The commercial roofs in Las Vegas must withstand extreme sun and wind forces, which makes them uniquely susceptible to weather-related wear. Regular inspections are essential to ensure that small problems don't escalate into major repairs. Because of the intensity of the desert environment, the best practice is to have experts inspect the roofing systems either annually or biannually. When they perform inspections, they look for damage that could lead to leaks, such as blisters, cracks, or punctures in roofing materials. Roofing experts can find and repair minor problems before they become big ones. Property owners can pitch in, too, by making sure that their building's energy systems are running as efficiently as possible. That can sometimes involve the opaque surfaces of the roof, which is why building owners should make sure they are safe to access and that inspectors have safe access before doing anything remotely related to the planning and performing of an inspection.
In Las Vegas, a vital part of keeping a commercial roof in good condition is maintaining it free of debris and assuring that the drainage system operates correctly. Desert storms often do not provide any moisture; rather, they blow a significant amount of dust and debris around the area. This dust and debris can block drains, resulting in ponding water. If this happens, it can cause a leak. If a desert storm does not give a business roof a good scrubbing, then there is a danger that the roof will see a significant amount of dust and debris on it—potential blockages, ponding water, and an assortment of other roof problems that can cause a business owner a significant amount of money if not maintained correctly.
An essential part of maintaining commercial roofs in Las Vegas is making sure the roof isn't unduly affected by the weather. This means using roofing materials that are suited to our climate and ensuring that they are installed properly. Even the best materials can perform poorly if they aren't installed correctly. The Las Vegas roof should never have the kind of insulation that can absorb water and hold it, for example. Yet you can find many places in Las Vegas where roofs do just that. One of those places is near the National Finals Rodeo, where I was last week and couldn't help noticing several roofs in the area wrestling with the ponding problem. As for the "cool roofing" that's recommended for our high desert, well, I guess a cool roof is better than a warm one. But up close, reflective roofing looks a lot more like guttering, and I can't wait to see it in action.
