The penthouse suite of a condominium is usually the most expensive unit. It offers prestige, jaw-dropping panoramic views and solace in that you’ll never hear footsteps from upstairs neighbors.
There is one downside, though. If there’s a roof leak, penthouse residents are the first ones to know about it.
However, roof problems impact everyone in the building. That’s why Target Roofing & Sheet Metal specializes in roof installations, repairs and replacements for high-rise buildings, including condominiums and office buildings in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach and up to Sarasota. A high-rise’s roof protects an investment that easily runs in the tens of millions of dollars, plus personal belongings and the lives of tenants.
Here’s how a roof affects everyone in a high-rise:
Watertight seal
Roofs are designed to act as a watertight seal for buildings. If rainwater penetrates that seal, it can enter a building and damage insulation and drywall. It can get into stairwells and create slip hazards. It can get into elevator shafts and cause metal to rust. It can ruin wiring, which creates electrical hazards. It can even lead to insect infestations and provide a breeding ground for critters of all types.
Building exterior
High-rise buildings have flat, or low-slope, roofs. They are engineered to use gravity to drain rainwater. If those channels are obstructed or damaged, rainwater might not run down a gutter or downspout. Instead, it could pool up, creating added pressure on the roof and ultimately decay roofing materials. It could run down the side of a building, and the continuous moisture stream can darken paint and foster mold growth. That rainwater also can enter lower units in a building through improperly sealed windows.
Hurricane damage
Florida’s strong building codes require that roofs be able to withstand strong tropical storms and hurricanes. Those weather systems, however, expose pre-existing problems, like displaced flashing, damaged TPO and clogged drains. Winds generally increase at higher elevations, so high-rise roofs need to be constructed like impenetrable fortresses. High winds can shred roofing materials, peeling away layers until a building has no more protection.
Financial impacts
All residents of a high-rise, not just those living in the penthouse suite, pay HOA dues that cover building maintenance. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) suggests semi-annual roof inspections to catch small issues before they become big problems. Target Roofing recommends that associations, building managers and property owners secure annual maintenance plans to ensure inspections and repairs, if necessary, are made in a timely manner.
Do you know when your high-rise’s roof was last inspected? Do you know when it was installed? Contact Target Roofing today at 239-332-5707 for a FREE estimate and learn about how annual maintenance plans can save time and money – and your roof!
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