Routine roof maintenance helps keep your roof in good working order, preventing water damage to your building from rain and snow storms.
It’s much easier to check your roof for issues now than after it’s covered by snow and ice this winter. Plus, if you do discover a problem, you’ll have plenty of time to have repairs completed before the snow flies.
Here are our top 5 commercial roof preventive maintenance tasks to tackle this fall.
1.) Clear Debris From Your Roof
As debris like leaves, sticks, twigs, dirt, and pine needles build up, it adds weight to your roof. If that debris is allowed to stay untouched over the winter, its weight will be compounded by ice and snow, putting stress on your roofing system.
Debris gathered on your roof can also trap moisture, leading to rot or mold that, over time, will break down your roofing material and cause leaks. And as pooled moisture freezes in the winter, it can harm your roof’s membrane and shorten its lifespan.
To prevent these issues, take time each fall to clear off the accumulated debris from your roof.
2.) Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
Keeping your gutters cleaned out is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy roofing system.
Contrary to what you might think, a flat roof isn’t completely flat — in reality, a “flat” roof is slightly sloped. That sloping allows water to flow to your gutters and through your roof drains, helping to keep your roof free of standing water.
But when gutters become clogged with leaves and other debris, they can overflow during rainstorms, potentially damaging your roof, membrane, trim, and siding.
Clogs can also cause water to pool and freeze in the winter, leading to ice dams. Ice dams weigh down your gutters and downspouts, potentially causing damage to them — in some cases, the weight of ice dams can even pull gutters away from your building.
Having your gutters cleaned regularly by a professional will help prevent these problems and keep your roof maintenance costs down.
3.) Check Caulk and Flashing
Changing temperatures and harsh winter weather can wear down caulking over time, eventually leading to roof leaks.
Take a moment to check the caulk around flashing and seams, watching for cracks or areas of missing caulk. If your caulk or flashing are in poor condition, have them replaced before winter weather hits.
If you do need your flashing replaced, it’s important to have it done by a professional, as improperly installed flashing can lead to roof leaks.
4.) Look For Signs of Deterioration
Periodically check your roof for early signs of deterioration, especially after storms roll through. Even small rainstorms or wind gusts can cause deterioration over time. Pay special attention to areas of your roof where vertical and horizontal surfaces meet, as these areas are particularly vulnerable.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Look for rust, cracks, or corrosion on flashing
- Dips or soft spots can indicate rot or structural problems beneath the surface of your roof, as can curling or open seams and tears in the membrane
- Water or mud stains on your roof indicate that water has been pooling. Stains around drainage pipes typically mean that the drains themselves are clogged, while stains in other areas of your roof could signify that your roof is sagging and water is collecting in those areas
Consistent preventive maintenance is the best way to catch these problems before they cause serious damage to your roof and your building.
5.) Schedule a Commercial Roof Inspection With Roof Tech
Staying up to date on commercial roof preventive maintenance will keep debris and clogs from causing unnecessary damage to your roof, ensure your roof drains properly, and reduce the damage your roof sustains throughout the year.
It’s also important to schedule a routine commercial roof inspection each fall to ensure your roof is prepared to withstand the coming winter weather.
Contact Roof Tech today to request a commercial roof inspection. Our knowledgeable technicians will conduct a thorough inspection and provide recommendations for repairs to make sure your roof is in tip top shape this winter.
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT