Commercial Roofs in Galveston: Wind, Water and Salt

Galveston sits in Galveston County, and the whole county is in the catastrophe area of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Building owners insured through TWIA should ask their agent what windstorm inspections and certificates roof work requires before a project starts.

Hail is a minor factor on the island. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 2 hail reports within 10 miles of Galveston from 2015 through 2024, and the largest was 1.75 inches on April 25, 2015. Wind, rain and salt are what shorten roof life here. Many buildings also have years of patches, so the first step on an older roof is to learn what layers are there and whether the insulation is dry.

Knowing that answer early keeps the budget honest.

The weeks before storm season are the best time to prepare a commercial roof. Clear drains and scuppers, secure loose edge metal and check that rooftop units are fastened to their curbs. Loose items on the roof, like old panels or debris from past repairs, should be removed so wind cannot throw them.

After a storm, walk the roof as soon as it is safe and photograph what you find. Early documentation helps you plan repairs and keeps a clear record for your insurer. See what to do after discovering a roof leak for the first steps inside the building.

Common low-slope systems include TPO and EPDM membranes, metal roofs, and modified bitumen on older buildings. Coatings are another general option in the market for some aging roofs. The right system depends on the building, its drainage and its exposure.

GemSco handles residential and commercial roofing, including low-slope, flat and metal roofs. We are family owned, licensed and insured, with 20+ years of experience and free estimates. See our commercial roofing service or the Galveston page.