Now that summer is over, and most of the country is done with very hot weather, it's time to take a look at your roof. Commercial roofs, which are generally flat or very low-slope, are exposed to full sunlight with very little shade. Even tall trees don't always block out all of the sun and heat. This affects the roof greatly in a couple of ways, which means the roof will need repair. 

Heat and Light Dry Out Materials

Hot weather can dry out materials, even if the humidity level is moderate. As long as the heat and humidity still allow for evaporation of moisture, the materials on your roof can dry up and crack as they contract. The cracks might not be huge, but they can cause materials to pull away from nails and edges, exposing the underlay and allowing water to drip into the building once the rainy season commences. In summer, in most areas, the air is hot and generally drier as it gets hotter, increasing the chances that your roof materials will dry up sooner.

Mold and Humidity Can Be Problems

For regions where the humidity is high, even when temperatures are high as well, it's less of a concern that your roof will dry up; instead, it is the creation of mold-friendly environments that's the problem. Mildew and mold can work their way into the building if there is any damage to the roof.

In some cases, the extra moisture from the humidity can actually make some roof materials swell. This can also damage connections where nails hold materials down. When the swelling subsides, there's enough damage left behind to let rain leak in.

UV Rays Encourage Deterioration

Regardless of humidity levels, if the sun is out, and it's hot, UV rays are likely high. And UV rays encourage deterioration. They can make your roof materials break down. As the materials crack and curl away, more water can work its way through your roof. This type of damage is subtle and needs regular inspection if you want to find it before you see water dripping through the ceiling.

In a commercial building, you need the roof to be sound. Leaks drive away customers and building tenants, and you don't want everyone to leave because you didn't have the roof checked out. Have your building's roof inspected, and if the roofers find damage, have it fixed immediately.

Contact a local roofing service, such as Roof Cat, to learn more.