Regular maintenance is crucial when it comes to commercial roofs. With proper care and attention, your roof can stay protected against severe weather conditions. It also ensures that the occupants of your building or facility can remain safe and comfortable all year round.
Today, we share some of the best maintenance practices for commercial roofing systems. Read on to learn more!
As a commercial building owner or facility manager, one of the first things you need to do is to collect all records relevant to the roof. These include its age, size and maintenance history. Your roofing record should also cover roof warranties and guarantees, repair reports and any changes or upgrades to roof-mounted mechanical equipment, such as HVAC units, solar panels, generators, electrical cabling and plumbing systems. There should also be an archive of the overall roof plan involving the drainage scheme, type of thermal insulation and perimeter edge conditions. All of this information should be filed and stored somewhere that is easily accessible to you.
Working with a roofing contractor that you trust is key to having a high-performance and energy-efficient roofing system. If you do not already have a name on speed dial, do not hesitate to ask your colleagues or other business owners for companies they can recommend. Then, get multiple estimates to compare and determine which company offers the best service at the most reasonable price. Do not simply base your decision on the price; pay attention to the experience and expertise of the roofer as well as the quality of products they are offering. Always do your research and read reviews from previous clients before hiring a roofer. Learn as much as you can about the company before conducting business with them. Consulting a building inspector can also help as they will know which roofing companies consistently meet code requirements.
Conduct thorough inspections of your commercial roof so you can catch small issues before they spiral out of control and turn into costly repairs. Locating and addressing a problem – such as loose flashing or hail punctures – while it is not a significant threat yet will not only save you time and money but also head off the premature deterioration of your roofing system.
It is a general rule to have your commercial roof inspected at least twice a year or after a serious weather event. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends getting roof inspections after the hottest and coldest months of the year. Building owners and facility managers are expected to know the current condition of their commercial roofs as environments change over the years. With accurate data about your flat or metal roofing, you can make important decisions involving its repair and maintenance. If your roof is of old age or has sustained serious structural damage due to a storm, for instance, regular inspections will allow you to prepare accordingly for a roof replacement project.
When you let inexperienced and untrained personnel access your commercial roof and tackle roof-related tasks, such as patching up leaks or adding ventilation, you are not only putting their well-being at risk, but also the comfort and safety of the building occupants.
Needless to say, it is best to leave minor repairs and extensive maintenance services to professionals who have extensive knowledge and technical know-how involving various roofing systems. Furthermore, professional roofers adhere to the proposed fall protection guidelines by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Failing to follow these standards can mean big trouble for the building owner or facility manager. With an experienced contractor on-site, you can also determine whether or not the issues are covered by your roof warranty. If the warranty or guarantee is applicable, proceed with discussing the appropriate steps to be taken with the issuer.
Unfortunately, many commercial roof owners forget about the importance of accessibility when it comes to the proper maintenance of their roofing systems. Because rooftops are dangerous, building owners need to make it relatively difficult for unqualified personnel to get on top of a commercial roof. This can be accomplished with locks, permission slips and time sheets. However, there is a different side to the coin. Once the staff members or roofers have passed the hurdles in place, they should be able to get around and perform critical functions easily in a safe environment. This means adding handrails, elevated spaces, crossover ramps, access platforms and more. Failure to meet these safety standards can endanger your workers. You can also receive a hefty fine depending on the violation.
Over the years, technological innovations have made great strides in detecting roof-related problems that are not easily visible to the naked eye. For example, infrared thermography is an effective technique used in evaluating a roofing assembly when there are concerns about moisture presence. On many commercial roofs, locating the source of water intrusion can sometimes be a complex procedure. By utilizing infrared thermography instead of a simple inspection, additional information that would otherwise require destructive testing can be obtained.
Other technologies that many roofing companies make use of include drones, in-field testing equipment, electrical impedance meters and high- or low-voltage electronic leak detection. Of course, the best diagnostic technologies and testing methods for your commercial roof would still largely depend on its material and structure as well as the ASTM standards.
If your roof needs professional attention from an experienced roofer, turn to Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. Our team specializes in commercial and flat roofing solutions. When you work with us, we will walk you through your options so you can make the best decision that fits your needs and budget. Give us a call at (905) 875-2888, or fill out our convenient online form to schedule an inspection and estimate.
The onslaught of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures during the winter season can be particularly…
Are you planning to check off items on your to-do list this winter? Whether you…
In addition to selecting the right roofing material and color, it is important to consider…
Whether your commercial building uses a modified bitumen or low-sloped metal roofing system, it's important to practice…
Being a homeowner warrants many responsibilities that can sometimes be stressful. For instance, filing an…
Exterior remodeling projects can help increase your home's resale value, allowing you to attract more…