Commercial roof maintenance is similar to residential roof maintenance. There are certain tasks that must be accomplished in order to receive the most functionality out of your commercial roof. When something significant goes wrong with a commercial roof, like an accident, or severe weather damage entire sections of a building can be shut down for days or weeks at a time. This is not an ideal situation. You end up losing productivity and revenue because of something that could have been potentially been avoided with commercial roof maintenance.
In other words, if you want your roof to survive the unexpected, it is best to come up with a maintenance plan. You must also perform said plan regularly (or have a roofing company like RGB Construction assist). To get your started on commercial roof maintenance, here is everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Regular maintenance prevents costly disruptions and revenue loss due to unexpected roof issues.
- Create a detailed maintenance plan, including seasonal tasks, and conduct regular inspections.
- Monitor roof covers, drainage systems, metal edge flashing, roof-mounted equipment, solar panels, lightning protection, roof hatches, and skylights.
- Use a checklist to track wear and tear, prioritizing immediate repairs for items in poor condition.
- Partner with a trusted contractor like RGB Construction for expert assistance and scheduled inspections to safeguard your business’s future.
Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan
A written maintenance plan should exist in order to manage maintenance activities that involve ongoing or everyday checks as well as more detailed issues with repairs and replacement. Depending on the size of your business, you may be doing some of these routine maintenance tasks yourself. However, it is highly recommended that if no fall protection is available, that you bring in licensed roofing contractors for assistance. You can show the roofing contractor your maintenance plan when they are on-site.
A commercial roof maintenance plan is also great for understanding which tasks need to be done and when. For example, you can divide some tasks based on seasonality. When fall comes around, a good task to have written down is to check for ponding water or heaps of leaves on the roof that may cause moisture retention.
Don’t forget the importance of including roof inspections in your maintenance plan. Consider having a professional inspect your commercial roof at least twice a year. Ongoing inspections are the method to use in order to extend and maintain the life of a roof as well as keep up with any possible developing problems.
Commercial Roof Maintenance Steps
You already know that regular maintenance is the key to extending the lifespan of your commercial roof, preventing leaks, and preserving your investment. Now, let’s look at some steps to help you effectively inspect and maintain your commercial roof.
Consider keeping a checklist alongside your maintenance plan that tracks the condition of certain objects and items. Rate their condition on a scale of poor, good, and great, where good means that there are signs of wear, but it’s not liable to break. Poor means immediate repairs are necessary. With that in mind, here is how to conduct commercial roofing maintenance:
1. Roof Covers
For commercial properties with low-slope or flat roof types, it’s crucial to check for signs of long-term standing water, which can lead to excessive weathering and roof membrane brittleness. Look out for mold or vegetation growth, as these are indicators of water damage. Depending on your roof type, here are additional steps to consider:
- Ballasted Roof Systems: Inspect for an even distribution of rocks and move them back into place if needed, taking care not to damage the roof membrane.
- Built-Up and Modified Bitumen: Monitor the roof for bubbles, blisters, cracks, excessive wear around connections, tears, punctures, and signs of weathering.
- Single-Ply Membranes: Inspect and repair any tears, worn seams, seam failures, gaps, loose fasteners, punctures, and brittleness. For adhered systems, check for loose membranes and blisters.
- Sprayed Polyurethane Foam: Keep an eye out for excessive weathering, tears, or punctures that may compromise the acrylic coating.
- Metal Panels: Regularly inspect for loose screws, rust, dents, and signs of discolored or worn-off paint, which acts as an anti-rust layer.
2. Roof Drainage Systems
Clear your roof of debris, including leaves, sticks, and construction materials. This is critical to preventing blockages that could lead to drainage issues during heavy storms. Ensure that gutters and downspouts are clear, and verify that your gutters are sloped correctly toward the downspout. If you notice that any section of the gutter system is backed up or that segments or loose or missing, consider calling in a professional for repairs. You do not want to wait for the next storm or snowfall for major damages to be incurred.
3. Metal Roof Edge Flashing
Make sure that the metal edge flashing, which is installed where the roof cover meets the wall, is secure and properly fitted. Loose or ill-fitted flashing increases the risk of water intrusion. If you have a sloped roof with shingles, be sure to check the flashing around the chimney and any dormers.
4. Roof-Mounted Equipment
Inspect roof-mounted equipment for rust on metal panels, loose connections, and metal flashing on curbs. Next, check the equipment’s connection to the curb to identify potential water leaks. Ensure that cables and straps are tightly secured, with no slack. Then, after any service, re-inspect equipment to confirm that all screws, cables, and straps are tightened, and no debris is left behind. This is essential for maintaining the equipment’s structural integrity.
5. Solar (Photovoltaic) Panels
Secure solar panels and their components properly, especially in regions prone to high winds. This will help prevent potential damage to your roofing system during severe weather conditions. If you notice any cracks or issues with either the solar panels or the roofing materials around where they are mounted, call in a professional.
6. Lightning Protection
Check the rods and cables to ensure they are taut. Consider using closed-loop connectors for added security. Loose cables can damage the roof membrane, leading to leaks.
7. Roof Hatches
Tighten any loose hardware and inspect flashing for potential leaks. Roof hatches should be well-maintained to prevent water intrusion. This is also another area of the roof where flashing will be present. Furthermore, check to make sure the flashing is still secured and not allowing for water to seep underneath.
8. Skylights
Inspect skylights for cracks, leaks, signs of hail damage, and securements to the curb around the skylight. Additionally, pay attention to any rotting wood, which should be addressed promptly.
Looking for a Roofing Contractor for Commercial Roof Maintenance?
Commercial roof maintenance is important. It’s all too easy to adopt an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude when it comes to your building’s crowning glory. However, neglecting your commercial roof can prove to be a costly mistake, one that might result in disruptive downtime and significant revenue loss. Check for issues on a regular basis. Also, considering partnering with a professional commercial roofing contractor like RGB Construction.
RGB Construction has many years of experience assisting business owners like yourself on commercial roof inspections, maintenance, repairs, and replacements. If you have a problem, we can solve it. Give us a call at 856-264-9093 or fill out the contact form. Schedule your inspection and invest in the future of your business today!
