Keeping your commercial roof maintained can make all the difference in helping to ensure that you aren’t left with a roof that’s not doing its job and keeping you and your business dry.
Commercial roofs tend to have shorter lifespans than residential roofs. One of the main things that help you get a longer lifespan out of your roof is keeping it well maintained.
WHAT IS ROOF MAINTENANCE?
Put simple roof maintenance is keeping your roof clean and in good repair. This means regularly cleaning it of debris and making sure that any damaged areas are repaired promptly. Waiting too long to clean or fix leaks will only lead to more problems down the road.
Cleaning your commercial roof will help prevent the build-up of moss, lichen, and algae which can all lead to damage and premature aging of your roof.
TIPS FOR REGULAR ROOF MAINTENANCE AND INCREASED LIFESPAN
Some roof maintenance can easily be performed by a qualified employee or building maintenance crew. But, be sure that your maintenance team knows their limits and doesn’t bite off more than they can chew.
Having an unqualified team working on the roof could lead to your insurance company denying coverage or a void of specific warranties. If you’re worried about anything like this, don’t be afraid to ask your insurance and roofing company for recommendations.
1) KEEP IT CLEAN
Keeping your roof clean is crucial to maintaining it. Make sure that you are regularly removing any debris, leaves, or branches from the surface of the roof. Storms can cause all types of debris to end up on your roof.
Doing regular checks for debris when completing other tasks around the building is always a good idea.
2) REGULARLY CHECK FOR DAMAGE
You should be checking your roof for signs of damage regularly. Depending on the material your roof is made of, checking for damage can vary. But the process can include looking for cracked tiles, missing shingles, leaks, or pooling water.
If you find any damage, make sure to have it repaired as soon as possible.
3) FIX LEAKS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
Leaks are one of the biggest causes of roof damage. If you find a leak, make sure to have it fixed as soon as possible. Trying to fix it yourself could lead to more damage and potential water damage to your building.
But, it’s not uncommon to DIY a simple fix, so don’t feel like you can’t work on your building.
4) GET REGULAR ROOF INSPECTIONS
Roof inspections aren’t a must, but they will offer a lot of value, especially if you’re managing or maintaining a large building where you might not notice leaks right away.
A good time to inspect is in the spring or fall, before and after the heavy rain or snow seasons. However, you may need to have more frequent inspections depending on your location.
Having a commercial roof maintenance plan in place is the best way to help ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible.
5) AVOID WALKING ON YOUR ROOF
One of commercial roofing’s most common problems is damage from people walking on them. Rubber roofs and slate need to be especially avoided. Walking on your roof can cause damage to the material, which will lead to leaks and other problems.
If you need to get on your roof for any reason, use a ladder or call a professional. Professionals who regularly work on roofs will know how to properly walk the roof without causing excessive damage.
6) REGULARLY CHECK GUTTERS AND DRAINS TO KEEP THEM FROM CLOGGING
Gutters and drains are a critical part of your roof system. Without them, water can run into your foundation into your roofing system and lead to huge problems for your building. Clogged gutters and drains can lead to pools of water on your roof, damaging the roofing material and leading to leaks.
Cleaning your gutters and drains regularly is crucial to maintaining your roof. You can do this yourself or hire a professional depending on your comfort level and the height of your building.
7) PRUNE OVERHANGING TREE BRANCHES
One of the best things you can do to maintain your commercial roof is to keep overhanging tree branches trimmed. If they are allowed to grow too large, they will eventually rub up against the roof and cause damage.
Regularly trimming back overhanging branches will help to prevent this from happening. Big storms can also bring down trees and cause them to fall on your roof. Keeping trees away from your roof should always be critical.
8) MAKE SURE YOUR ROOF EQUIPMENT IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY
Another important part of commercial roof maintenance is ensuring that all of your roof equipment is functioning properly. This includes things like:
- Vents
- Skylights
- Chimney
- Flashing
- HVAC Units
If any of these are not in good working order, it could lead to problems with your roof. Be sure to have them inspected and repaired as needed to keep them functioning properly.
9) REMOVE HEAVY SNOW WHEN NECESSARY
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, it’s important to remove it from your commercial roof when necessary.
Leaving too much snow on the roof can cause problems, such as collapsing. If you cannot remove the snow yourself, be sure to hire a professional who can do it for you.
10) KEEP MAINTENANCE LOGS
The best way to keep track of your commercial roof maintenance is to keep logs. This will help you see what was done when it was done and who did it. When transition in your maintenance department takes place, you won’t want to lose that knowledge with the person.
This information can be invaluable if you ever need to file a warranty claim or have any questions about your roof’s maintenance.
11) CHECK YOUR VENTS
Your commercial roof needs to have proper ventilation to ensure it lasts a long time. If your vents are not functioning properly, it can lead to problems with the roof, such as leaks and premature deterioration.
Be sure to regularly check your vents to ensure they are in good working order. You may need to hire a professional to do this. You’ll also want to check the seals around the vents to make sure they are properly sealed.
12) CHECK ATTIC SPACE REGULARLY
If your commercial roof has an attic space, be sure to check it regularly. This is because the attic is one of the most important areas of the roof and can be a breeding ground for problems.
Inspecting the attic space regularly will help you catch any potential problems before they become serious. You’ll also be able to check up on your insulation and know whether or not your roof is leaking before anything gets too bad.
13) GET A ROOF REPLACEMENT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
Sometimes, commercial roof maintenance just isn’t enough, and you need to get a roof replacement. Thankfully with the help of insurance, any serious roof damage should be covered and help you replace your roof for less cost.
If your roof is more than 15 years old or showing significant signs of wear and tear, call your local roofing company to talk about getting a replacement. While it’s never truly too late for a roof replacement, serious damage will occur if you neglect your roof for too long.
HIRE A ROOFER YOU CAN TRUST
The most important part of a good roofing maintenance plan is hiring a roofer that you can trust to repair or replace your roof with excellence. In a situation where you need serious work done, or you’re looking for regular roof help, you need to be confident in that roofer.
If you’re local to the Virginia area, we’d love to have you reach out to our Mars Roofing team. We’ve got decades of professional commercial roofing experience and a team of experts that’s ready to come to help you take care of your roof.
Contact us today for a free roof inspection.