Commercial Roofing Problems and Their Solutions


I’m worried about the age of my roof.

A: The older a roof gets the more it dries out and starts to deteriorate. However, a roof that is properly maintained can last a lot longer than one is led to believe. An inspection can give you an approximate prediction of your roof’s life and also a solution of how to extend its life.

My roof is continually wet near the air conditioner. Is this a problem?

A: Yes. This leads to accelerated deterioration of the roofing materials in these areas, which can in turn cause structural damage to the roofs support structure. So it’s best for your roof and your bank account to repair faulty air conditioners or their drain lines.

There are bare spots on my roof with black paper showing through.

A: The granules are delaminating from the roof. This is a sign that the roof is drying out, but there are some simple and economical solutions to this problem depending on how severe. You should do something if this is occurring, otherwise you will be looking at a reroof in the very near future. One of the liquid applied Cool Roof systems can usually give you many additional years from your existing roof.

What is the best roofing for my building?

A: This can be determined through an inspection by a representative of The Cool Roof Company. Each structure is different in roof type, condition, age etc. Also, your budget or future plans for the building will help determine the best cool roof solution for your needs.

What’s the best roofing material for a Southern California roof?

A: The one that lasts the longest for the least money and is of the proper type for the construction of the roof. The building structure determines some of the roof materials that can be used because of its shape or its structural conditions. Another is how much money you would like to spend? The sky’s the limit and roofing can get pricy, but you can get very long term roofing. You need to determine the roof that fits your buildings needs in order to get the maximum benefits—leak free, energy savings, possible tax benefits, low maintenance etc.

It looks like my commercial roof may be buckling or warping. Can this be repaired or do I need a new roof?

A: This is not entirely uncommon, unfortunately, and usually stems from the incorrect installation of one of the first components installed on a new roof. Our skilled technicians can repair the problem in most cases, unless too extreme.

Do I need to be worried about condensation collecting on my flat roof?

A: This typically poses no problem, as long as the drainage is in good condition. Roofs are meant to shed water and moisture.

I have broken or missing downspouts. Is this really a problem?

A: Yes, you should have them repaired or replaced. These are meant to remove water off a roof and away from the building. Neglecting this can lead to damage to the structure, including settlement of the buildings foundation.

Where do I find out the laws pertaining to “green roofing” and Title 24 requirements?

A: Go to http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/

How do I stop roof leaks without spending a fortune or getting a new roof?

A: This requires a competent roofer, who really understands his craft, to evaluate the situation and your needs. There are many solutions which can guarantee a leak free roof without spending a fortune. It is important that we establish what you’re trying to accomplish: budget, short or long term, preventative maintenance etc. In this way you can get something tailored to your needs! The Cool Roof Company specializes in providing economical solutions to your particular problem.

Why do I repeatedly have leaks in the same area when the roof is not that old?

A: This can be caused by many things, usually poor drainage and ponding. Ponding is caused by a low area or areas in the roof where water collects and doesn’t drain off, which can take days to evaporate. Roofing materials are designed to shed water, not contain water for any length of time.

How do I make sure I get the longest lasting commercial roof?

A: Get some education on the subject. A good roofing contractor will supply you information, samples, track records of different types of roofs he has installed or other types of roofs that are out there. It’s not a complicated field to learn about in order to make a sound decision. It’s hard to make a good decision on price alone.

How can I tell if my building needs a new roof?

A: Make an appointment for an inspection with a Cool Roof Company representative. He will be happy to include you in the inspection of your existing system, and thereby give you a better understanding of any existing or foreseeable problems, or even advise on avoiding common roof problems. There are very definite things to look for—not just a few leaks.

I’m spending a large sum to cool my Commercial Building in the summer. Would a new roof help?

A: It could, but this too would be at a very high cost. This would involve a complete removal of the existing roof and installing insulation, plus an entirely new roof, which comes at great expense. The Cool Roof Company was formed to provide a less costly solution to this problem and to fulfill the state building code requirements that were recently enacted. This is accomplished through the use of specialized coatings that are designed to reflect the sun’s rays instead of absorbing them, as does a conventional roof. This eliminates the need to install insulation.

How can I tell that my commercial roof is getting old and needs replacement?

A: It is best to have it evaluated by a qualified roofing contractor, though quite often this can be biased due to the roofer’s knowledge and experience. I’ve witnessed premature replacements because of a few leaks where a quality repair would have been a very good solution. An honest contractor will be able to show you observable facts that make sense, which can help you make an informed decision.

How do I prevent ponding problems on my flat roof?

A: Ponding is a big problem on flat roofs, which has largely been ignored in the roofing industry due to a lack of a workable solution. The Cool Roof Company has developed a solution to eliminate or drastically reduce this problem, which at the same time repairs any damage that has occurred to the existing roof surface in the low lying areas.

My roof seems to have very poor drainage. Can anything be done about it?

A: Some roofs have inadequate drainage, but it can be improved in a variety of ways, from enlarging a drain, installing additional drains, improving slope or leveling out ponding areas. It depends on the situation. Let us inspect it to find out what is really going on. As an example, many older buildings settle over the years and change their shape, which can throw off the drainage in dramatic ways.


Can I reroof over my existing roof to save money?

A: No. All flat roofs per code need to be removed down to the wood deck. Multiple layers used to be allowed, although not anymore in Los Angeles. Before considering a complete roof replacement you should contact The Cool Roof Company to request an inspection and estimate for an alternate solution. The Cool Roof Company has the ability to restore almost any roof and can provide warrantees to back it up, and all at substantial savings over the cost of a conventional reroof.

What can I do about roof debris and keeping drains clear?

A: This can largely be controlled with our annual maintenance program, although some properties could require additional inspection and debris removal throughout the rainy season, due to local conditions.

I’ve heard about commercial roof maintenance, but are all programs the same?

A: No. Each company’s maintenance program is different. You want a company with a broad range of knowledge and a program that covers the entire roof system, reports to you what was checked, what was done and where, the overall condition of roof and preventative maintenance solutions. The Cool Roof Company can tailor an economical maintenance program to fit your particular needs and roof system.
What can I do to ensure I won’t have any roofing problems?

A: In keeping with the goals of The Cool Roof Company, to reduce the sometimes burdensome cost of owning and maintaining a commercial flat roof, providing products that can extend the life of an existing new or old roof is another service provided. A relatively inexpensive application of cool roofing materials can almost indefinitely extend the useful working life of an existing roof system. Once in place, our annual maintenance program can help ward off or identify potential problems and keep up with minor repairs, which if neglected, turn into larger repairs or problems.

What signs should I look for to avoid big roofing problems?

A: Tars drying out and cracking, granules coming off the cap sheet, ponding, non-roofing tradesmen doing roof work or installing equipment on the roof, trash and debris buildup on the surface, leaking air conditioners, deferred maintenance—to name a few.

My masonry walls feel damp. Is this a roofing problem or something else?

A: It depends on where the wall is located in relation to the roofing and other factors. Dampness should always be looked into. Have a professional inspection done.

I have heavy wrinkling and sagging of materials on my parapet walls.

A: The roofing didn’t properly adhere to the wall or shortcuts were taken. This should be corrected, as it can allow severe water intrusion into the building under certain conditions.

My building is in Southern California, so do I have to worry about weathering?

A: Hot and dry climates are hard on roofs and can dry out faster than in other climates. One should be just as concerned as those under other extremes.

What are the bright white roofs I have seen?

They are likely what is known as a cool roof. Click on this link to learn about cool roofing on our website.


My warehouse gets very hot in summer weather and it is not economical to air condition the space. Would I benefit from a cool roof?

Yes! A cool roof solution can lower the surface temperature of the roof by 50º - 60º or more. This will lower the temperature in the warehouse, dramatically. We have heard the unsolicited testimonies of warehouse workers concerning the vastly improved working conditions.