy to remove and replace a single section of the roof.

Tips for Ensuring Large Warehouses Are Protected

To protect a large warehouse and its assets, there are a few things to add to your to-do list:

• Inspect the roof: Before undertaking any roofing project, it's important to conduct a thorough inspection of the warehouse roof. This will help identify any existing damage or areas that need specific attention.
• Prepare for work: Any identified issues should be flagged with the roofing professional undertaking the work. The roof should be cleared of all debris and prepped to apply the waterproofing material.
• Communicate with employees: For safety and awareness, let warehouse workers know that roofing work is being done and make sure they do not need to access the roof or surrounding area.
• Regular maintenance: Regular roof maintenance is essential to ensure the continued effectiveness of the protective material and to keep roofs in good condition. A warehouse roof should be inspected and maintained every six months.

Importance of a Water-Resistant Warehouse Roof

Commercial and warehouse buildings need a roofing material to protect them from harsh weather conditions such as high heat, cold or heavy rain. When too much rain or snow falls within a short period, water can pool and roofs can collapse. When a warehouse roof has degraded due to excessive heat or sun, roofing materials can start to split and crack, allowing water to seep in and compromise the building structure slowly.

The last thing a warehouse building owner wants is to close down a building due to water damage, so it's essential to have the roof properly protected from the start.