Roofing Risks in the Heat: Why UV Exposure Can Mean Expensive Repairs

cj91679
Jun 13
2 min read

Houston’s summer sun doesn’t just make the pavement sizzle—it puts your commercial roof to the test. With extended UV exposure, rising surface temperatures, and rapid thermal cycling, flat and low-slope commercial roofs face some of their most serious risks during the summer months.

If you manage or own a commercial property, now is the time to evaluate how well your roofing system is holding up—and whether costly damage is developing out of sight.

The Heat Is Real—and So Are the Risks

During a typical summer day in Houston, roof surface temperatures can exceed 160°F. That level of heat does more than wear out materials—it accelerates aging and exposes weaknesses in the roofing system.

Here are the most common problems we see:

Membrane blistering: Air or moisture pockets expand under high heat, causing visible bubbles or blisters in TPO, EPDM, or modified bitumen membranes.
Shrinkage and cracking: UV rays break down surface materials over time, making them brittle and prone to cracks.
Seam separation: The repeated expansion and contraction of materials causes seams and flashings to fail.
Coating breakdown: Reflective coatings lose effectiveness, compounding the heat issue and shortening the roof’s lifespan.
Hidden leaks: Tiny punctures or degraded seals may not leak during dry weather—but when summer storms hit, the damage becomes clear.

Why You Can’t Rely on Visual Inspections Alone

Many forms of heat-related damage occur beneath the surface. What looks fine from the rooftop might be slowly deteriorating from within—especially when moisture intrusion or trapped heat is involved.

Infrared thermography is one of the most valuable tools in detecting these problems early. By measuring thermal irregularities, an infrared scan can reveal:

Areas of trapped moisture
Insulation breakdown
Energy inefficiencies
Developing leak points

When used as part of a professional roof inspection, it helps property owners catch problems long before they become visible—or costly.

What Should a Summer Roof Evaluation Include?

For commercial flat or low-slope roofs, a proper inspection should assess:

Membrane condition (for blistering, tears, punctures, shrinkage)
Flashings, seams, and edges
Roof drains and scuppers
Ponding water or low spots
Sealants around penetrations (vents, HVAC units, skylights)
Roof insulation and vapor barrier performance (via thermal imaging if needed)

If your property has a cool roof system, reflective coating integrity should also be assessed, as degraded coatings lead to higher surface temps and faster wear.

Plan Now, Save Later

Roof failures are expensive—and disruptive. Proactive inspections help avoid emergency repairs, insurance claims, and tenant complaints. Even better, identifying early-stage deterioration gives you more time to plan for repair or replacement on your terms, not the weather’s.

Final Thought

Your commercial roof is your first line of defense against Houston’s harsh summer climate—but it can only take so much. UV exposure, surface temperatures, and rapid expansion all take a toll, often in ways you can’t see until it’s too late.

Houston heat and UV rays can blister your commercial roof before you even see the damage.

Don’t wait for a leak to tell you there’s a problem.Schedule a professional roof evaluation with Fox Commercial Inspections and make sure your building is ready for the heat.