As a commercial business, you already know that a leaking or damaged roof can cause issues for you and your customers. If you have had to request commercial roofing repairs several times in the last few years, then it may be an issue with the roofing materials themselves. Some materials are better than others when it comes to reducing the chances of water damage and water pooling that can lead to leaks and wood rot. Here are a few of those materials and what to know about each one.

Proper Membrane

One of the major components of roofing materials is the use of a membrane. The waterproof membrane is designed to be a barrier between rain, snow, and humidity and the roofing of your business. The issue is that some membranes are made for dryer climates. Even standard membranes may not be as suitable as others if you are located in an area that receives heavy rains on a continuous basis. For this reason, you will need to find a heavier or thicker waterproof membrane that is rated for heavy rain areas and has a higher level of protection than some of the standard options available.

Darker Roofing

When you think about pooling water, you may not consider the color of the roofing material. The truth is, the color can matter greatly. For example, lighter-colored roofing materials do not retain heat. This means that any standing or pooling water that is not shed from the roof will stay stagnant on the roof. With a darker color, such as black shingles, the material retains the heat of the sun. The heat then helps the water to evaporate easily and allows the area to dry quicker. This process reduces the chance of pooling for long periods of time and the water damage that can come with that issue.

Seamless Joining

One issue you may be having with previous repair work on your roof could be with the way the materials join. In some cases, your previous contractors may have used a different material than the original roofing. This leads to fitting issues and joining issues that could leave gaps available for pooling and water damage. With that in mind, consider having seamless roofing materials put in place, even if it means replacing or repairing more of the roof. This will help to reduce the chances of ill-fitting gaps as well as the chance of water damage from pooling. 

Depending on your location, and the type of commercial business you have, some of these materials may be ideal. Contact your local commercial roofing contractor to discuss your options. The contractor can offer a consultation to examine your current roofing situation and the options that will work best for your needs. 

For more information on roofing materials, reach out to a commercial roof replacement company near you.