Seven Ways to Maintain the Health of a Commercial Roof and Preserve Its Value

A roof plays a critical role in protecting the overall state of a commercial building. Regular roof maintenance will help to reduce potential problems that can cause costly damage to your building. Fortunately, there are some straightforward things that building owners and property managers can do to increase the lifespan of a commercial roof and maintain the value of a structure.

1. Fix Leaks Immediately

Ongoing leaks can lead to the need to replace an entire roof. A variety of other, expensive issues can arise from unforeseen building damage caused by leaks. If it’s leaking, get it fixed right away. Leaks have a tendency to evolve into serious problems that could have otherwise been avoided.

2. Get a Roof Inspected Bi-Annually

A simple roof inspection by a trained professional, twice each year, can go a long way. Have your roof checked for hidden leaks, cracks, or vulnerable spots that can develop into larger problems. It’s this type of preventative maintenance that makes all the difference in prolonging the lifespan of a roof.

3. Avoid Walking on the Roof

It’s best to avoid walking on a roof entirely unless you absolutely must. Placing the weight of a person on a roof with vulnerabilities, whether visible or not, can be dangerous. Leave this to a trained professional with experience in traversing roof structures.

4. Inspect the Roof After Storms

Heavy wind, dust, rain, or snow can expose roof vulnerabilities and lead to serious, costly damage. If your building is located in an environment with extreme weather, such as the mountains or desert, an inspection following a storm can save tons of money and reduce the stresses caused by major structural issues that could have otherwise been prevented.

5. Keep the Roof Clean

This is something that is often overlooked. A basic cleaning form a trained professional can remove build up of debris that could lead to clogged drains or even mold. Annual cleanings and equipment checks can go a long way in maintaining the health of your roof.

6. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches

If you have trees around your building that overhang above the roof, they are likely dropping branches, leaves and debris that may build up over time. This can lead to unexpected issues with your roof and building, even causing algae or mold to grow in certain climates. Keeping nearby trees trimmed can prevent these issues and save a lot of time and money down the road.

7. Inspect Roof Equipment for Proper Functionality

Wiring, air conditioning systems and vents are all considered equipment in this context and should be inspected twice a year to ensure proper functionality. This is yet another example of preventative maintenance that can keep a building safe while maintaining the structural integrity of its roof.

While these tips may seem like common sense to some, they are often overlooked given our busy, fast-paced lives. If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned issues or simply have concerns about your commercial roof, feel free to get in touch with VRS to schedule a roof inspection. A trained roofing professional is available to help and advise to address your concerns.

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Important Tips for Maintaining a Quality Residential Roof

1. Homebuyer’s beware. A great time to start with any roof assessment is before your closing date. Getting a professional roof inspection before that future home is officially yours will save you a lot of time and costly repairs down the road, which can also be a plus if and when you decide to sell your new home.

2. Trim troublesome trees. When admiring your home and surrounding landscape, it’s important not to overlook leaning branches seeking companionship with your roof as they can scratch and gouge your roof materials. To prevent damaging or puncturing your shingles, simply trim back and remove any branches getting too close to your roof.

3. Clean the leaves and other debris. In addition to bothersome branches, leaves and other elements can clog your gutter system and cause water to backup into the attic, living areas or behind the fascia boards. To ensure your drainage system is free flowing, it’s recommended that you clean your roof at least twice per year. Also, be on the lookout for sagging gutters or damaged drain components and repair or replace as needed.

4. Ensure the roof is built to breathe. Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can cause sheathing and rafting to rot, roof materials to buckle and insulation to lose effectiveness. This will cause your overall roofing system to be ineffective.  

5. Include insulation. The best way to achieve appropriate ventilation and good airflow is through proper insulation. To protect a house from heat gain or loss, it’s ideal to include a gap-free layer of insulation on the attic floor and a vapor retarder under the insulation next to the ceiling to stop moisture from rising into the attic. Having open, vented spaces that allow air to pass freely with at least one inch between the insulation and roof sheathing is also ideal.

6. Check for attic aftermath. In addition to having a well insulated attic, it’s a good idea to check for water stains and weak shingles after a heavy storm.

7. Safeguard against streaking. Make sure to pay close attention to the color of your roof. Roof areas, generally the northern part, exposed to shade during long periods of time in humidity will eventually become streaked with mold, algae or even fungus. And if left unchecked, will eventually deteriorate the roofing material shortening the life of the roof, which could lead to leaks and other signs of trouble.

To cut the mold situation completely, it’s a great idea to install zinc strips along the ridge of the roof. They are precision engineered to provide environmentally safe (EPA approved), long-term (average home 20 years) roof protection from fungus, moss, mildew or algae attack.

8. Check for signs of shingle damage. Being exposed to everyday wear and tear from various elements can cause shingles to become dilapidated and get torn off, making a roof structure and interior space vulnerable to water seepage and rot. Thus, it’s highly advisable for homeowners to examine roof coverings each year to ensure their integrity.

9. DIY roof repairers. Those bold enough to attempt roof repairs themselves need to bear in mind that it’s dangerous up there. It’s advisable to stay on a firmly braced ladder equipped with rubber safety feet when possible. If you do decide to walk on the roof, it’s best to wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping.

10. Quality roofing quotes. When repairs go beyond a DIY project, you should make sure to do some homework before calling in the cavalry. It’s advisable to get at least two quotes so you can determine the best combination of quality and price. Think long-term and not cheap when choosing a roofing company and it’ll save you a lot of repair costs down the road. 

Source: Great Day Improvements

Introducing VRS Roof Tips

As roofing professionals with over 20 years of experience in the industry, we’ve seen it all. A common factor we’ve experienced time and again is the knowledge gap between our customers and their understanding of how to address concerns or questions with regards to their commercial or residential property and its roof.

With the launch of our Roof Tips section on our website, we aim to offer insights for homeowners, property managers, real estate developers, HOAs, and communities around Southern California in the form of a trusted resource for all things roofing.

Visit our website to benefit from our experience and learn from the roofing knowledge we share, as it’s our goal to inform consumers and partners by empowering people with tips and resources in order to build confidence in roofing contractors and the VRS Team.