6 Easy Maintenance Tips to Extend Your Commercial Roof’s Life

A roof is a critical structure of a commercial building. It is one of the most expensive components of a building and provides protection from the elements and stability to the structure. In many cases, it offers striking curb appeal and ensures the strength of the overall building. However, it is exposed to environmental and man-made elements daily that can compromise the integrity of your roof over time if not regularly addressed. A typical roof faces stress elements such as harsh UV rays, heavy rains, wind, hail, leaves, trees, roof attachments, and human traffic. Elements like UV and storms may impact its integrity over time. To avoid premature roof failures, it is important to have a proper commercial roof maintenance plan.

Remember, timely maintenance is vital in identifying and addressing issues before they escalate.

Want to know more? Let’s discuss the top 6 Commercial Roof Maintenance tips/steps to extend your roof’s life.

Top Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips

Here are some effective roof maintenance tips that improve the quality and appearance of your commercial roof:

1) Don’t Overlook Leaky Roofs

Is your roof leaking, but fixing it isn’t your priority yet? Well, this should never happen!

As soon as you notice water seeping through your roof, you should identify the exact location of the leak and fix it. You know the problem will not go away, and the roof will not heal itself. You risk damaging the roof system and facing expensive repairs down the road, not to mention you have equipment, inventory, and/or tenants that do not need to get wet. Otherwise, your precious equipment and electronics will get damaged, and structural damage may occur to the building.

So, be proactive and get help from the roof repair crew to resolve all leaks before they become bigger problems that may jeopardize the safety of your building and its inhabitants.

2)   Keep the Roof Clean

Keeping the roof clean is one of the most straightforward yet important commercial roof maintenance tips. It prevents the growth of moss and algae and improves the overall efficiency of the building’s HVAC system. Follow these given cleaning tips:

• Use a soft brush to remove leaves, twigs, and rocks from the roof.
• If there are stains or you detect the presence of moss, your best bet will be to use chlorine bleach with a mix of other gentle chemicals.

You should clean the roof every six months or right after a natural disaster to prevent debris buildup and ensure the roof remains in optimal condition.

3)   Unclog All Gutters and Roof Drains

Clogged gutters or roof drains can be your worst nightmare as they threaten the structural integrity of the commercial roof. Roof drains pose a risk as if a drain clogs, the water can accumulate and become a structural failure concern if not attended to quickly. Clogged gutters can rot the fascia boards, and if unattended for long, they can make it easier for water to get into the building, damaging windows, ceilings, and even the expensive woodwork.

A must-follow commercial roof maintenance tip is to unclog the roof gutters regularly. Most commercial insurance policies do not allow employees to work at heights above 6’, so most won’t clean out their gutters. That is why you hire a professional company to come and do it; we are appropriately covered and trained. Use a gutter scoop to collect all the debris by hand, or flush everything down with a high-pressure hose.

4)   Limit Load On the Roof

The commercial roof is designed to be durable and sturdy, but it also has limitations, especially regarding the weight it can carry.

Therefore, never use roofing for storage and keep debris or other heavy objects off the roof’s top. Also, don’t walk on the roof if the roof is seriously damaged. You may further damage the membrane, leading to insulation tears and leaks. However, if there’s an issue that you need to check or fix, it’s better to call professional help.They are aware of the proper techniques and safety measures to navigate the roof without causing any damage.

5) Prune Surrounding Trees

During a strong windstorm, your roof may be damaged as surrounding trees and branches fall on it, but there’s nothing to worry about.

Another commercial roof maintenance tip is to prune nearby trees. Use a ladder to reach those trees and plants; measure a 45-degree angle from the branch base and cut from that angle.

If trees are in precarious positions, contact a professional and let them handle the pruning as they can do it while preventing any accidents or damage to the property.

6)   Check Roof-Mounted Equipment

This should go without saying: Check all roof-mounted equipment. For instance, if you have installed ceiling fans, air conditioning units, vents, or gas and electrical lines, get them inspected regularly.

Make sure that all the wiring and connections are secure. Even a small issue can pose risks like electrical fires, gas leaks, or other hazards that could endanger everyone’s lives in the building.

Benefits of Commercial Roof Maintenance

The following are some exciting benefits that you can enjoy by tending to regular commercial roof maintenance:

Lasts Longer

The most obvious benefit of commercial roof maintenance is that it makes your roof last longer. When you timely identify and address potential issues like leaks and debris accumulation, you minimize damage to the roof. This eliminates the need for expensive roof replacement or repairs.

Use Less Energy

Electricity prices in the country are soaring high! As of August 2024, the average business electric rate in the United States is 13.10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Therefore, the best thing you can do is save money on energy bills, and commercial roof maintenance helps you do that.

It ensures that insulation and sealing are top-notch, preventing any temperature imbalance. Your HVAC system also won’t have to work hard to maintain the desired temperatures, reducing energy consumption and overall bills.

Enhance the Aesthetic Appeal of the Building

Commercial roof maintenance also boosts the building’s aesthetic appeal. It involves checking the roof for any visible damage, removing moss growth and damaged shingles, and making other timely repairs.

This gives your commercial building a polished and well-maintained appearance, enhancing its overall visual appeal and leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

Conclusion

All the above-mentioned commercial roof maintenance tips must be followed to safeguard the roof structure and ensure the well-being of the people inside. However, if you need a professional roof maintenance crew, Commonwealth Roofing Corp. would love to be your roofer of choice. We understand the struggles that come with faulty roofs, and our certified team quickly addresses all the issues, from leaks to debris collection.

So, why wait? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take a step toward efficient roof maintenance!