Components of a Roof Asset Management Program
A comprehensive roof asset management program can greatly extend the life cycle of your commercial roof system. Not only will it help you to understand the present roof condition, but it will also allow you to anticipate repairs and maintenance. (Knowledge of such important things helps you plan for those expenditures and prevent your roof from becoming a safety hazard to employees and customers.) Let’s look at the most important parts of a good roof asset management program.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
As a property manager or building owner, it’s important to understand that you should have your commercial roof(s) inspected on a regular basis…by a professional. A quality inspection should always start on the inside of the building – checking for stains on interior walls and ceiling that could indicate water coming from the roof.
After the interior is considered, the roof itself is inspected, starting with the perimeter and the flashings in all the locations where the roof meets the walls. An experienced commercial roofing company will then check drains and downspouts to make sure that they are clear of leaves and other debris. Standing water, known as “ponding,” will be noted (as will areas of previous ponding), because this issue often indicates a roof section where the material is starting to sag. Bulges and blisters will also be assessed because they could be the result of a tear or opening where water is getting in under the top layer of roofing material and causing the underlying material to break down.
Inspections should be semi-annual: in the spring, after severe winter weather has passed, and in the fall, before severe weather arrives again. These times can be used to perform roof maintenance and take any corrective actions if they are needed, as well.
With a comprehensive roof asset management program, all inspection information (along with photographs and a short report on the roof’s current condition) is easily accessible for current and future reference.
Standard Roof Maintenance: What Happens?
A comprehensive roof maintenance program covers a wide variety of maintenance work in order to ensure that all aspects of the roof system are functioning properly. Much of the work is preventive maintenance to keep small issues from becoming large issues that lead to intensive roof repair, or worse, roof replacement.
The roof should always be kept clean and free of debris. Not only can excess junk and debris damage your roof, but it can also make it difficult for roofing personnel to move around and complete inspections or work. If your roof is sloped, monitor the overhangs for development of ice dams in the winter. Limit access to the roof only to personnel who should be up there.
The Importance of Roof Data
The amount of data in your roof asset management plan will vary depending on the size and type of your building. A business occupying a small building won’t have to collect and sort through as much information as a large facility with multiple roof areas to monitor.
Information in a roof asset management plan from TEMA Roofing includes several important factors:
General Inventory of the Roof
General inventory incorporates the age and general condition of the roof, including photographs. There is also information on the size of the roof, its composition, drainage areas, the amount and type of equipment there (such as lightning protection and HVAC apparatuses), warranties, and the history of repairs and inspection.
Roof Strategy
Once you have up-to-date information on the entire roof system, you can better understand your business’s roofing needs. You and your property or facility manager can then formulate a plan of action for both the near future and years down the road, especially if there is the possibility of multiple roof projects. A comprehensive roof asset management program, like the one offered by TEMA, allows businesses to forecast for future repairs and eventual replacement of the system once the life of the roof has been exhausted.
Remember to keep your roof management plan flexible in the event of sudden repairs or new safety regulations that must be established.
Talk to the Commercial Roofing Experts
The best course of action to keep your commercial roofing assets in top shape is to seek out professional roofing services. TEMA Roofing’s Roof Asset Management Program incorporates regular preventative inspections to keep your roof functioning (while maintaining warranty requirements) and helps you understand the total condition of your roof system.
If maintenance is required, we help to extend the service life of your roof! If repairs or a new roof are necessary, we walk you through the scope of work and explain all roof replacement options. Time is a roof’s enemy, so don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact TEMA Roofing today!
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