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June 22, 2023

Commercial Roofing Maintenance: What Every Building Owner Should Know

Key Takeaways:

  1. Importance of Roof Maintenance: Commercial building owners often overlook the importance of maintaining their roofing systems and flat roofs. Neglecting maintenance can lead to costly repairs, structural risks, and premature roof replacement.
  2. Regular Inspections: Regular inspections, ideally biannually, are crucial for identifying both visible and hidden damage. Early detection and timely repairs significantly extend the lifespan of a commercial roof.
  3. Holistic Maintenance: Maintenance should encompass the entire roofing system, including components that can't be visually inspected. This means addressing indirect symptoms of roof issues and involving roofing professionals for comprehensive assessments.
  4. Storm and Water Damage: After severe storms, watch for loose flashing, standing water, and signs of interior water or moisture damage. Promptly addressing storm-related issues prevents further deterioration.
  5. Documentation: Maintain detailed maintenance logs and document all issues, repairs, and their outcomes. This documentation is valuable for future repairs, evidence of work completed, and liability concerns.
  6. Seasonal Maintenance: Extreme weather conditions stress commercial roofs. Implement seasonal maintenance routines to prepare the roof for challenges ahead. Spring and fall maintenance tailored to the preceding season's conditions is advisable.
  7. Know Your Roof Material: Understand the roofing material used and its maintenance requirements based on climate and building needs. Different materials demand distinct maintenance approaches to prevent roofing problems.
  8. Reducing Loads: Avoid placing unnecessary loads on the roof and keep it clean from dirt and debris accumulation. Regular clearing prevents moisture buildup and mold growth.
  9. Clear Gutters: Maintain clear gutters and drainage systems to prevent water damage and mold growth.
  10. Tree Pruning: Trim trees and bushes to prevent scratches and falling debris that can damage the roof, especially during storms.
  11. Professional Help: Engaging roofing professionals for inspections, assessments, and repairs is crucial. Regular maintenance ensures compliance with warranties and minimizes the risk of expensive damages.

Many commercial building owners are unaware of how important good care of their commercial roofing system and flat roof is. It's easy to ignore a roof, since you don't really look at it daily, and it's hard to see the wear and tear.

However, not having regular inspections and not conducting routine maintenance to find and fix minor roof issues early on, before they deteriorate into significant damage, means more costly repairs, risks to structural integrity, and even a premature total roof replacement. Most commercial roofs are designed to last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, but this doesn't mean they don't need maintenance, and they won't last their full term without care.

A commercial roof is expensive, so it makes sense to inspect and maintain it, so you get the most possible use out of it. Below are some roof maintenance tips, to help you make sure you are caring for your flat roof effectively.

Take Care of the Entire Commercial Roofing System

Firstly, be sure you are maintaining your entire roof. Commercial roof maintenance needs to include all elements of roofing systems, including membranes and parts of the system that can't be visually inspected. This means going beyond noting visible signs of damage and repairing them, to looking for indirect symptoms of roof issues, such as water damage. A roofing professional who specializes in commercial roof inspection can help identify areas that need repair and make recommendations.

Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips

Conduct a Biannual Roof Inspection

Conduct a Biannual Roof Inspection

If you are not inspecting your roof for hidden and visible damage, minor issues will go unnoticed, and these little problems will be allowed to deteriorate into major issues. Manufacturers and professional roofing contractor organizations recommend biannual or at least annual roof system inspections, making sure to complete any noted repairs needed, to extend your commercial roof's longevity significantly. Inspecting after the extremes of winter weather and summer heat is best.

Checking for holes, tears, cracks and blisters, as well as other damages or warning signs of issues, like roofing material pulling away, helps identify early damage for timely repairs. Don't forget to check roof flashing, which covers any openings to prevent water leaks, which can deteriorate, pull away, or get punctured. 

A professional inspection helps ensure all potential issues are identified early and prioritized for repair.

Watch for Storm Damage and Water Damage

After severe storms, be sure to check for loose flashing, standing water afterwards, and other signs.

Even if you don't notice anything damaged on your roof, watch for other signs there may be roofing problems, like water or moisture damage on interior walls, including mold and mildew. Don't forget to check ceilings and attics.

Items to Check on Flat Roofs During a Roof Inspection

Roof Structures

Check all flashing, and look at vents, fascias, chimneys, drip edges and other structures. Look for damage and signs of dampness. Repairs are needed if there is any:

  • sagging
  • rotting
  • corrosion
  • water pooling
  • punctures, tears, or holes
  • blisters
  • materials that have pulled away

Debris and Blocked or Broken Gutters

Check for debris weighing on a roof or blocking the roof’s drainage system, and clear any away as soon as possible. This helps clean the area so that damage can more easily be spotted, as well as acting as preventive maintenance against the issues that wet, rotting, or heavy debris can cause. 

Keep Detailed Maintenance Logs

Good maintenance logs help you keep track of what you have done in the past, but also allows you to predict potential future repairs.  It is useful as evidence of work completed, too, if you are selling your commercial building or for liability concerns. Be sure to include what was inspected, what was received, and what exactly was repaired and how.

Document All Issues and Repairs and Take Pictures of Visible Damage

Take pictures to document leak locations, tears and cracks, and other issues, as well as the condition after repairs. This is a good visual record to track deterioration and effectiveness of repairs.

Complete Roof Repair for Early Signs of Damage

Complete Roof Repair for Early Signs of Damage

Whether you notice issues during an inspection or throughout the year, if damage to your roofing materials, including your roof membrane or any other roofing systems elements, occurs, don't delay necessary repairs; they are more cost effective to repair earlier, and help prevent premature deterioration of your commercial roof.

Seasonal Maintenance for Resilient Roofs

The extremes of summer and winter weather creates stresses on your roof, so seasonal commercial roof maintenance is essential to prepare it for the challenges of the next season. It makes a natural routine for your regular roof inspection to check for damage commonly caused by the conditions of the previous season. 

In spring, remove debris from roofs and gutters, trim back trees. Learn about more spring maintenance tips to prepare for summer here. In fall, look for UV damage and replace or repair compromised materials, and reduce any load on the roof to prepare for winter snow.

Know Your Commercial Roof Material

Commercial property owners should be familiar with the roof material used, and make sure it is suitable for the climate and building needs. You should also make sure you are aware of the specific maintenance recommended for your type of material. Each roofing material type requires different maintenance, so you should develop an appropriate maintenance plan for your commercial building to prevent roofing issues. 

Find out more about roof material choices, and consult with a roofing expert on the best roofing material for your commercial buildings.

Keep Your Commercial Roof Clean and Reduce Unnecessary Loads

Be sure to not store anything on the roof or allow people on it unless necessary to keep loads light. Flat commercial roofs tend to collect dirt and debris that needs to be regularly cleared, to prevent built up loads, trapped moisture and mold growth.

Clear Gutters

As part of ongoing roof maintenance, ensure gutters and drainage systems are cleared regularly, to avoid water damage and mold.  

Prune Nearby Trees 

Tree branches can scratch and fall onto commercial roofs, especially during high winds from a storm. Trimming trees and bushes helps prevent this, as well as reducing the buildup of leaves and debris.

Get Professional Help

Get Professional Help

Keeping to a regular inspection, maintenance and repair program can lead to significant cost savings, and reduce the risks of significant roof damage that can lead to building closures and other inconveniences. It lengthens the roof life expectancy. Regular maintenance is critical to comply with manufacturer's requirements for warranties, and prevents expensive damages that aren't covered.

ABSI can help you with thorough inspections and assessments, making recommendations for repairs, and other services, so you get the maximum life out of your roof.

Contact Us For Any Concerns About Commercial Roofing Maintenance

For any concerns about commercial roofing maintenance. Our expert team is based at 2800 14th Ave, Unit 13, Markham, ON L3R 0E4, proudly serving the Toronto area. To connect with us in Toronto, dial 416-939-0129. If you're in the Durham Region, reach out at 416-871-7453. Count on us for comprehensive building science solutions tailored to your needs.

FAQ:

1. How often should I inspect my commercial roof?

Ideally, commercial roofs should be inspected at least biannually. Inspections after the extreme weather of winter and summer are recommended.

2. Why is early detection of roof damage important?

Early detection allows for timely repairs, preventing minor issues from escalating into major problems, extending the roof's lifespan, and minimizing repair costs.

3. What should I check for during a roof inspection?

Check for holes, tears, cracks, blisters, water pooling, sagging, rotting, corrosion, and any signs of dampness. Inspect all roof structures, flashing, vents, chimneys, and other components.

4. Why is documentation important in roof maintenance?

Documentation helps track past maintenance, predicts potential repairs, provides evidence of work for liability concerns, and aids in monitoring deterioration and the effectiveness of repairs.

5. How does seasonal maintenance benefit commercial roofs?

Seasonal maintenance prepares the roof for upcoming challenges by addressing issues caused by the previous season's weather conditions, helping to prevent future problems.

6. Can I store items on my commercial roof?

It's advisable to avoid storing items on the roof unless necessary. Extra loads can contribute to structural stress and damage over time.

7. What is the significance of gutter maintenance?

Clearing gutters regularly prevents water damage and mold growth, as clogged gutters can lead to water accumulation on the roof.

8. Why is knowing my roof material important?

Understanding your roof material's characteristics and maintenance requirements helps tailor your maintenance plan to prevent specific roofing issues.

9. Can tree branches damage my commercial roof?

Yes, tree branches can scratch and fall onto commercial roofs during storms. Pruning trees and bushes reduces the risk of damage and debris buildup.

10. How can professionals help with roof maintenance?

Roofing professionals provide thorough inspections, recommend repairs, and ensure compliance with warranty requirements. Regular professional maintenance prevents costly damages and extends the roof's lifespan.

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