If you own or manage a commercial property, roofing maintenance expenses might have always been of your major worries. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent potential damages to the roofing system, keep it watertight, and ensure optimal lifespan. Early identification and repair of roof problems prevent roof failures and extend the lifespan of your roofing system, eliminating the need for costly roof replacements. To help yield maximum value from a commercial roofing system, in this post we share some simple tips, starting with a quick glance at the factors that shorten the lifespan of a roof system.

Roof Damage: Common Causes

• Lack of periodic maintenance, which is also the biggest reason for premature failures
• Long term exposure to harsh elements, such as freeze-thaw and air pollutants
• Contraction and expansion during temperature changes
• Biological growth in areas of standing water
• Change in the interior relative humidity, resulting in condensation

Where to Begin?

As a property owner, you have two choices: proactive and reactive maintenance. Owners and facility managers, who have a routine (proactive) inspection and maintenance plan are able to resolve various roofing problems before the issue gets graver. A proactively maintained roof may last for more than two decades, whereas a standard roof lasts for 10-13 years under reactive maintenance. Therefore, it would be safe to say that proactive maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure optimum lifespan of your roofing system.

Proactive Maintenance

Commercial roofing systems must be inspected at least twice a year; once in spring and once in fall. In addition, it is essential to perform a thorough inspection of the roof after extreme climatic events, such as hailstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. When it comes to inspections, there are certain areas that need special attention due to their vulnerability to damage. These include:

Flashing

Flashings are critical as they are more prone to leaks than any other part of the roof system. A through inspection of flashings, therefore, is essential.

Field

The field of a roof is another vulnerable area that is susceptible to surface wear, lap integrity, and overall degradation.

Investment vs. Expense

Though it may seem counterintuitive; maintenance cost shouldn’t be your primary concern when choosing a commercial roof maintenance company. Opting for the lowest one-time deal often results in long-term expenses. Professional roofing companies use various cutting-edge technologies, such as infrared scanning and membrane testing, to identify problems at a nascent stage. This helps property managers stay ahead of roof problems, and avoid the need of recurrent repairs, and any liability that may arise if the damage is left unaddressed.

The Way Ahead

Most roof problems manifest due to poor maintenance or installation. It is, therefore, important to hire an experienced roof contractor with proven competence in the domain. A professional roofing contractors can outline the condition of your roof and decide whether it is within the scope of repair or needs a replacement. If you wish to play it safe, look for an ISO-certified service provider, as the accreditation ensures that the provider has clearly defined and proven processes to deliver consistent services.

Depending on the the type of building, foot traffic, climatic conditions, and other factors, a roof contractor can help you make the right decision regarding the maintenance of your roofing system. If you wish to ensure optimal lifespan of your roofing system, waste no time in investing in a comprehensive roof maintenance program. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about how to ensure optimum lifespan of your commercial roofing system, feel free to get in touch with one of our consultants.