Commercial buildings can come in many different forms, but they all need a solid roof to protect everything inside. That’s where a commercial roofer comes in. Colorado Springs Roofer has special skills like decoding, building blueprints, and understanding safety procedures.

ZipRecruiter has identified the top ten cities for Commercial Roofer salaries, with San Jose, CA, leading the pack at 20% above the national average.

In a growing industry, some Commercial Roofers offer clients the option of adding a rooftop garden or solar panels. These structures are designed to use unused space and help businesses reduce their energy costs while positively impacting the environment.

These green roofs are typically planted with sedum, mosses or other low-growing plants. In addition to reducing energy costs and water runoff, these roofs provide habitat for wildlife and support local biodiversity. They can also be used to create an aesthetic or serve as a rainwater retention system.

If a client’s roof cannot handle the additional weight, solar panels can be installed on ground level spaces. These are referred to as solar panel gardens. Often, these systems are monitored 24/7 to ensure they operate properly.

As the popularity of these green roofs grows, more cities are mandating that new commercial and residential buildings top their flat roofs with plants, solar panels or a combination of the three. For example, NYC is in the process of trading its original glass-dominated skyline for one that’s topped with green roofs, wind turbines and plants.

If a business is interested in installing either solar or a rooftop garden, they should consult with a professional to determine whether the structure is feasible on their building’s roof. Some factors to consider are the roof’s load capacity, sun exposure and temperature.

The rooftop of a commercial structure is more than just a place to store inventory, conduct business and perform repairs. It is also a space that must be protected from harsh weather conditions and other environmental factors that can negatively impact operations, product quality, customer satisfaction or employee safety. Whether the roof is protecting the inventory of a grocery store or housing mechanical equipment, there are various structures that can be built on top to enhance functionality and aesthetics of a building.

A green roof is an exterior landscape system consisting of an integrated assembly of a roof deck and additional landscape material components including growing media, engineered soils, filter fabric and integral drainage systems to support the growth of vegetation. A green roof can be constructed in-situ or can consist of pre-vegetated trays that are assembled on the surface of the roof.

An enclosed rooftop structure enclosing a shaft, stairway, tank or service equipment that is not designed or used for human occupancy. These structures must be separated from the building below with construction that has a fire-resistance rating of at least 1.5 hours and openings protected by means other than fire-rated glazing.

A BUR (built-up roofing) system consists of alternating layers of bitumen (asphalt) and reinforcing fabrics called felts or ply sheets that are bonded together with the bitumen. Depending on the number of plies in a BUR system (four plies denotes a four-layer flat roof membrane), it can provide significant thermal shock protection, resistance to mildew, superior puncture resistance and exceptional durability. A BUR system can be installed on either a flat or sloped roof. It is fastened to the roof substrate using a specified adhesive (solvent-based, water-based or asphalt). A fully adhered membrane system provides an attractive finish for a roof and requires less maintenance.

Commercial buildings’ roofs are home to various equipment and plants. These items require regular maintenance to prevent damage and to ensure occupant safety. Facilities managers that take a proactive approach to rooftop maintenance can save money and time in the long run, while improving their building’s indoor air quality.

Commercial roofers offer several maintenance services for rooftops, from cleaning and inspection to repair and replacement. They can also help with roof installation of solar panels and other energy-saving features. They are skilled in various roofing materials and methods, including EPDM, pvc and TPO membranes. They are also familiar with the tools of the trade and the safety procedures required to perform their duties safely.

In addition to visual inspections of the shingles, a commercial roofer will check for signs of wear and tear and fungus growth. They may replace or repair any damaged shingles and will remove any moss or algae from the roof surface. They will also clean out drain pipes and prevent clogs. If necessary, a roofer will inspect the electrical connections and test them for fraying or other damage that could cause a fire.

Skylights pose a fall hazard for workers on the roof, so they must be properly guarded or secured with personal protective equipment. These professionals will also check the condition of all skylight screens and hoods, and they will clear the drain lines to avoid excess moisture that can damage the structure of the roof.

It’s important for a commercial roofer to have good communication skills, especially when working with customers. They must be able to understand the customer’s needs and explain their options clearly. In addition, they must be able to answer questions about the work being done and the costs involved.

A Commercial Roofer’s job prospects vary by location, with the top 10 cities paying significantly above the national average of $45,002. However, it’s possible to earn more in other industries, so the salary isn’t a strong indicator of career advancement potential for this occupation. In the top ten are San Jose, CA, Oakland, CA and Hayward, CA, each beating the national average by more than $8,000. These jobs also have higher cost-of-living rates, so they may not be as lucrative as some other roles.

A leaky roof isn’t just a nuisance: It can lead to expensive damage that compromises the structure of a building, leads to costly loss of inventory and creates health hazards for people entering or working in the premises. The good news is that most leaks are easy to find and fix, if you know where to look for them.

Check for water stains and black marks on ceilings and walls. These spots indicate where water has been leaking from the roof to the interior. It is also a good idea to inspect gutters and downspouts regularly.

Often the cause of a roof leak is at the point where the roof meets the soffit. To waterproof this joint, start by removing a strip of shingles down to the wood sheathing and slip a strip of adhesive ice-and-water barrier (available where roofing repair products are sold) under the soffit/main roof joint. Then lay a piece of metal step flashing, which is available where roofing materials are sold, over the wood sheathing and shingle strip, then reshingle. The flashing should extend at least 2 in (6 cm) beyond the fascia board and overlap a piece of metal valley flashing, which is laid over the joint where two roofs meet.

Other common leaks occur at plumbing vent boots, which can be made of plastic or a combination of plastic and metal. To prevent leaks from the vent, first make sure the rubber boot surrounding the pipe is not rotting or torn, which can allow water to seep through. Then inspect the base of the vent to see if it is cracked or broken, and replace the vent if necessary. If you have nails sticking out of the bottom of the vent, remove them and replace with rubber-washered screws.

Unlike shinglers, Commercial Roofers are qualified in more than just roofing. They can also perform a wide variety of other jobs that require mechanical skills, including electrical work and welding. This means that a good Commercial Roofer can handle jobs on top of a roof that would otherwise require an experienced carpenter or general contractor.