While you might be able to write off some of the expense of a new roof, it can still cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you have a recently replaced commercial roof or are trying to stave off full replacement, the following roof tips will help to keep it maintained all throughout the year.
Let’s take a look at a few ways to ensure that you maintain your roof properly.
Roof Tip #1: Have It Inspected
While you can check things out yourself from time to time (by walking the perimeter looking for issues), you may not know what exactly to look for. As such, a trusted and experienced commercial roofing professional should come out to take a look at your roof at least once a year (best practice is TWICE a year).
Regular maintenance allows you to keep on top of issues so that you don’t have to worry about serious issues like leaks or sagging. A professional commercial roofing company will be able to identify weak spots that will eventually cause failure.
A preventative maintenance program from a commercial roofing company can ensure you’re prepared when problems arise. While most roofs last for decades, they’ll eventually need to be repaired, so arming yourself with regular, up-to-date assessments will prepare you for changes as they occur.
Roof Tip #2: Stay Off the Roof
Even if you think that you know what you’re doing, you should stay off of your business’s roof!
Just a few steps in the wrong spot can ruin your roof’s life expectancy, and if you have a metal roof, a dent can lead to water collecting in one spot, which can eventually lead to a full-blown leak.
Consider installing walk pads on your roof if you need to access it often (like when your air conditioning unit is located on the roof). Walk pads are stabilized independently from the actual construction of the roof, allowing you or your inspectors to walk more freely and not worry about damaging the surface.
HOWEVER, unless you have a very good reason (like an immediate threat to health or safety), there’s no reason to be on the roof. Even if you have walk pads installed, you should still avoid the roof and leave problems or concerns to roofing pros.
Roof Tip #3: Tackle Your Leaks
When you find that you’ve got a leaky roof, it’s easy to want to bury your head in the sand. Afterall, roofing issues can expensive to deal with.
However, a seeping roof is actually more dangerous than you might think. Water getting into your building from your roof can get into the air duct system or the upper floor of your building causing moisture or mold growth. (And those repair costs can end up being gargantuan.)
Call a repair crew as soon as you see a leak to avoid secondary issues like electrical problems or equipment damage inside your building. In worst-case scenarios, you could end up with a collapsed roof!
Once you see water, act.
Roof Tip #4: Don’t DIY It
Even if you’re a pretty good plumber and handy with electrical problems, don’t try to tackle your roof issues on your own. You need to call a professional repair crew. If you’re looking for people truly capable of repairing and maintaining your roof, be sure to ask about insurance and certifications.
The best companies are going to offer estimates and recommendations. They’ll walk you through what’s going on with your roof and help you understand what you need to do. They’ll also know how to deal with thermal requirements, vapor flow and the ventilation that your building needs.
Professionals can also offer a detailed safety plan for you to use in the future. If there’s any serious work that needs done, you can map out the plan in advance to help your employees to stay safe and aware of what’s going on.
Roof Tip #5: Keep it Clear
In a temperamental climate like Ohio, there are hot summers, autumns with endless falling leaves, cold, icy winters, and springs when everything thaws and floods. So, throughout all four seasons, you need to make a point to keep your roof clear and clean.
When a commercial roof is free of debris, it’s less likely to be dented or punctured. A clean roof will also keep leaves and debris from clogging your drains, leading to standing water.
Debris is known to lead to pest control issues and roof damage. Hire someone who has the tools to clear your roof of branches in the spring, leaves in the fall and snow in the winter months.
Follow Roof Tips to Save Money
Even though you might have to spend a little bit of money to have your roof inspected and cleared of debris, it’s much less costly than the full price of a new roof! (Not to mention the cost of repairs if your roof is damaged and leaks into the interior!)
If your roof is leaking right now, follow our guide and reach out to us!
