Simple Maintenance Steps to Prolong the Life of Your Commercial Roof
6/13/2018
When it comes to commercial roofing, the process of properly roofing your building does not end after installation is complete. It’s important to understand that a high quality commercial roof must be properly maintained after it has been installed. Like an expensive car, a quality commercial roof must be inspected and appropriately taken care of periodically in order to maximize its lifespan. In fact, scheduled inspections are required by most manufacturers – CertainTeed included – in order to uphold the warranty of a roofing system.
It is the responsibility of the building owner to establish a schedule for regular roof inspections and maintenance. Maintaining these periodic check-ups can have both long and short-term benefits. Diligent, seasonal inspections can prevent small issues from snowballing into catastrophic damages. A clogged drain, for example, is something easily fixable. If left unchecked, however, the weight of the water it collects may eventually become heavy enough to collapse the roof. Regularly maintained commercial roofs generally last longer as well, meaning your investment lasts longer and your ROI increases.
At minimum, a roof should be inspected in the spring and fall of each year. An additional inspection should be scheduled after any severe weather. Inspections should be performed by the contractor who installed the roof membrane in conjunction with the building owner’s maintenance personnel. During an inspection, a visual assessment of the roofing system’s critical points is taken. Depending on the size and condition of the roof, these assessments can take one to two hours.
Although all repairs and maintenance should be done by a manufacturer authorized roofing contractor, the owner can assist by making sure minor clean-up and maintenance procedures are performed. The roof and drains can be checked for debris and cleared when they are obstructed. The owner can also prolong the life of the roof by taking measures to avoid unnecessary damage to the roofing system. Access to the roof should be limited, and those who are granted access to the roof should know the proper procedures to avoid causing damage. Finally, a roof is particularly vulnerable to damage when the weather is very hot or very cold, so foot traffic during these times should not be permitted.
The professional roofing company who installed your roof should be the one to perform maintenance on it. However, if this company is not available, it is highly recommended that you seek out a company who is familiar with the installation instructions of the roofing manufacturer, has experience in performing roof inspections and service, and possesses professional credentials directly from the manufacturer. Repairs should not be made by the building owner. If an emergency condition requires immediate action to avoid damaging the building or its contents, a qualified roofer should be called to perform any essential temporary repairs until more permanent repairs can be performed. Be sure to read and understand your roof system warranty, as unapproved repairs may render it void.
If you put these guidelines into practice you will rarely ever run into any unwelcome surprises, and your roof should be well on its way to performing at its best. Be sure to contact the contractor who installed your roofing system and/or the manufacturer if you have any questions about inspections or maintenance.
Click here to download a printable roofing maintenance Inspection Report