Need to extend the lifespan of your roof?
Contrary to popular belief, there are several practices you can implement that extend the lifespan of your roof—it’s not just a case of installing it one time and hoping for the best. While there are times when a maintenance team needs to come by and fix your roof, there are steps that you can take to keep things in tip-top shape in the interim. Commercial roof repair can be costly, and doing what you can to improve functionality and performance can be highly beneficial in the long-run. Establishing a comprehensive inspection plan is a great strategy for any company that wants to get the most out of their roof and minimize the frequency that they have to work with commercial roofing contractors. So what steps should you take when it comes to in-house maintenance and repair? We’ve outlined some helpful steps that you can adhere to in order to extend the lifespan of your existing roof. Building owners, take note—we’re here to help you get the most out of your commercial roofing services.
What factors should you take into account?
First and foremost, take stock of what issues you’re dealing with right now:
- What’s the environment your roof operates in?
- What’s the current status of the roof?
From there, you’ll be able to formulate a clear direction for your roof’s maintenance. You’ll be able to answer questions like:
- What’s the wear and tear on your roof? Is it a one-time only issue, or something more persistent (maybe you live in a windy area, or somewhere with few trees and mild weather), and what sort of risk does the environment pose to your roof?
- What sort of access do people have to your roof? Are there technicians up there more often than not? Do you have an HVAC system up there? Is it used for any activity that adds significant pressure?
The more information you have on your roof, and what kind of pressures it withstands on a daily basis, the easier it is to administer a specific inspection solution.
What inspection plan is right for you?
After you’ve established the risk level for your roof, the next step is to crystallize an inspection plan. This involves a few specific aspects that apply to every kind of roof, no matter what.
- Step 1: Schedule regular inspections every 4-6 months.
- Take careful note of the wall’s perimeter—this can be a problem area for a lot of facilities.
- If you’re inspecting in the fall, take care of any preventative maintenance issues before winter. Putting off crucial fixes and other issues can be an enormous problem when it gets cold outside.
- In the spring, check to see if there’s any damage that’s been caused by the severe winter weather and make a repair decision based on what’s appropriate.
- Step 2: Inspect after major weather events and construction. Most roofing maintenance contracts have you covered if a drastic weather event affects your roof.
- Step 3: Check key elements, including pitch plans, roof drains, and evidence of standing water.
- Step 4: Keep a detailed record of everything you do for your roof. The more information you have available, the easier it is.
