A Short Guide to Commercial Roof Maintenance: 7 Essential Facts
Did you know that hailstorms cause over $3.5 billion in losses to commercial buildings and farms? This is why commercial roof maintenance is so crucial to preventing huge losses. Any weakness or opening on a roofing system can result in thousands of dollars in structural and roof damage.
Managing commercial property requires a smart and consistent roof maintenance plan. Regular inspections, routine upkeep, and quick repairs need proper budgeting. If your roofing maintenance consists of patching up problems as they appear, you’re bound to run into more costly emergencies later.
Get to the forefront of major roofing expenses and prevent early losses. As a commercial building owner or manager, give yourself peace of mind and use this guide of commercial roof maintenance tips to maintain a high return on your investment.
Common Roofing Problems
The majority of your battles will come from damage caused by severe weather.
Swinging Temps
Ice and long term exposure to extreme heat are two big factors with climate that can impace a roof’s lifeplan. As the climate becomes more unpredictable, you’ll need to look for signs of damage like cracks, blisters, and warping.
As roofing materials expand and contract from temperature swings, that’s when the problems start. This forms those weak points that allow events like hailstorms to cause so much damage. Even heavy downpours will put stress on a roof and lead to water damage.
Standing Water
If you see ponding water on your commercial roofing system, act fast. Standing water is a huge threat to the integrity of the roof and can be caused by a number of reasons, including a clog in gutters or damage to bitumen (or PVC) layers. Both the weight from standing water and the bacteria/fungal growth are damaging.
When water is in one spot for a long enough time, it could turn into a roof leak, making its way into a building. Not to mention, bacteria can travel and even attract pests that can climb downspouts and make their way into weakened areas on the roof.
Commercial Roof Maintenance
Commercial property owners and business owners everywhere must choose a proactive stance. They must invest in the longevity of their property or risk having to undergo early renovations to save damaged sections. Protected flat roofs, for example, can last over 20 years before needing to be replaced.
Without proper and preventative maintenance, you’re lucky to get 10 good years before expensive repairs are needed.
Inspections
Annual roof inspections by professionals are pretty standard for residential roofs. It’s a little more frequent for commercial buildings. The recommended schedule for commercial roofing systems is once before winter and once before summer. This covers two of the most extreme periods for commercial roofs.If you only get an update on your roof’s health for the winter, you’ll miss potential damage from extreme heat and/or high winds from hurricanes. The flashings of a commercial roof are especially vulnerable. The field of the roof is not going to show any signs of wear unless you get a professional to come and inspect it.
Budgeting a Roof Maintenance Program
While searching for commercial roof services, you need to ignore the urge to shop for deals. We know – that’s easier said than done for some businesses.
Financial Shortcuts = More Money Spent
The truth is, though, if you go with the lowest prices, you’ll usually get the most compromises.
Maybe the cheapest commercial roofing contractors will also come with the least experienced laborers. Not all hard-working roofers have the knowledge and experience needed to protect and fix underlying problems. The most respected roofing companies use special tools to see beyond the naked eye.
Infrared scanners used by an experienced and professional roofing contractor, for example, could save you thousands by identifying early weaknesses in the roof’s membrane. Compare this to your average “old school” roofer, who detects problems by sight, sound and doing a simple walk around. A missed opportunity to correct potential problems is like flushing money down the toilet.
Upkeep
Inspections twice a year should coincide with quarterly property upkeep tasks. Without someone cleaning out the gutters and drains, trimming tree limbs and sweeping the roof, mildew and rot will creep up. Penetrations from sharp branches are also more likely without routine care. Not only is a dirty roof an eyesore, but it also sends the message that your business cuts corners.
Cleanup often goes hand-in-hand with roof restoration options that install protective coatings. These will prevent ponding, rust and reflect more UV rays. Protective coatings will indirectly extend the longevity of your air conditioner, as well.
Repairs and Mistakes
There are two types of repairs: unexpected and routine. You’ll likely need some type of roof repair every year, even with a solid inspection and upkeep rotation. Small repairs will pop up, such as membrane defects, insulation settling or flashing repairs.
These aren’t expensive by any means, compared to what happens when you have these problems with major weather events (like an entire roof replacement!). It’s a mistake to assume these problems won’t affect you or you won’t have them at all.
Warranties
Also check on your commercial roof warranty to see which types of repairs are covered to maximize savings and your roof’s lifespan. Most roofing contractors will issue warranties to cover labor and materials, but sometimes those are limited. It’s always great to know your warranty and the roofing services that are outlined in the document extremely well.
Always leave room in your budget for regular repairs in between maintenance and inspections. These repairs can often fluctuate by season, so being proactive pays off big. Think of all the businesses that wait until the winter to do all their repairs at once.
Roof Maintenance Support From TEMA
Procrastinating on any of the tips listed can cause major roof issues and severely shorten the life of your roof. Commercial roof maintenance involves a comprehensive team of players to work, ensuring the service life of your roof.
Having a sound plan in place and the right roofing contractors is the best way to achieve that success. To do that, you need to find a team that you can trust.
TEMA Roofing has the experience and tools to cover all aspects of commercial roofing maintenance. Sit down with us and draw up a maintenance plan that works for your needs and budget. Schedule service with us today and save yourself the time and money on finding qualified roofers in Ohio.
