A Complete Guide to Commercial Roof Maintenance
Not all commercial roof systems are built the same, but all property owners or business managers will inevitably encounter roof damage over time. Roof maintenance programs from providers like Seal Roofing play a big role in reducing or eliminating replacement costs, and significantly boost the service lifespan of your surface.
This article will cover what commercial roof maintenance is, what’s included, how a commercial roof maintenance plan is helpful, signs you need inspection or maintenance, and the benefits of regular care. Here’s everything you need to know:
What Is Commercial Roof Maintenance?
Preventative roof maintenance is the most basic care business owners or property managers can provide for their commercial buildings. Commercial maintenance should be followed in accordance with the guidelines set by the roofing material manufacturer.
The process involves routine checks of roofing systems that allow a roofing contractor to conduct a visual inspection and search for damages like water leaks, ponding water, gutter damage, and other commercial issues.
For most roofing warranties to stay valid, you need to have your commercial roof inspected at least once a year. But periodic inspections, especially before seasons like winter, go a long way to prolonging the service lifespan of your system.
What Does Flat Roof Maintenance Include?
Commercial roof maintenance often includes small tasks, like repairing and cleaning gutters. These tasks keep your roof clean and safe. You can receive maintenance from flat roof specialists like Seal Roofing.
Why Your Business Needs Flat Roof Maintenance
You may think that you should have your roof installed and then leave it as is to save yourself and your business money. Then you pay for commercial roof maintenance and repairs when you need them, right? Not quite. Preventative maintenance keeps your repairs to a minimum, so you spend less money on your roof in the long run than you would without maintenance. When your contractor performs preventative maintenance, they check the roof for minor problems and fix them before they become costly damages.
Using a Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan
Setting up a commercial roof maintenance program and inspections with a professional contractor like Seal Roofing extends the life of your system and prevents premature failure. Reputable and reliable contractors like Seal Roofing recommend bi-annual inspections for commercial surfaces. Consistent maintenance is a duty and responsibility of commercial business owners to ensure the safety of the structure and everyone around or inside the building. Listed below are factors provided by commercial maintenance:
- Regular inspections
- Debris removal
- Necessary repairs
- Accurate and clear documentation
- Peace of mind
Signs Your Surface Needs Commercial Roof Maintenance
With so much else going on, it’s easy to forget to schedule and apply roof maintenance as a business manager or property owner, until something happens to your surface. Roof repair is an expected expense, but replacement is a costly factor that may only be factored into the budget once every few decades. Outlined below are different signs that your commercial surface needs maintenance. Be sure not to neglect before minor issues become fatal.
Blistering Is Noticeable
Blistering or bubbling will appear on a flat roof when air moisture pockets form between the underlayment material and the roof membrane. Spotting and addressing blistering in its early stage is the difference between routine roof maintenance and an entire replacement.
Damaged Roofing Membranes
Strong winds, storms, and winter weather, especially in the Philadelphia area, are the primary source of damage to roof membranes. Minor damage, especially when caught quickly, can be repaired by commercial roof maintenance.
Ponding or Standing Water Visible
Visible water or puddles on your flat roof 48 hours past the most recent rainfall indicate a ponding or standing water issue. This could be due to damaged or poorly located downspouts, gutters, or drainage systems. If not repaired quickly, ponding will eventually cause water leakage damage.
Failing Downspouts and Gutters
As mentioned above, ponding or standing water on a commercial roof can be due to failing downspouts or gutters. If you notice no water coming out of your downspouts following rain, your gutters are likely clogged. Schedule commercial roof maintenance to clear your downspouts and drainage systems.
Are you interested in learning more about commercial roof maintenance? Check out this article answering commonly asked FAQs.
Benefits of Commercial Roof Maintenance
No matter which type of roof you choose, flat roofs offer a range of benefits for businesses and commercial building owners. For example, flat roofs are often less expensive to install and maintain on commercial buildings than pitched roofs. Commercial surfaces are also more lightweight than their counterparts and have reflective properties that prevent sunlight from harming the roof. Additionally, commercial roofs’ flatness allows contractors to perform maintenance safely and efficiently without worrying about slipping off the roof or other safety hazards. Below, we’ll run through a few benefits of scheduling professional commercial roof maintenance from a contractor like Seal Roofing:
Prolonged Service Lifespan
With hot summers and harsh winters in Philadelphia, bi-annual scheduling inspection will help professional contractors catch any minor issues before it becomes a costly repair.
Maintains Safety and Ongoing Operations
We know how busy you and your employees are at your commercial property. But you are never too busy to ensure protection overhead is reliable. Scheduling professional maintenance and inspection ensures you will never have to delay or halt ongoing productivity within your building.
Save Money and Time
With a commercial property, you should always be planning long-term. With so many things to be responsible for, scheduling inspection and roof maintenance must be near the top of your list. Consistent inspection ensures a premature roof replacement won’t be necessary, which would cost your business big time while straining productivity.
Types of Commercial Roofs
There are certain situations where commercial roof maintenance is out of the question, and you need an entirely new surface for your property. If your commercial building needs a new roof, you may wonder which type to get and how to maintain it. Let’s take a quick look at the different types of flat roof construction and their benefits.
- Rubber Roofs: These are usually EPDM or TPO roofs. These roofs are single-ply membranes that reflect UV rays extremely well. They are cost-effective and resist weather-related damage.
- Built-Up Roofs: These roofs consist of several layers of roofing tar, gravel, and reinforcing fabrics. The tar and gravel form the layers between the fabrics. The more layers it has, the thicker the roof is. Unlike the rubber roofs mentioned above, built-up roofs have multi-ply membranes.
- Modified Bitumen Roofs: These are a subset of built-up roofs. They use modified bitumen in place of gravel, and also have multiple layers of tar and reinforcing fabrics.
These are the three main commercial flat roof types business owners and property managers can pick between. Each roofing system has its advantages, and your commercial flat roofing contractor can help you choose the one that best suits your building.
Seal Roofing: Choose the Best Commercial Roofing Contractor in Philadelphia
As business owners and property managers know, a roof is one of the most critical parts of your building that requires regular attention and care. Some companies take their surface for granted or don’t have the time to focus on consistent care.
At Seal Roofing, commercial roof maintenance isn’t just on our minds; we strive to keep your system operating effectively and efficiently for years to come. Contact the best roofing contractors in Philadelphia today to maintain your commercial roof.
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About Us
Seal Roofing is a roofing contractor with a reputation for outstanding service, competitive pricing, and offering a full range of roofing services and solutions.
State Licenses:
PA – #PA025662
NJ – #1835498
DE – #2009603095
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Serving the Philadelphia Metro Area
145 Rockledge Ave, Rockledge PA 19046
F: (215) 533-7409