Managing roofing assets for multiple facilities can delay full roof replacement.

Get the most out of your metal roof! Commercial metal roofs are known to last over half a century, but don’t take this for granted! A poorly maintained metal roof will deteriorate much faster than those that receive regular care and maintenance. 

Metal roofing systems are proven to last longer than your average shingle or flat roof, but still need the same attention. Whether you are considering the switch to a metal roof for your commercial building or have one already, see why regular maintenance is crucial.

Keep Your Commercial Metal Roofing Clean

One of the easiest and most basic ways to prolong your commercial roof’s lifespan is to regularly clean and clear debris. Debris can easily land on top of buildings, especially after extreme weather events. If not removed, it can scratch your roof and ruin the sealant. While this is the case for all roofs, it is especially important for commercial flat roofs, since debris is less likely to fall off naturally. 

Debris that has collected on a flat or metal roof can simply be brushed or pushed off. (Avoid using water when cleaning to minimize the chance of leaks and rust.) Similarly, regular clearing of gutters helps prevent excessive moisture from building up and corroding your roof. 

Another way to prevent potential damage is to avoid having large trees or shrubbery immediately next to your buildings and roofs. While it might not seem like a problem because of the durability of metal roofs, over time constant rubbing on the roof can cause serious damage and require roof repair. Simply removing tall trees from close proximity to your building(s) will drastically reduce the likelihood of roof replacement in the years and decades to come.

Conduct Regular Roof Maintenance 

With commercial roofing, it is easy for small holes or issues to become major problems if left untreated. As with any type of roofing material, metal roof repair is much easier when fixing slight problems than when they expand or multiply. 

Roof leaks are more than just an inconvenience that create puddles inside your commercial building. Leaks can cause structural damage and affect the integrity of your building as a whole. When water pools around a hole, the roof coating will eventually rust. This rust can then deteriorate and degrade the roof’s structure, and even high-quality metals are affected by rust and water damage.

Prevent a full replacement and ensure that your roof is long-lasting by addressing these trouble areas as soon as they present themselves. Once a small hole is discovered, professional roofers can quickly seal or patch it and avoid rusting or expanding holes (which is why regular roof inspections are critical in maintaining your metal roof). 

Beware of Severe Weather Conditions

As with all other roofing materials, severe weather conditions greatly impact the structure and longevity of your commercial roofing system

Metal roof panels expand and contract when subjected to extreme temperatures, so after long bouts of high and low temperatures, be sure to inspect your roof (especially at the screw locations, since they’re the most vulnerable spot for corrosion).

Other extreme weather events, like storms, bring debris that causes damage to your roof. Heavy precipitation, like extended rain periods and snow build up, can create pools of water on your roof that, if left alone, can lead to rust or leaks. Inspect your roof as soon as it’s safe to do so after a storm to address any potential damage. 

Avoid Issues – Incorporate Preventative Maintenance

Often, there are simple steps that can be taken to prevent damage from occurring. (For example, having a sealant on your metal roof has a lot of benefits but will most likely not last as long as the roof itself.) By utilizing a commercial roofing company that can conduct semi-annual preventative maintenance visits, you can stay ahead of issues that negatively impact the integrity of your roofing system

In addition to monitoring areas of concern and checking the overall condition of the roof, a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan and roof inspection will help you to maintain any manufacturer’s warranty that may be in place for your building’s roof!

Hire a Professional Commercial Roofing Expert

You can easily prolong the lifespan of your metal roof with regular checkups from a trusted roofing company. In fact, hiring a professional roofing contractor is one of the most effective ways to care for your metal roof. Professional roofers know exactly what to look for when inspecting your roof and can identify the correct products and procedures needed when and if a problem does arise.

If using more than one type of metal roofing material, the metals need to be compatible (because certain types will corrode if next to each other). Professional roofers know which combinations to avoid to prevent your roof from deteriorating!

Inexperienced inspectors, by comparison, may inadvertently cause more harm than good if they are moving on your roof incorrectly or using the wrong materials. Not to mention, it is much safer with trained professionals working on your roof than someone with little to no experience, as a fall could cause serious injury. 

Trust the Roofing Experts

The best way building owners can make sure their commercial metal roof will last is to hire roofing professionals that provide trusted, regular maintenance. If a metal roof is cared for improperly, the integrity of the roofing system suffers.

Need a new roof installed or want your current roof inspected? TEMA Roofing Services is ready to help with all your roof installation, repair, and inspection needs. Contact us today and get started with commercial roofers you can trust!