Commercial roofing in Perth
Commercial roofing covers repairs, re-sheeting and full replacement on warehouses, factories, shops, offices, schools, churches and strata buildings. Roofing Perth arranges commercial roofing across the Perth metro area through independent local roofing contractors. They inspect the roof, look at access and safety, and quote a staged plan that keeps the building usable.
What makes commercial roofs different
- Size and pitch. Large, low-pitch roofs move water slowly and rely on box gutters and sumps.
- Penetrations. Exhaust fans, air-conditioning plant, skylights and solar arrays all break the roof surface.
- People underneath. Staff, customers, stock and tenants all need protecting while work goes on.
- Access and safety. Edge protection, walkways and sometimes cranes are part of the job.
- Asbestos. Many older industrial and commercial buildings in Perth have asbestos cement roofing or cladding.
Common commercial roof problems
- Box gutter overflow in heavy winter rain, sending water inside the building.
- Rusted laps and fixings, especially in industrial areas and near the coast.
- Failed skylights that have discoloured, cracked or lost their seals.
- Damage around plant, where trades have walked or fixed equipment without proper flashings.
- Wind uplift where fixings have loosened over years of winter fronts.
Repair, re-sheet or replace
A roof with a few failing sheets, skylights or flashings can often be repaired in a day or two. A roof with widespread rust, repeated leaks or an asbestos surface usually needs re-sheeting or full replacement. The contractor should give you a written report with photos so the owner, property manager or strata council can decide.
Planning the job around the business
- Agree work hours and quiet times in advance.
- Plan which sections are opened each day and how they are sealed overnight.
- Keep a path clear for deliveries and emergency exits.
- Protect stock and equipment below with sheeting where needed.
- Tell tenants or staff about noise, vehicles and restricted areas.
Documents to ask for
Commercial clients and strata managers usually need more paperwork than homeowners. Ask for:
- current public liability and workers compensation insurance certificates;
- the contractor's building registration where the work requires it;
- safe work method statements for high-risk work, including work at height;
- the asbestos removalist's licence if asbestos is involved;
- a scope that names materials and lists exclusions.
We ask the contractors we work with to hold the registrations and insurance the job needs. Ask to see them before work starts.
Related reading
See flat roof replacement for low-pitch detail, asbestos roof replacement for older buildings, and metal roof replacement for rusted sheeting. Commercial jobs are priced individually after inspection; see the cost guide for the factors involved.
Maintenance between replacements
Commercial roofs last longer when someone looks at them regularly. A sensible routine for a Perth building is an inspection before winter, when box gutters, sumps and overflows are cleared and fixings and flashings checked, and another after any severe storm. Keep a simple roof log: dates, photos, what was found and what was done. It helps insurers, buyers and strata councils, and it means problems are caught while they are still repairs. Trades who work on roof-mounted plant should use walkways and report any damage they cause, because foot traffic is one of the most common causes of leaks on commercial roofs.