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The Consequences of Putting off Commercial Roof Repairs

Between normal business expenses and making sure your employees go home with a paycheck, it can be hard to squeeze in the extra money for commercial roof repairs. 

“Ignoring” the issue might seem like a better idea. 

But putting off the repairs can backfire big time. 

Keep reading below to learn why you should always take care of roof repairs—even if they’re small—right away. 

The Damage Will Keep Getting Worse 

If you put off repairing your commercial roof, the damage will just keep getting worse over time. Even a single missing shingle can lead to much more serious problems if you ignore it. 

For example, a missing shingle can turn into a small leak. A small leak can destroy your insulation, drywall, and electrical system. 

Because of this, your office appliances, like your computers and phones, can stop working. Without these appliances, your entire business can get “put on hold” until you get everything back up and running. 

But even if this downtime is short, you can lose money and clients.  

It’ll Turn into a Health Hazard 

A damaged roof doesn’t just pose a risk to your office appliances, it can turn into a serious health hazard. 

As water works its way through your roof, it will absorb into the insulation, structural components, and drywall. If these things don’t get a chance to dry out, they’ll start to mold. 

Working in a commercial building that has mold can lead to the following health concerns:

• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose
• Coughing 
• Wheezing
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy skin
• Sore throat 
• Nosebleeds 

Prolonged exposure to this mold can cause even more serious symptoms:

• Allergic reactions
• Trouble breathing
• Asthma 
• Headaches 
• Trouble concentrating 
• Memory loss 
• General pain 
• Anxiety 

Employees who don’t feel well or can’t concentrate on their jobs will have trouble being productive, which can hurt your business’s bottom line. Mold, even if you can’t see it, can also keep customers from walking through your doors. 

It’ll Turn into a Safety Hazard 

When it comes to water, wood acts like a sponge. In other words, the water from even a small leak can soak through a large portion of your building if left alone. This can damage the structural integrity of your building. 

Other types of roof damage can also turn into a safety hazard. For example, a sagging roof is at risk of collapsing entirely, which could destroy important equipment or documents and send you and your employees to the hospital. 

You’ll Spend More Money in the Long Run

When you put off commercial roof repairs, you’re setting yourself up to pay more money later. 

A minor roof repair won’t cost a lot of money to fix. But if you let that small roof repair get worse, you might have to fix the roof, tear out the insulation and drywall, replace your electrical system, etc. 

These extra expenses add up fast, and they are completely avoidable if you take care of the problem right away instead of waiting. 

Your Energy Bill Will Go Up

Depending on the type of damage you’re dealing with, your roof repair could cause your energy bill to go up. 

The conditioned air inside your building can escape through small gaps, such as a new leak. This means your air conditioner or heating unit will have to work harder to keep the building at the right temperature. In other words, they’ll suck up more energy to do the same amount of work, which means you have to spend more money. 

Don’t have an AC or heating system?

That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. 

A small leak or damaged insulation can also let the outside air into your building, meaning your building can get colder or hotter than normal. And if you’re employees aren’t working in a comfortable temperature, they’ll be less productive. 

This means your business loses more money. 

Insurance Companies Will Blame You

You can’t rely on your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs if you put off your commercial roof repairs. 

Most of the time, insurance companies will help pay for the cost of repairing your roof. But if you wait and let the problem get worse, your insurance company might not be as friendly. 

Many insurance companies are very critical of people who let their roof repairs get out of hand. They’ll even blame you for the damage since it was your negligence that let it get that bad. 

So if you want any help from your insurance company, you should report even small damages right away. 

It Shortens the Life of Your Roof

Your commercial roof should last 20 to 25 years. But that lifespan can be cut short if you don’t maintain your roof. 

Instead of fixing a simple leak, you might end up having to replace the entire roof. This is not only expensive, but it’s also time-consuming and can get in the way of your normal business.  

Understanding the Consequences of Putting off Commercial Roof Repair 

Putting off a small commercial roof repair might seem like a win-win. You don’t have to spend any money, and the damage is too small to cause a problem. 

But that’s not true. 

Even a small roof repair can turn into a serious issue if you don’t take care of it. Because of that, you should contact a commercial roof contractor as soon as you notice any signs of damage. 

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