All too often, we see industrial and commercial roofs deteriorate prematurely as a result of an inadequate preventative maintenance strategy. A solid maintenance plan will help you prevent costly roof repairs, preserve your bottom line, and extend the life of your roof. Your building’s roof must be maintained on a regular basis, otherwise, simple problems might escalate into ones that endanger the health of your building and your business. In this article, we’ll look at why commercial roof preventative maintenance is important and get some tips to keep your commercial roofing system in good shape.

Why Invest in Roof Maintenance?

Preventative care of your commercial roof involves periodic repairs of roofing sections, applying reflective coatings, and regularly scheduling inspections that help you get the most out of your facility. Other reasons include:

  1. Revealing underlying issues

In the event it’s been a while since your commercial roof has been examined, you should not postpone it any longer. Professional commercial roof maintenance will assist in quickly discovering any faults or issues with your roof before becoming a major problem that is costly to fix.

For instance, detecting several missing or misplaced shingles prior to their turning into severe leaks that spill into the interior of the building may save property owners not only money and time but also a lot of stress. When commercial roof leaks go unnoticed, they may cause structural damage if not treated quickly.

  1. Extending the service life

Most modern roofing systems are built to endure at least 20 years. Without adequate maintenance, however, the predicted lifetime might be shortened by between 10 and 15 years. This implies that if you want to use your building for an extended period of time, the expense of repairing your roof early might soon add up. 

  1. Minimizing Liability


Roof leaks cause safety dangers in addition to property loss. While it’s normal to put out cylinders to catch spills, they tend to congest passageways, especially in a retail atmosphere. Overflows can produce slick surfaces, which raise the risk of damage. When you have a well-maintained system, you can be assured that none of these problems will occur.

  1. Safeguarding the interior of your building

It only takes a small leak for water to damage your walls, ceilings, and flooring. It can even damage your products and office equipment, which might disrupt your day-to-day operations. You can prevent these catastrophic issues from developing by keeping your roof leak-free with preventative maintenance. This will also help preserve energy efficiency, reducing the strain on your HVAC systems. 

14 Commercial Roof Preventative Maintenance Tips

Commercial Roof Preventative Maintenance
  1. Look for Visible Damage

Examine your roof’s drainage system for obvious damage and huge debris. Check the gutters and downspouts for obstructions or damage. These flaws can be addressed by your roofer to help avoid further issues.

  1. Remove Clogs From Your Gutters and Drains


Your gutters and drains must be free of impediments in order to efficiently drain water from your roof. Any debris inside them might serve as a breeding ground for bugs that can harm your roof or absorb water. Allowing water to accumulate within your gutters or drains can weaken them over time. Water may overflow from debris and run down the side of your building, gradually weakening and destroying the siding.

  1. Include Snow Removal


Cleaning your roof involves more than just removing leaves and other debris; you must also be aware of significant amounts of snow. While it appears light and fluffy, it can also be quite dense and substantial. Wet snow can add a lot of weight to a roof and could even cause it to collapse. Removal is critical for all roofs, but notably for commercial roofs, which accumulate more than a tilted residential roof. You can always consult with local snow removal services to see if they’ll include your roof.

  1. Maintain a Clear Roof


Debris on your roof can damage tiles, roof coatings, vents, or other sensitive components. Debris also provides a habitat for bugs, which can cause damage to your roof. During a downpour, debris can gather water and add extra weight to your roof, causing it to droop.

  1. Make Use of High-Quality Materials


When you engage a professional to make renovations and repairs, you can be confident that the work will be done correctly. You can also have more assurance that the proper supplies are being utilized for the work. High-quality materials can significantly improve the durability and resilience of your roof.

  1. Inspect the Roof Immediately After a Storm


Even if you don’t detect any new leaks during a storm, you should examine your roof for damage. It’s conceivable that your roof was damaged, but not seriously enough to generate a visible leak from within your structure. An examination will allow you to properly check its condition and determine whether any repairs are required.

  1. Engage an Expert Contractor


To finish your repairs, use a professional commercial roofer with extensive expertise. Hiring an expert roofing contractor in Utah to inspect and repair your business’s roof has various advantages. The contractor will keep track of your roof’s condition and make recommendations to improve its durability and strength, saving you time and potential hassles in the future.

Preventative maintenance of your business property, especially the roof, is critical to its long-term viability. This monthly maintenance should be viewed as a preventative action, ensuring that your roof is in excellent condition and preventing any potential problems.

  1. Avoid Extra Stress


Roofs, especially commercial ones, are built to be exceedingly sturdy and resilient. However, this does not imply that they are built to endure anything. Avoiding additional strain on your roof is a great way to keep it in good condition. That means keeping everything off the roof and decreasing the weight that it needs to support. Even the simple act of not allowing someone to walk on the roof unless absolutely required can help to relieve stress.

There will be times when someone must walk on the roof, such as for maintenance or repairs. A couple of instances here and there aren’t going to cause serious issues and shouldn’t be a reason for concern.

  1. Examine Roof-Mounted Equipment


Any rooftop equipment, such as air conditioners or heaters, should also be inspected on a regular basis. If your rooftop AC unit has a malfunction, is nearing the end of its service life, or has been damaged by debris, it might easily fail and leak into your building. Early detection of a problem with your rooftop equipment can save you time, money, and problems later on.

  1. Make Quick Repairs

While prevention can help reduce the number of issues with your commercial roof, it cannot eliminate all of them. Commercial roof repair for minor issues such as weak areas or leaks is critical to avoid having to replace the entire roof or having a defective roof cause enormous damage to the interior of your building. There is no substitute for having roof problems addressed swiftly and professionally.

  1. Keep Detailed Records


Building management and building ownership can both change over time. As a result, building maintenance information may slip through the cracks. We recommend that you preserve a historical record in a secure location that is easily accessible. This includes the original roof plan, warranty papers, repair records, and equipment installation.

  1. Plan for Seasonal Changes


Getting your roof ready for the changing seasons might cut down on the number of repairs you need to do in the future. Since many roof issues arise as a result of some type of negligence, prevention is often the best cure for significant difficulties.

  1. Regular Inspections


Schedule a roof inspection in autumn and spring, or after a strong wind storm if you fear that your roof has been damaged. If you can’t keep up with this pace, arrange an inspection every three years for asphalt roofs and every five years for tile roofs.

Roof inspections should be performed at least once every six months to spot any underlying issues that require correction. A roof repair specialist thoroughly inspects for hidden leaks, cracks, sagging, and other problems. Commercial roofing repairs done on time can greatly increase the life of the roofing system.

  1. Prune Nearby Trees


Storm-damaged tree limbs and branches can cause substantial destruction to the structure of your commercial roof. Trim neighboring trees and bushes to avoid collision damage and the buildup of leaves and debris. Clean your gutters in the spring and autumn to remove debris, and more regularly if your structure is next to a tree that sheds a lot. 

Endnote

A roof is one of the most expensive purchases you can make for your company. Maintaining your commercial roof is an excellent strategy to increase its longevity while decreasing the need for repairs. MTM Roofing experts provide a variety of roofing maintenance packages from which to choose. This involves both proactive and reactive roof maintenance.

When it comes to commercial roof repair, it’s always best to be proactive. Keep in mind that the best defense is a solid offense. Reach out to us to learn more about our preventative maintenance programs for industrial and commercial roofs. Contact MTM Roofing to get a professional, no-obligation, complimentary quote today.