In May 2017, a severe hailstorm rained down on the greater Denver area, and among the casualties was the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood. The roof wasn’t even 20 years old, but the damage was enough to close the more than one-million square foot facility, leading to an estimated $350,000 in monthly sales tax losses. Although this collapse was created by a severe weather event, the potential cost to repair or replace a commercial roof can be overwhelming.

While severe weather is an extreme example, there are many other ways a building’s roof can be susceptible to catastrophic destruction and costs . Regardless of how large your roof may be, the most common cause of damage is a lack of proper maintenance.

The best way to deal with unforeseen commercial roofing disasters is to have a good understanding of what risks to watch out for with routine roofing maintenance. Here are 7 of the most common risks of postponing commercial roof repairs.

1. Water damage

Perhaps the most obvious risk of delaying commercial roof repairs is the accumulation of water damage. The longer your roof goes without a commercial roof inspection, the higher your risk of having water damage.

An inspection will help you identify and prevent substantial damage from a commercial roof leak in any weakened areas, saving you a lot of money.

2. Pests

When your roof sustains damage, it might lead to cracks and other opportunities for small animals and pests to sneak in and make themselves at home. Any homeowner knows that this isn’t a good thing, as pests can lead to even more damage down the road—resulting in costly roof repairs.

The best thing to do to prevent pests from taking up residence in your roof is to schedule regular commercial roof inspections with a trusted professional.

3. Mold

Mold is a property owner’s worst nightmare, and you want to do as much as possible to prevent it from developing. The presence of mold can create serious health issues for the people who work in a commercial building, and it can be bad enough to shut a facility down for mold abatement if necessary.

But the truth is that the longer you wait to inspect and schedule commercial roof repairs, the higher your risk of sustaining water damage and mold issues.

4. Fire damage

The threat of a fire is omnipresent for home and business owners alike, but many people overlook the possibility of a fire occurring as the result of a leaking roof.

Obviously, water and electricity are a bad combination, and commercial roofs are especially susceptible to leaks. That means the leaking water may find its way to any wiring that exists in your roof and cause a fire. One of the best things you can do to prevent a commercial electrical fire is to make sure your roof is free from any leaks and other damage.

5. Structural damage

In addition to fire, mold, infestation, and water damage, a commercial roof issue might lead to structural damage. In fact, a sagging roof is one of the leading causes of structural damage for commercial buildings.

Water damage isn’t the only reason your commercial roof might be suffering—it could also be caused by things like a termite infestation or poor construction. Putting off a commercial roof inspection or repair won’t offer any solutions to structural issues, and could instead cause problems. You don’t want to be dealing with a possible collapse of your roof if you don’t pay close enough attention to it!

6. Energy consumption increases

One of the unforeseen risks you run by postponing commercial roof repairs (or inspections) is wasted money from energy loss. Similar to how your home loses energy because of drafty windows, doors, and joints, so will your commercial building…but on a bigger scale.

Knowing where your building might be losing energy is key to saving money and preventing further damage to your commercial building.

7. Wasting money on roof replacement

The biggest loss that comes with delaying commercial roof repairs is the cost of the roof itself. Repairing Colorado Mills Mall after that May storm was a $50 million project that covered more than 21 football fields’ worth of commercial roofing and interior repair work.

In addition to financial risks that are posed by delaying commercial roofing repairs, the damage might lead to significant health risks for the people who spend most of their time in your building.

The best way to avoid rising and fluctuating roofing costs is to have a strong maintenance program that can increase the life span of your roof. It may not stop a hailstorm but it will keep your roof from deteriorating as fast as a roof without a maintenance program. Don’t increase your chances for any of the risks listed above—contact J&K Roofing to perform a commercial roof inspection today.

J&K Roofing is a full-service roofing company and serves the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, and Northern Colorado areas with commercial and residential roofing needs.