In Colorado, we are no strangers to severe weather. This year has been a prime example of the destructive forces of mother nature with record breaking amounts of damage from hail. While there is nothing that eliminates the risk of damages, being prepared ahead of time and keeping up with proper maintenance can help decrease the risks and keep the cost of repairs down. For a commercial building, this is even more important. At Interstate Roofing we offer a wide range of commercial roofing services, including maintenance services. If you are a building owner read below about the importance of maintenance service from Facility Executive and contact us today.
ROUTINE INSPECTION & PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
The goal of preventive or proactive maintenance is to sustain and ensure the true service life of the commercial roof through inspections and necessary repairs. Ultimately, inspections should be performed at least twice a year: following severe weather, and as required by the manufacturer’s warranty. Both inspections and maintenance items need to be timed per budget forecasts and should include debris removal. A quality preventive maintenance program must be designed to meet the needs of property owners, facility managers, and building occupants.
All roofs have a limited lifespan and will eventually require replacement, retrofit, repair, or restoration, but developing a preventive maintenance plan can further extend the life of the roof and save money. For an existing roof, a roofing contractor should thoroughly inspect the roof and provide a written report of findings with a photo survey of roof conditions for future reference. Based on those findings, the contractor can develop a roof management program that includes plans for upcoming maintenance, replacement, or repair. During the bi-annual inspections, the contractor should ensure caulking is not open, perimeter attachments such as flashings are tight, holes or tears have been patched, and laps in membrane systems are secure.
Each season brings different weather conditions, which means that each season has its own checklist for inspections. Seasonal inspections are not only a preventive measure, but also a proactive program to have in place. Facility managers should have some familiarity with the roof system and take notes of conditions for each seasonal inspection. This allows facility management to recognize damage and alert the roofing contractor before the problem becomes worse. Following are examples of aspects to check for each season and possible maintenance as a season ends.
Winter. Excessive snow loads can accumulate on a roof during the winter placing the roof and building operations at risk. Deep snow accumulation can lead to a roof collapse and cause serious damage to the building and its contents or occupants. Different types of roofs have different levels of weight that can be handled. For example, a wood deck typically can’t handle as much weight as a concrete deck.
Spring. Spring inspections can serve to identify any issues caused by ice and snow accumulation. Be sure to inspect the membrane, rooftop equipment, drainage areas, and penetrations for any damage sustained during the winter.
Summer. During the summer months, take the time to assess the current state of the roof and complete any maintenance and improvement projects. Be sure to address any leaks that may occur from summer thunderstorms. Small leaks may seem fine during a light rain, but the approaching fall and winter weather conditions can cause major damage to the roof.
Fall. Fall inspections are designed to identify any problems that may have formed during the summer when the roof was exposed to high thermal stress and UV light. Before the winter arrives, be sure to clear the drainage areas of falling leaves.