Maintaining a commercial or industrial building can be expensive for business owners. Investing time into regular maintenance can extend the life of your roof and protect against unnecessary expenses. Proactive care is the best way to ensure minor issues don’t become costly roof repairs. We’ve served Southeast Michigan for more than 25 years and completed hundreds of commercial roof repairs and replacements. Our team shares what we’ve seen increase a roof’s lifespan and save business owners time and money:
5 Commercial Roofing Maintenance Tips
1.Keep It Clean
This is one of the easiest proactive measures you can take in roof maintenance. The surface of your roof as well as gutters, downspouts and drains should be cleaned at least twice a year. If your building is surrounded by trees or a windy storm has passed through, additional cleaning might be needed. Remove debris, sticks, leaves and rocks. Loose materials can cause water backups, retain moisture and deteriorate roofing more quickly. Throughout the winter months, be sure surfaces are free of snow and ice dams. This unnecessary weight can cost sagging or cracking and lessen the strength of your roof.
2. Do Regular Inspections
Every six months, spend some quality time inspecting the underside and exterior of your roof. Check for loose materials, sagging, cracking and wear that could cause future issues. Within interior areas, look for potential leaks, often indicated with spots that are black or yellow or water marks on ceilings. While this inspection can be done by a building manager or owner, some businesses invest in having a local contractor complete a full, annual inspection. This allows the contractor to quickly identify problem areas and repair them before they become more expensive and a bigger issue down the road.
3.Repair Roof Damage Early
If ignored, even the smallest damage can cause serious problems and shorten the life of your industrial roof. After your bi-annual roof cleanings and inspections, determine if any repairs are needed and take care of them quickly. A roof protects every layer of your building; small leaks can cause damage to your building’s electrical, air duct system, structure and beyond –– costing many thousands of dollars in later repairs. The moment you see signs of a leak, call a professional.
4. Keep Records of Roofing Work
Some commercial buildings are managed by multiple people throughout the roof’s life. Recording what repairs were done, when the project was completed and which contractor was used can help guide future roof investments. This documentation can also include equipment installation information, warranties and photographs. Even if a single building owner handles all roof repairs, recording specific details can help inform decisions for the roof’s care.
5.Invest in Professional Roofing Contractors
Hiring a licensed, insured experienced commercial roofing contractor will help ensure your roof stays in great shape. Skilled roofers use advanced techniques and technology, such as infrared thermal imaging, to thoroughly evaluate and repair roof damage. This makes sure nothing gets missed and it helps eliminate the guesswork so that roof repairs are completed properly the first time.
Is your commercial or industrial roof in need of repairs or replacement? Give us a call!
