Most commercial buildings have HVAC units installed on the roof. This makes such units accessible, prevents tampering by anyone on the ground, and allows for proper exhaust and ventilation so they run efficiently. HVAC rooftop installation is a practical commercial solution; however, many roofers find that it can predispose a building to roofing problems.
Those resulting problems can heighten the need for repairs by roofer services because of a number of known issues caused by rooftop HVAC installations.
Moisture Problems
HVAC units remove moisture from the air inside a building; the resulting drained condensation is moved to the outside. When installed on a roof, drained water runs onto the surface of the roof, often pooling around the unit.
Roofers find this to be a common cause of leaks, especially if a unit was installed after the initial building construction or when the original unit was replaced. Between added surface condensation and the possibility of surface trauma from installation and maintenance, leaks are a concern in these situations.
Trauma to the Membrane
Because installation is done on a flat roof surface that includes some type of membrane often covered with gravel, HVAC installation and maintenance is a primary cause of trauma to the membrane surface for a number of reasons.
- To securely attach these units, the roof must be drilled through which creates new areas that may leak if not properly protected.
- Roofer services find that contractors walking and working on the top of the building can damage the membrane, causing surface splits and cracks. Not all contractors are trained to protect a flat roof surface when doing maintenance or making repairs on the HVAC.
Either situation can result in serious issues later on and the need to bring in roofers to make repairs.
Improper Installation
Roofer services that make repairs find HVAC installations have often been done with no regard for roof protection or no way to drain condensation from the unit. Many HVAC contractors may not understand just how fragile the membrane system actually is and the various techniques that must be used for damage protection.
Improper installation can cause tears around the installation area, add to wind uplift of the membrane surrounding the unit, and decrease snow load handling ability of that portion of the roof.
In light of all these possibilities, HVAC installation must be done carefully by contractors who know how to protect the roof surface. To reduce the possibility of damage that can result in a need for repair by roofer services, it is best that HVAC work be done alongside a qualified roofer, especially when such work is not part of a new construction.
Experienced commercial roofers play an important role in helping ensure there is proper drainage, well-protected attachment points, and unit placement where it will not cause the membrane surface to be damaged or fail!
