Is Your Roof Structure Ready for Summer Heat—and the Next Quake?
Did you know summer heat can quietly weaken the roof structure of your commercial or industrial building? Prolonged high temperatures, combined with hidden moisture damage, can stress roof components in ways that often go unnoticed—until an earthquake causes something to fail.
Summer is the ideal time to inspect, identify, and address these issues before they lead to costly repairs or safety concerns.
How Summer Heat Creates Long-Term Risk
The following structural issues are more likely to develop or worsen during hot summer months. Each one increases your building’s vulnerability during an earthquake.
Moisture Damage Worsens in Hot Weather
Summer heat often leads to roof condensation—a key cause of structural decay in commercial and industrial buildings.
In short, trapped moisture in the roof cavity corrodes metal hangers, rots framing, and weakens critical roof-to-wall connections. If left untreated, this type of damage can cause structural failure during an earthquake.
Heat-Related Weakness + Earthquake Forces = Structural Risk
Heat doesn’t cause earthquakes—but it does create weaknesses that matter when a quake hits. Common vulnerabilities include:
- Sub-purlins or roof hangers that fail under lateral load
- Loose or corroded fasteners that pull apart during shaking
- Weakened roof systems that compromise load paths or fall zones
Even buildings that appear sound can be hiding compromised connections or deteriorated hardware due to long-term exposure to moisture and heat. These failures can result in building closure, liability, or costly rebuilds.
Signs Your Roof Structure May Be at Risk
A roof inspection this time of year can help you catch red flags early. Here are some signs to watch for:
If you notice any of these, don’t wait until winter—or until quake damage forces you to act.
Read: Is Your Roof at Risk? How to Spot and Fix Condensation Damage
Why it Pays to Act Now
Scheduling inspections and repairs now gives you time to plan and budget before winter conditions or year-end constraints. Summer also allows for:
- Dry weather access to roof areas
- Easier coordination with tenants or facility schedules
- Faster turnaround on reinforcement or retrofit work
Acting now helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures later.
Protect Your Building Before Stress Turns into Failure
Take a closer look at your roof structure this summer—especially if your building is aging or has experienced past moisture issues.
Condensation-related damage often starts small but can lead to major structural problems if left unaddressed. Spotting early signs of corrosion or damage can help you avoid safety risks, costly repairs, and unexpected downtime.
That’s where we come in. At Saunders Seismic, we help building owners like you understand what’s happening inside your structure. We don’t oversell or over-engineer. We show you what’s real—and we fix what matters.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and learn more about our expert seismic solutions. Let’s make sure your building is ready to withstand what comes next.