Commercial roofing is different from residential roofing and, in order to achieve superior results, requires regular preventative maintenance. Proper attention to your commercial building’s roof can increase energy savings and prevent damage.
So, let’s take a look at how commercial roof maintenance can put a stop to more expensive repairs.
Why Is Regular Inspection Important?
Commercial roofs are made from a variety of materials, including two of the most common systems: TPO and PVC. Often, TPO and PVC roofs utilize a white reflective membrane and are widely known for their efficiency.
While this type of roofing can lower energy costs (because cooling systems don’t need to run as hard), they also require regular maintenance and cleaning to remove debris because the material is prone to puncture. Extreme weather can also cause damage, resulting in the need for patching and sealing.
However, with routine maintenance, large repair bills from the effects of standing water and leaks can be prevented while removing debris, maintaining gutters, and preventing problems from extreme seasonal weather.
At TEMA Roofing, our 40-Point Checklist is used to thoroughly inspect every possible weak point in the roofing system, including the seams, flashing, gutters, drainage pipes, insulation and much more.
How Preventative Maintenance Works
Punctures and cracks in a flat roof’s roofing membrane are common and can result in leaks and interior damage. If left untreated, these tears can lead to the total instability of your roof, and by then, it’s only a matter of time before you have to replace the roof entirely.
Other common commercial roofing problems include:
- Detached flashing
- Leaks and broken seams
- Standing water
- Water stains
- Cracking
Maintenance services can be tailored to any kind of commercial roof and help to prolong the system’s lifespan by addressing issues early on. Industry-standard is to have preventative maintenance inspections completed twice a year, but that number can be higher or lower depending on the weather, age of the roof and surrounding environment.
Routine maintenance helps to point out areas of concern that may benefit from the following services:
Commercial Roof Cleaning
From branches and leaves to roof algae and discoloration, an unclean roof can cause a variety of problems. The good news is that a simple commercial power washing can remove mold, algae, grime, dirt, leaves, and other trash (restoring efficiency and preventing damage).
Commercial roof cleaning is considered to be a service over and above regular roof maintenance (which should be done twice a year). Power washing should be done once per year and is best completed by a commercial roofing company that offers roof cleaning services. (Some restoration companies provide roof cleaning services, but they are not familiar with roofing materials and are not able to spot potential areas of concern.)
Roof Sheet Repair and Replacement
Cracks and punctures should be addressed as soon as they are spotted in order to prevent major leaks, and a trusted commercial roofing company will give you their honest opinion as to whether an area should be repaired or fully replaced.
When a roof nears the end of its lifespan, the cost of fixing multiple areas can outweigh the overall costs of a new roof. It’s important to understand where your roof is at in its life cycle and plan accordingly so that major issues don’t affect your daily operations.
Monitoring Seams, Flashing and Areas of Concern
Older single-ply surfaces can puncture when not maintained. Cracks can appear as the sun dries out the roof membrane and blistering can indicate that air or water is trapped underneath.
Seam and flashing problems are also common. Loss of adhesion on the seams can occur on fully adhered systems and if fasteners are too far apart on mechanically fastened roof systems, issues arise.
With flashing, as the roof ages the edges tighten and can detach from the surrounding area. Commercial roof maintenance can monitor areas of concern and suggest repair as needed.
Commercial Gutter and Drain Cleaning
Debris can get stuck in gutters and drainage pipes, which can lead to poor run-off and standing water if not taken care of quickly. Since commercial roofs tend to have more complex gutter and drainage systems, maintenance teams can clean out difficult debris quickly and thoroughly, ensuring that the backup doesn’t cause more damage.
Benefits of Commercial Roof Maintenance
If you own a building or manage a property, then you’re probably aware of the fact that a full roof replacement isn’t cheap. While some owners might try to maintain the building’s roof themselves, there are a lot of dangers in doing so.
Instead, partnering with a trusted commercial roofing company AND being proactive about roof maintenance is the best approach. Roofing systems are major investments, afterall, and commercial roof maintenance stops potential hazards before they start.
Minimize Commercial Roof Replacement and Repair Costs
Preventative maintenance certainly isn’t free, but it is definitely less costly than full roof replacement, that’s for sure!. Individuals who try to maintain a commercial roof WITHOUT the assistance of a professional pay up to 11 cents more per square foot in annual roof maintenance than those who maintain their roofs with professional services two to three times yearly.
Protect Your Building’s Interior from Water Damage
What would happen if you had to shut down part of your building due to mold or water damage? Leaky roofing systems are usually the underlying issue for such problems and can be addressed months or even years before a disaster occurs (when managed proactively).
Commercial roof maintenance can spot these areas and prevent them from turning into a big expense that interferes with your business operations.
Increase the Lifespan of Your Roof
Did you know a poorly maintained roof might only last 13 years? With routine maintenance, however, roofing systems can see an increase in life expectancy of 10 years or more.
Improve Energy Efficiency and Savings
A clean, well-maintained roof can increase the energy efficiency of your building, plain and simple. According to Duro-Last, an effective (aka well-maintained) white roof can make building insulation 25 to 50 percent more effective and improve HVAC efficiency by keeping inlet air temperatures 5 to 15 degrees cooler than other roofing systems.
Extend the Life of Your Commercial Roof
According to studies conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the American Institute of Architects, a preventative maintenance program may reduce commercial roof leaks by up to 70 percent and fully double a roof’s life expectancy. TEMA Roofing’s commercial roof maintenance program identifies problem areas and helps clients gauge a roof’s life expectancy and its future need for repair and/or replacement.
Interested in learning more about or services? Reach out today!
