7 Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips Every Business Owner Needs to Know

Your business’s roof won’t always look spanking new or shiny, but there are steps you can take to make it last longer. Check out these roof maintenance tips.

There are more than 30.2 million small businesses in the United States. While those businesses are one of the biggest parts of the nation’s economy, they face a very unique challenge: having to maintain their own buildings without the support of large corporations.

Though many building maintenance tasks are simple and easy to incorporate into a regular routine, commercial roof maintenance isn’t.

If you’re not sure where to start, it’s easy to end up doing damage to your roof. Here are a few key roof maintenance tips to help you keep your building in great condition, year-round.

1. Look for Leaks Often

As a business owner, you want to keep your building safe and secure at all times. Unfortunately, leaks and water damage can put your entire building at risk.

When left unrepaired, those leaks can damage the structure, cause mold and mildew growth in your walls, and even damage your equipment.

Get in the habit of looking for leaks often. If you have access to your roof, look for peeling or damaged roofing materials that might let water inside. Check the ceilings and walls for discoloration and keep an eye on the humidity levels in the upper floors of your building.

If you notice anything that seems off or think the air is more humid than it should be, call your roofer as soon as possible.

2. Look for Leaks Often

The best way to make your commercial roof last is to make sure water and moisture can drain off of the roof easily. Take the time to check your gutters and drainage areas for buildup every month.

Even small amounts of leaves and plant matter can clog those drainage areas. When they’re clogged, water will sit on your roof and soak into the roofing materials.

If you can and do feel comfortable doing the job on your own, clean out the gutters at least once a season or anytime you see buildup. If you’re not comfortable working on a ladder or don’t have time to handle the task on your own, contact your commercial roof maintenance technician.

They’ll be able to remove the buildup and inspect your gutters to make sure they’re working properly.

3. Schedule Regular Roof Inspections

Sometimes, damage and leaks can be almost impossible to spot unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. The best thing you can do is schedule regular roof inspections with your trusted commercial roofer.

According to the team at TEMA Roofing Services, these inspections can dramatically increase the lifespan of your roof. Your technician will be able to spot minor issues before they have a chance to become major problems and threaten the integrity of your building.

As a general rule, try to schedule inspections twice a year: once in the spring and again before winter. This way, your roof will be ready to handle the weather changes easily.

4. Never Pressure Wash the Surface

Getting rid of dirt may seem like one of the key steps in maintaining a commercial roof. It can be, but you need to do it the right way.

When in doubt, be gentle. Avoid using a pressure washer to get rid of dirt and algae that are growing on the materials.

The high-pressure spray can often damage your commercial roof in a matter of minutes. Once it does, the water that you’re using to clean the roof will get into the roofing underlayment. This traps water against the support structure and increases the risk of mold growth, pest infestations, and extensive structural damage.

Instead, work with a professional to clean the roof or use a designated commercial roof cleaning solution to gently lift away the stains.

5. Perform Visual Inspections After Every Severe Storm

Unfortunately, severe storms can damage even the most well-maintained commercial roof systems. The sooner you spot that damage, the better off your building will be.

After every severe storm, walk around the exterior of your building. If you have a pitched roof, look for missing roofing materials along the roofline. If you have a flat roof, make sure the flashing and drainage systems are still intact.

If you can access the roof on your own, take a peek and see how the surface looks up close. Damaged materials should be visible. If you see parts of the roof lifting up, bubbling, or tears in the surface, call your roofer immediately.

6. Stay on Top of Tree Trimming

Low-hanging limbs can damage any roof no matter how large or small your building is. Luckily, it’s one of the easiest issues to deal with.

Schedule bi-annual appointments with an experienced tree trimming company and let them prune and trim the trees on your property. They’ll be able to identify possible problem branches and trim them back to protect your roof and the rest of your property.

Even better, they’ll do it in such a way that your trees will continue to grow and thrive for years.

7. Never Handle Repairs on Your Own

Though some roof repairs and commercial roof maintenance tasks may seem simple, they’re tougher than they look. Instead of trying to handle repairs on your own, it’s best to hire a professional every time.

Not only will they make sure the job gets done right, but they’ll also keep your roof’s warranty intact. This can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Keep These Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips in Mind

If you’re looking for ways to keep your building in good shape for years to come, follow these roof maintenance tips every year. When you do, you’ll be able to keep your commercial roof in good condition no matter what the weather throws its way.

Just remember to leave the serious repairs and maintenance tasks to an experienced professional.

Looking for more tips and tricks to help you keep your business running smoothly? Check out our latest posts for more guidance.