Regular Maintenance: Your Roof Has Something To Tell You

When was the last time you had a roofing professional perform regular maintenance on your commercial roof? Your roof is exposed to a myriad of potential problems that can be caused by exposure to weather, UV rays, ice, debris, faulty repairs, rooftop traffic, improper installation, and other issues. Problems with your roof can lead to premature deterioration and shorten roof life if they’re not caught early. 

Regular roof maintenance gives you the opportunity to inspect each area of your roof, review the condition of the materials and components that make up your roof, and notice any changes that may have occurred since the last scheduled maintenance. Your roof gives telltale signs of what’s working and what’s not. 

Big problems caused by small issues

Even minor roof leaks can cause major problems inside your building, such as damage to ceilings, walls, electrical work, building structure, and equipment or machinery. The cost of making these repairs, on top of the repairs to your roof, can add up. 

Let’s say there’s a small gap in the flashing around a roof penetration such as an exhaust fan. Water enters into the roofing system through that gap, allowing moisture to seep into your roof insulation and possibly your building. It can take a long time to identify a flashing gap if you wait until you see signs of water inside your building. By then the wet insulation is no longer as effective and can lead to other problems, thereby shortening the performance and longevity of your roof. 

A qualified roof maintenance expert will notice that small gap and fix it on the spot, keeping water damage to your roofing system and inside of your building to a minimum. 

Other problems your roof inspector will look for include:

• Debris buildup
• Damage from debris
• Damage from storms
• Roof membrane damage from personnel who work on rooftop equipment 
• Issues related to roof penetrations
• Missing or loose flashing
• Base flashing that’s slipping
• Pitch pocket problems
• Restricted water flow and runoff
• Gutter seals issues or corrosion
• Mold
• Damage to or degradation of any roofing material

Often problems like these

can be fixed the same day or with a few hours of work later in the week. If your roof is experiencing a lot of these problems at the same time and you don’t know about it, they could reach a critical mass that leads to major problems including roofing system failure, especially during extreme weather. No one wants that. 

Red flags you need to know about 

Water ponding on your roof is an example of a red flag that needs attention. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), water on your roof should drain or evaporate within 48 hours or sooner. If it doesn’t, you could have an underlying problem that’s as simple as a clogged drainage system or as complex as improperly tapered roof insulation or a roof deck issue. Stagnant water is heavy, which strains your roofing system and can weaken supports and decking or, if the ponding is deep, the integrity of your building. If the roof membrane in a ponding area is punctured during a storm or other event, the pooled water could drain directly into your roofing system and property. 

Ponding water can also contain contaminants that degrade your roof membrane. Even today’s high-quality roofing materials are susceptible to degradation from prolonged exposure to contaminants.

Another red flag found during routine roof maintenance is a change in the appearance of your roof membrane. Cracks, blisters, bubbles, and gaps in seams are all signs of trouble, as is premature material degradation. These problems can be especially significant with single-ply systems. 

If you’re seeing evidence of a roof leak inside your building, like a ceiling or wall stain, or smell mold or musty odors, those are red flags that probably could’ve been prevented with regular maintenance.

Written reports, budgeting, and roof management

The written documentation a roof maintenance expert provides gives you data you need for effective roof management, including developing a solid capital budget. Knowing the current condition of your roof (and having the photos that prove it) helps you plan and budget for major roof repairs, roof renovations, and roof replacements and get approval from your board if needed.

Few things can get your property budget off track faster than a major roofing emergency. 

Ideally, you have a collaborative relationship with a roofing contractor who understands your unique roofing system and not only provides maintenance services but major repairs, renovations and re-roofing services as well. A contractor with at least 10 years of experience working with property owners and managers is your best bet for a coordinated approach to roof management and longevity. You should feel like the professional in charge of keeping your roof in good shape is your partner and is focused on your best interests.

How often should you schedule commercial roof maintenance?

Your roofing contractor will suggest the appropriate interval for roof maintenance based on your property, geographic location, roofing system, roofing system age and other factors. At a minimum, you’ll want to have it inspected and maintained twice a year and after major storms. The older your roofing system, the more you need to have it inspected. 

Think of roof maintenance in the same way you think of car maintenance. If you change the oil regularly, use the recommended type of gas, perform scheduled tune-ups, and fix faulty components as needed, you can drive that car for a long time and get good resale value, too. Well-maintained roofs typically last 25% longer than roofs that aren’t maintained. That translates into as many as eight extra years, which is a very good investment. Listening to what your roof is telling you pays off!

This post has been updated to include new information.