Do You Have A Roof Preventative Maintenance Program?

Whether you replaced your entire commercial roof or you’ve had some repairs done…your commercial roof maintenance does not stop there. It is important to keep your roof on top of mind to keep it functioning overhead.

A commercial roof is not set it and forget it.  Most people have their windows cleaned regularly, but do not pay attention to their roof system. A roof is arguably one of the most important things to keep maintained in your facility.

A preventative maintenance program is a routine, comprehensive commercial roof maintenance program that is developed for you based on your individual needs. This program is designed to extend and maximize the overall service life of your roof.

Ways to Extend the Life of Your Roof

1. Utilize a condition-based maintenance and repair strategy.
   
   The best first step is to understand the condition of your roof and how these conditions affect your roof’s condition and making repair decisions based on how the work will extend the life of your roof. By understanding your roof’s condition and making repair decisions based on how the work will extend the life of your roof, you will be more educated when spending your roofing repair dollars.
   

2. Develop a baseline understanding of the condition of your roof.
   
   Have a detailed inspection performed on your roof.  This should be done by a contractor who has a thorough understanding of roof systems, roof repairs and maintenance.  Be sure you understand the aging process of your roof so you can both maximize the roof life and properly budget for repairs and eventual replacement.
   

3. Prioritize repairs based on objective not subjective criteria.
   
   Once you understand the condition of your roof, prioritize what repairs are needed.  If your budget is limited make sure you are performing the most critical repairs first. Prioritizing repairs can be challenging.  Below is a list of repairs to consider that will impact your roof’s performance and overall life expectancy.

Leaks – Once you see the first sign of a leak, have your roof repaired ASAP.  Leaks mean that moisture has entered your building envelope and can cause multiple problems if not addressed immediately.

Flashings have become loose – Check your flashings around your HVAC systems, walls, vents and pipes.  These flashings should be tightly secured to the roof assembly.

Downspouts and gutters are not functioning properly – Gutters are overflowing or not flowing properly through downspouts.  Often a result of a blocked area.  Properly draining roofs are essential to the longevity of the roof system.

Metal edge details have become loose – The edge of your roof is exposed to the greatest amount of pressure in a wind event.  Be sure that your metal edge is properly secured.

Drain baskets are full of debris – Strainer baskets around the roof drains should be free of debris so water can freely flow off the building.

Pitch pans are filled – Pitch pans are gasket-like detail often found housing the electrical and plumbing lines adjacent to a HVAC unit.  Over time the caulking settles and results in water sitting in the pitch pan.

Termination bars – Termination bars should be secure and the caulk used at the top of these should be in good working condition.

Rusting vents – Larger vents and exhaust pipes can rust over time.  If you notice oxidation taking place, have these wire brushed and treated with rust inhibiting coating.

Blister on the roof – When moisture enters into bitumen-based roof systems, in can cause blistering.  This is caused by moisture forming steam and placing upward pressure against the membrane which creates a blister.

Splits, tears and holes – If any of these problems are suspected, have them repaired as soon as possible.

Your roof is typically out of sight out, out of mind. Understand your roof warranty, most manufacturers identify a preventive maintenance program under the terms. Be proactive in extending the life of your roof by having a proper evaluation performed so you can fully understand the condition of your roof to make informed repairs and maintenance decisions.  In the end, this will help you maximize your roofing investment.

At Skyline, we are here to educate you and want to help you understand the condition of your roof so that we can work together to make the best decisions about your commercial roof. If you want to learn more about our roof preventative maintenance program, feel free to reach out.