A few years ago, I got a call from the executive director of a community center near our office in Phoenix. It was raining, and there was water dripping onto the desk in his second-floor office. There was water dripping on the basketball court. There was water everywhere!
When we came out to repair the leaks, we discovered what we had already suspected: the roof hadn’t been well maintained. There was leaf litter and debris gathering in the low spots, along with power tools and a 5-gallon bucket left on the roof by a maintenance person that looked like they’d been there an awful long time. All these things contributed to moisture problems, and eventually, cracks and leaks.
On another call recently, we came out to a business where water and debris was falling onto the customers as they considered making expensive purchases. Everything else in the place looked flawless, from the sparkling-clean floors to the perfect paint job on the walls. But the owner forgot to think about the unseen part of the building that was right over their head.
If either of these businesses had arranged for regular annual inspections and maintenance, they wouldn’t have had water problems and big bills for emergency repairs.
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Why commercial roof maintenance is so important
A good roof maintenance plan can extend the life of your roofing system by 10 years or more, simply by identifying small issues before they become big problems. In addition, many top commercial roofing manufacturers require this annual inspection to keep their warranty in effect.
If you’ve worked with roofers in the past and they don’t recommend maintenance, you should reconsider your roofing company.
As I mentioned above, anything left on the roof, like dirt, sand, organic debris, tools, and other objects, allows water to pool in corners and low spots. HVAC malfunctions are another common source of moisture. These issues can cause persistent problems that degrade roofing materials.
Also, I don’t love to say it, but other repair and maintenance contractors might not care much for how they treat your roof, and any minor damage they cause can get worse over time if it isn’t taken care of by a professional. If you have skylights, plumbing, HVAC, or exhaust hood systems on your roof, regular roofing inspections and maintenance is even more important.
Finally, if you have a cool roof, any debris and dirt reduces reflectivity. If the bright white coating of your roof becomes dirty, it will be less effective at keeping the heat away, and you’ll pay more for air conditioning.
What a good roofing company can provide
By inspecting your roof once per year, a good roofing company will clear debris, be able to remedy any minor issues, and give you an idea of how your roof is aging.
A roof inspection should happen at least once every 12 months, and the technicians should perform the following tasks:
- Clear all debris from your roofing system and remove it from the property
- Ensure all roof penetrations are properly sealed; if not, add sealant
- Complete minor repairs using compatible products
- Inspect all roof sections for damage and document issues
- Provide recommendations for major roof repairs, if necessary
This inspection will take care of the most common issues and keep your roofing system in great health for the coming year. Any necessary major repairs would be quoted after the visit and would include photo documentation of the issues encountered.
Cost of commercial roof inspection
An annual inspection and included maintenance should cost between 15 and 25 cents per square foot of roof space. That means the inspection for an average roof of about 15,000 square feet would cost between $2,250 and $3,750 per year.
These costs are less expensive than the cost of water damage and an emergency roof repair, and only around 1 or 2 percent of the cost to replace the roof. You can plan for it by setting aside just a few hundred dollars a month in your operations and maintenance budget.
Working with a great roofing company is so important, because they not only extend the life of your roof and keep your warranty intact, but also give you time to understand the expected lifespan of your roof. On top of that, a great roofer can recommend the latest and best products on the market when it is time for a replacement. Their recommendations can give you enough time to adequately budget for the future.
Final thoughts
Skipping roof maintenance is like allowing all the weeds and trees on your property to grow out of control. You’ll eventually have to pay someone a lot of money to come fix all the problems, and you might end up with a big emergency if a windstorm knocks a tree branch onto your building.
If you’re a building owner, you take care to present your customers with a great place to shop and do business, from maintaining the landscaping to making sure the interior is comfortable and inviting. Just don’t forget about what’s right overhead.
It may be out of sight, but it matters as much as all the other parts of your building.
Annual roofing inspections and maintenance are a vital part of keeping your property safe, clean, and working at its best. Make annual roofing maintenance by a knowledgeable professional part of your annual budget. It’ll save you money in the long run!
Author: Joy Seitz is CEO of American Solar & Roofing.
