Maintenance Needs for Commercial PVC Roofing

When it comes to installing commercial roofs, you won’t want to find a way to cut costs by choosing a cheap material.

The condition of your commercial roof is essential to ensuring that your business continues to run, uninterrupted. The last thing you’ll want to do is risk water damage to your furniture, equipment and/or products, nor will you want to risk having to temporarily shut your business down in order to repairs. One type of commercial roofing that you might want to consider is PVC roofing.

What is PVC Roofing?

When it comes to single-ply roofing, PVC roofing is one of the best. It’s known for lasting a long time, for being watertight (and therefore helping to prevent leaks), and for providing excellent reflectivity, which improves the roof’s energy efficiency.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is commonly used in piping for plumbing systems. However, PVC roofing is a little different. Its membrane is not nearly as rigid as PVC piping is due to the fact that the material also uses stabilizers, plasticizers, and other additives to make it more pliable and durable. The PVC roof’s membrane is reinforced using a woven scrim that’s laminated between two sheets of membrane.

PVC membrane is installed in sheets that range from six to 12 feet wide. They are heat welded to the deck of the roof, thereby creating a single continuous membrane that covers the entire roof. Depending on the manufacturer, the sheets are often custom manufactured to fit the specific size of the commercial building.

What Kind of Maintenance Does PVC Roofing Require?

As durable as PVC roofs are, they still require regular maintenance. You’ll want to schedule regular inspections so that you can catch any potential issues before they cause major problems. During regular maintenance, the roof will be inspected for any leaks or damage that could potentially result in water damage to the decking of the roof or the insulation inside. As with most systems, the primary issues that require maintenance are flashing points like: wall and curb terminations, pitch pockets where flexible lines run through, and roof drains.  It is also critical to find and repair third party (damage caused by others or by storms) damage before it causes significant damage to the roofing system or the building.  

Here at Jewett Roofing Company, we offer thorough commercial flat roof inspections, including PVC roof inspections. All of our technicians must go through our Certified Roof Repair Technician Program to ensure that they can perform high-quality roof maintenance and provide exceptional customer service. To schedule a PVC roofing inspection or to schedule an installation, contact Jewett Roofing Company in St. Louis, MO, today.