Are you concerned about your commercial building? You need to stay open and ready for potential customers and clients, so your building needs to be in top shape. You also want to avoid frequent repairs that will cut into your bottom line. But you might not know where to start with the upkeep of your commercial roof. Luckily for you, we have a commercial roof maintenance checklist to help you keep up with the health and safety of your roof and help prevent expensive repairs.
This checklist will help you knowing where to start and what to look for to keep you from missing small signs of damage. On top of this, keeping a checklist will ensure you look for the same problem areas that a professional roofer would look for. It’s like reaping the benefits of a professional roofing contractor right at your fingertips! Sign up and download our Commercial Roofing Survivor Guide today!
1. Clean Surface Debris
To start with, you don’t want an inspection to miss any damage or problems due to gathered leaves or debris. When a professional commercial roof inspection is performed, the inspector needs to see every inch of your roof surface. Debris, including leaves and branches in drains and corners, must be removed for complete drainage of water. If there is a clear cause of debris, such as a nearby tree dropping leaves, you may want to consider dealing with that cause in the long term by removing tree branches.
If your rooftop has parapets or raised surfaces, you will need to perform debris removal more often than if it were flat. HVAC areas are also likely to catch leaves and trash. You will want to ensure that your commercial roof maintenance checklist includes regular cleaning of the roof surfaces. This routine task will make more detailed maintenance plans much easier.
2. Check the Roof Membrane for Tears
The roof field is the largest roof surface of your building. A commercial roof inspection checklist should include checking the surface for small cracks and less obvious signs of damage. Flat roofs are easier to inspect for cracks in the roofing membrane thanks to the ease of maneuvering.
The roof membrane is a watertight skin and must be well maintained to maximize its lifetime and value. A well-kept roof membrane can last as long as 30 years or more. When damage does appear, call us, and we can repair the membrane and prevent any further damage to your building!
3. Inspect HVAC and Mechanical
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning can all have origins or endpoints on the roof of your building. These points can be more likely to see leaks and structural damage due to the stresses of heat change or vibration from within. A good roof inspection will check struts, fastenings, flashing, and any other points where the HVAC connects to the surface membrane.
Our Ultimate Guide to Commercial Roofing can provide insights into many of these common problem areas on your roof. When you aren’t sure where the vent ends and the roof begins, look to our roofing contractors for knowledge.
4. Secure the Flashing
Roof flashes can be used to direct water from the roof to certain areas. Usually, flashing is a place where roofs meet vertical surfaces like walls, chimneys, and around the edge of the roof. Depending on the edge materials, this might make them less susceptible to water damage. Make sure the flashing is properly sealed to the surfaces of your roof so that all water flows properly to the gutters and drains.
5. Monitor Overall Drainage
An inspector will check any gathering water for obstructions in the area and for blocked drain pipes. Water damage and erosion can be unsightly and costly to fix but should be dealt with quickly. Ponding water can quickly become a health hazard, odors can become unbearable, and water damage can cause further leaks to form. Flat-roof buildings are particularly at risk for water damage since it is more likely for there to be water ponding.
6. Clear Drains of Debris
Gutters and drainage pipes can become clogged, which can cause ponding water. When water doesn’t drain, it can cause damage to develop faster on your roof. Slow-draining lines are also something to monitor closely in case they indicate a clog further down the line. Clogged gutters are a common cause of water damage in commercial buildings, but debris removal is simple to do.
Commercial roofs can be designed around a wide variety of materials. Not all react to standing water in the same way, but it should be quickly dealt with. This water could quickly cause rooftop damage, whether from ice causing cracks or just the weight of the water. Ensuring gutters and drains are clear should be a step on any general roof inspection checklist.
7. Update Safety and Signage
Commercial building owners might not be the only people with roof access. If your rooftop sees frequent use, ensure that safety measures are met in terms of stairs and railings. Stair maintenance should include checking the banisters and railing. The outer rim and parapet walls of your roof plane should have railings that are secure and well-maintained. And thoroughly inspect where these are attached to your roof to ensure no cracks or tears are forming.
Like stairs and railings, safety signage should be part of your inspection checklist. Some signage needs to be regularly updated with building inspections. You might have signage indicating slippery surfaces, electrical boxes, or areas that are generally off-limits to the public. All signage should be marked and visible to rooftop visitors.
Ask Us for Our Help with Your Commercial Roof Maintenance Checklist
A commercial roof is not just something that keeps water out. It keeps you in business. You can’t have customers leaving because of leaks, odors, or unsightly water damage. We can help you stay on top of the smallest damage with our professional inspection services. Our commercial roof maintenance checklist that will ensure every square inch of your roof is up to code.
We want to save you time, money, and sleep by giving you total control and confidence in your rooftop inspections. Don’t fret about potential roof leaks or damage to your commercial building’s flat roofing. If you have any concerns or problems, contact the roofing professionals who know how to ensure a long-lasting and reliable roof is kept over your head.