Think of a roof as a vehicle for a moment. To keep a vehicle working flawlessly, you bring it to an auto shop, where a mechanic checks a number of components. Sometimes, you may have to get some things fixed, but hopefully, your continuously scheduled sessions prevent major issues from happening. Or, if something wrong is found, it is likely so small that the mechanic can fix it for a fraction of the cost.
Preventative maintenance works like that for roofing, too. And you shouldn’t overlook the fact that roofs are exposed to just as much of the elements as vehicles.
So far we have reviewed the various kinds of commercial types, installation methods, and even what it means to be a professional roofer. Now, we are going to look at some ways you can keep the commercial roof on your building from falling into disrepair.
What Is Preventative Maintenance?
Moving away from the car example, here is another way to think about preventative maintenance: health checkups. You go to the physician annually, right? If not, you should, because you are being proactive about stopping problems before they begin. Preventative maintenance goes through something on the health checklist but for your roof, where a number of tasks are completed to gauge how well the roof is holding up or to stop breakdown.
For instance, a preventative maintenance routine may just include an inspection from a professional roofer, a quick gutter cleaning, and some quick patching around some flashing.
In commercial roofing, we do not like the idea that if something isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it. Look, it might be tempting to forget about your roof, but if you do, you might miss the slow trickle of moisture seeping into the attic or the insulation. By the time you do detect the issue, you are dealing with rotted wood, mold, and other damages.
Preventative maintenance is going to save your wallet from unexpected chaos. By making a maintenance routine, you can pick up trouble spots and call in a roofer before it worsens. So, you pay for much less severe repairs, saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What About Seasonal Commercial Roofing Maintenance?
If you live in a state that experiences four distinct seasons, then maintenance is all the more important. RGB Construction offers seasonal maintenance programs that can prepare your roof for the extreme hot and cold of summer and winter. Our main aim is to keep the roofing materials from expanding and contracting too much, or from becoming so loaded with debris that water pools.
So, for instance, in the springtime, our technicians will inspect the commercial roof for signs of damage from the freeze-thaw sequence. We look at low spots for puddles of moisture or air pockets under the roofing membrane.
In the fall, preventative maintenance is all about winterization. A roof will need to be cleaned of water, debris, and the gutters will have to be cleaned. Any standing water on the roof poses a risk during freezing and thawing, so fall preventative maintenance seeks to mitigate that risk.
Why You Need to Schedule Regular Inspections Annually
Routine and prevention go hand-in-hand. Commercial roofing needs to be inspected and maintained throughout the year, and you can afford to go about that willy-nilly. To get the best life out of your commercial roof, enhance performance with scheduled routine maintenance.
Either you or a professional should be thoroughly scanning the roof at least every 3-4 months. The inspection has to be comprehensive. Catalog any issues that you have experienced, any damages you find, and any concerns that you have. If you believe that you found something that needs to be repaired, you can discuss that with a roofer.
Without preventative maintenance, winterization will not be complete. Your system could falter, and you know what happens then: ice dams in the winter; leaking in the basement; mold in the attic; overflowing gutters and puddles around the foundation.
In short, if you want your chosen commercial roofing to last for many years, then you need to make it happen.
Do You Need a Maintenance Plan?
Commercial roofing may be a workhorse, but it still needs to be paid attention to. Regular maintenance will put a stopper on any minimal damages and boost the overall performance of the materials. Rather than hoping that everything is “okay up there,” schedule maintenance with a reliable roofing contractor.
At RGB Construction, we emphasize the necessity of preventative maintenance and are always happy to help our customers keep their roofing working efficiently. If you have any questions about our services, give us a call or fill out the contact form.
Check Out Our Other Chapters Of “The Ultimate Guide To Commercial Roofing” Below!
Chapter 1: Careers in Commercial Roofing
Want to learn more about what goes into becoming a commercial roofer? This chapter goes into detail about what a role as a commercial roofing contractor entails.
Chapter 2: Commercial Roof Types: What to Know About Different Systems
There is more to commercial roofing than black vs white roofing. Materials and systems are extremely varied, and not all of them are going to work for you.
Chapter 3: All About Commercial Roof Installation
Ready to have your new commercial roof installed? Get the facts before the installation team arrives. In this chapter, we outline the process step-by-step, hopefully eliminating any questions or concerns you might have.
Chapter 5: Is It Time for Replacement or Can Your Commercial Roof be Repaired?
Do you know when it is time to say goodbye to your current roof? We are going to explain some of the tell-tale signs to watch out for. Also, you will learn about different methods of repair, restoration, and replacement available.
