When it comes to preventative roof maintenance, it very seldom comes to mind. It’s a lot like tires in that we tend to only think about it when a problem occurs.
However, just like with tires, maintenance can extend the life of your roof. Regular inspections, at least twice a year being recommended, is a good way to start into keeping your roof at its best. It’s best to inspect your roof after the coldest and hottest parts of the year, at the minimum, as extreme temperatures can and will do damage. Major weather incidents should also be followed with an inspection of some sort, just to assess any damage that could have been done.
The benefits to inspecting your roof far outweigh the cons. For example, we’ve listed eight ways that roof maintenance will benefit your business:
-
- Lifespan: The main point in getting your roof inspected and maintained, is to increase the lifespan of the roof. The better maintained the roof, the longer it will last. While this may seem unneeded, it is in fact a vital part of the building’s care and upkeep. If the roof fails, than the rest of the building is quick to follow.
-
- Protection: A well maintained roof is needed in order to protect your customers and clients from the weather. Preventing leaks allows you to keep on top of any potential problems that could quickly become dangerous for everyone in the building. The last thing you want is for your roof to become compromised and fall in on everyone.
-
- Comfort: Your roof is vital in keeping the building cool or warm as needed. There are a lot of insulation involved in roofing, and even for warehouses, the roof is important in temperature control. If your roof is in poor condition, chances are you’re losing quite a bit of heat or cooling through it, driving up your costs as well as driving out customers and clients when they aren’t comfortable in your business.
-
- Cost: While you may think that the biannual (or more) inspections and maintenance is costly, replacing your entire roof is more so. Catching problems quickly is the key to saving money. Instead of having to pay for an entire roof replacement, you’re only having to worry about small sections as needed.
-
- Allergens: Leaky roofs lead to mold, which leads to allergies and other potential illnesses. Maintaining your roof and keeping on top of any leaks keeps your business and building from gathering any mold issues (at least from that angle) and allows a more breathable atmosphere. Mold can be extremely dangerous, so if you suspect that there is mold in your roof structure, we suggest you have it inspected immediately.
-
- Time Saving: While inspections and maintenance take time, they take far less time than a full roof replacement would. Instead of having to stop business for days as your roof is replaced, you can stay open or take a far less time off while smaller issues are fixed.
-
- Pest Control: Critters, such as bugs and birds, get in through holes in the roof. With maintenance, those holes are found and fixed before anything can have time to make too much damage. Any damage done can be repaired easily enough as well. It’s best to catch the problem before the pests take over.
-
- Drainage: Improper drainage on your roof will not only lead to roof damages, but possible foundation issues. Maintenance and inspections will allow you to keep track of where your rainwater or snow runoff is being drained to and therefore prevent extreme issues.
Every roof should be inspected, whether sloped, flat or slightly inclined. Different roofs call for different needs, and your inspectors/contractors should know exactly what they’re looking at and for when they are maintaining your roof.
