Preventive Roof Maintenance For Commercial Roof Systems
Roofing professionals generally agree that a good roof system requires proper design, quality materials and quality application to perform successfully. Yet once the roof system is installed, nothing is more critical to its long-term performance than establishing a program of regular inspections and proper maintenance.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) believes that the most effective way to achieve long-term roof system performance is for the building owner to have a formal, long-term relationship with a professional roofing contractor. A professional roofing contractor:
- Understands local building practices.
- Understands different roof systems and can make recommendations concerning which type of system is best for a particular building.
- Has a trained and experienced workforce.
- Can respond quickly should a problem arise.
- Is well established in the community, so the owner understands with whom he is dealing.
- Works in, and gives back to, his local community.
- Understands the local business environment and knows how to complete the work.
Regular Roof Maintenance Is Key To Long Term Roof Performance
Your commercial property is your business. If your roof is not up to par, then your entire business could lose. A leak in a commercial property roof can stop work for days on end and thus can cost your hundreds, if not thousands in production costs.
The best way for building owners and property managers to ensure satisfactory post-installation roof system performance is to have a formal, long-term maintenance agreement with a professional roofing contractor. Maintenance programs typically offer the following advantages:
- A maintenance program is proactive (rather than reactive). It can help to identify problems at their early stages, while they can be corrected and before they become catastrophes.
- Regular maintenance can reveal and address sources and causes of leaks before they occur. Too many owners have their roof systems examined only after a leak occurs.
- A maintenance program allows for a planned, organized approach to management of a roof asset and allows for responsible, timely preparation of long-term capital expenditures.
- Response time to address leakage problems is greatly improved. Warranty repairs, on the other hand, can take time to be processed, while the problem remains unresolved.
Building owners should take care in selecting a roofing contractor to perform the maintenance work.
Establishing a Roof Maintenance Program
Establishing a roof maintenance program can increase the life of your roof. Contrary to popular opinion, the maintenance-free roof system does not exist. All types of roofs require a certain level of attention. In fact, from the moment of installation, the roofing system undergoes continuous deterioration. Extreme temperature fluctuations as well as snow, ice, hail and wind prevail upon the roofing surface. In short, the elements are the biggest deterrents to the roof system over its service life. Traffic on the roof and the installation of mechanical and other equipment can also cause physical damage that contributes significantly to roofing failures.
Roofs are exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In summer, the roof surface temperature can exceed 200 degrees F. In winter, the roof surface can be exposed to snow and ice for weeks at a time. And in spring and fall, the roof faces winds stronger than any that other exterior building components are exposed to.
Commercial Roofing Requires a Professional
Since commercial roofing is typically flat, or has a very low grade, these surfaces can take quite a bit of sun over the summer months. This hot sun will break down the roofing material a little bit every year, until eventually it will lose its integrity. This is natural and expected, however, if a roof system was installed correctly, with all the details employed, the amount of time that is added to the lifetime of a roof can be improved greatly.
It is always important to get the opinion of the experts in the business, especially when it comes to something as critical as a commercial roof system. The implementation of a program of routine roof inspections, maintenance and repairs can protect the owners roofing investment to achieve full, uninterrupted service and extend the roof’s useful service life.
A roof maintenance program will also help your organization in allocating the proper capital over an extended period of time, and budgets for repair/replacement will be readily available when needed.
Is your commercial or industrial flat roof in need of maintenance, repair or replacement? Do have questions about your building’s condition? Consult a reputable Minneapolis Minnesota roofing contractor that has experience in commercial roof systems.
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