For most owners, the business building(s) represents their largest capital investment and is an important long-term asset. Ongoing maintenance is essential to keep business property in tip-top shape.
Often the roof is taken for granted since it is “out of sight”, but it is the most important single element in protecting your staff, equipment, inventory, and livelihood.
How does a building owner ensure the roof is properly cared for to obtain the longest possible service life? By implementing a properly thought out and well-designed roof maintenance plan.
Sentry Roofing has been providing commercial / industrial rooftop services for 38 years throughout the Midwest, including roof evaluations, maintenance, and replacements on every type of building property imaginable.
Following are some commercial roof maintenance tips that may assist you in rooftop management.
First, perform a rooftop inspection each quarter
Why every quarter? That seems like a lot.
In the Midwest, we see significant changes in weather conditions with each of the four seasons that pass. Each season affects roofs in a different way.
The thaw that comes at the beginning of Spring is followed by rain, hail, high winds, and wind-blown debris.
Then summer follows with thunderstorms, lightning, intense solar radiation, and scorching rooftop temperatures.
In autumn, the leaves and twigs fall and frequently clog roof drains and gutters, and a larger falling limb could damage roof surfaces. And then comes winter!
The reoccurring freeze and thaw cycle can further compound any minor roof damage that was overlooked before the winter season arrived.
Preserving the value of the company’s buildings, preventing structural damage due to leakage, and protecting inventory, equipment, and staff is a priority for every business owner.
Regular roof inspections are a big first big step in protecting that investment by prolonging roof life and maintaining a safe environment.
Which is best – self-perform roof inspections or hire a professional?
This is a good question, and the answer depends on several factors:
- Are you comfortable accessing the roof and performing an inspection?
- Do you have the knowledge to properly assess your roof?
- Time is always a factor; do you have the time to dedicate to the roof?
If you elect to self-perform the roof inspection, here are some areas to check:
First, check inside for any indications of leaking including mold, stains, or ceiling damage.
On the rooftop inspect the following:
- Cracks or tears in membrane roofing
- Blisters or splits in asphalt roofing
- Open seams in any roof system
- The base of all roof penetrations
- The termination to walls, curbs, vents, etc.
- Membrane that is discolored
- HVAC units – missing or open doors
- HVAC – damaged or leaking ductwork
- Fascia, coping, and edge details
- Clean debris from drain baskets, gutters
- Remove any debris from roof
There is more to a commercial roof inspection than simply stepping onto the roof and making observations.
Not every person wants to get up on their roof, as rooftops can be a hazardous environment. Rooftop safety is a consideration that must not be taken lightly, especially in windy, rainy or frosty weather conditions.
A roofing professional has training to work safely on the roof and also has the ability to identify problems the layman may not be aware of.
In your business, you are the professional and we would not pretend to know how to manage your business.
But the rooftop is our world and roof evaluation, maintenance, repair and replacement are where we shine.
Extending roof life with timely maintenance
Reroofing is expensive and every year of life that can be gained from an existing system is money saved.
The best means of extending the life of any existing commercial roof system is through timely maintenance. Of all commercial roof maintenance tips, this is the most valuable.
Rooftop inspections and resulting repairs/maintenance are directly correlated to roof performance and roof life.
We advise you respond promptly to roof problems of any kind.
Hiring a professional
When you hire a professional roofing contractor, you should feel confident knowing that:
- The commercial roof inspector is knowledgeable about the best rooftop safety practices, to keep themselves and the building occupants safe.
- They are skilled at evaluating all types of roof systems including membranes, sprayed foam, built up coal tar or asphalt, modified bitumen, or metal roofing.
- There are many areas that may need attention on your roof and the inspector knows where to look, and more importantly, knows what to look for, to help prevent minor problems from becoming major concerns.
- The roof inspector will use materials appropriate for your system to make repairs, ensuring a high-quality and long-lasting solution.
The ultimate goal at Sentry Roofing is to allow you to concentrate on your business while we take care of your roof.
Our crews are experienced, pricing is competitive, and after 38 years in the business with thousands of completed repairs and installations in forty states across the country, we know our business well!
How can you be proactive?
There are several actions you can take with commercial roof maintenance.
- Cut back trees overhanging the roof, to reduce rooftop debris and avoid roof damage from falling limbs.
- Promote staff safety and limit roof damage by restricting foot traffic as much as possible.
- Consider having walk mats placed around rooftop equipment.
- Many apparent roof leaks are actually due to failing rooftop equipment. Inspect and maintain HVAC systems and other rooftop equipment to prevent those leaks.
- When rooftop items are serviced, perform a follow up inspection of the work area to ensure no damage was done to the roof.
The next step…
As a well-established, successful commercial/industrial roofing contractor in the Midwest, our goal is to make the task of inspecting, repairing or replacing your roof a simple, pleasant experience with minimal interference to your facility and staff. We can create a maintenance plan that is tailored to meet the unique needs of your facility.
Give Sentry Roofing a call today to schedule your roof evaluation.
We strive to be the only roofing contractor you’ll need. With more than 38 years of experience and successful projects completed in more than 40 states, we are well equipped to tackle your roofing needs.
You may reach us at 800-446-2133 or contact us on our website here. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service!
