Five Commercial Roofing Maintenance Tips

T Jeff Petrucci, Founder, and President of Bloomfield

Construction. I am publishing this article on LinkedIn to better inform my

network on how to extend the lifetime of their commercial roof systems and

maintain the value for as long as possible. These tips are as follows:

1. KEEP IT CLEAN

This is one of the easiest proactive measures you can take in roof

maintenance. The surface of your roof as well as gutters, downspouts, and

drains should be cleaned at least twice a year. If your building is

surrounded by trees or a windy storm has passed through, additional

cleaning might be needed. Remove debris, sticks, leaves, and rocks. Loose

materials can cause water backups, retain moisture, and deteriorate roofing

more quickly. Throughout the winter months, be sure surfaces are free of

snow and ice dams. This unnecessary weight can cause sagging or

cracking and lessen the strength of your roof.

2. DO REGULAR INSPECTIONS

Every six months spend some quality time inspecting the underside

and exterior of your roof. Check for loose materials, sagging, cracking and

worn out areas that could cause future issues. Within interior areas, look for

potential leaks. These are often indicated with water spots that are black or

yellow – ceiling tiles show these signs very clearly. While this inspection

can be done by a building manager or owner, some businesses invest in

having a local contractor complete a full, annual inspection. This allows the

contractor to quickly identify problem areas and repair them before they

become more severe and costly to fix down the road.

3. REPAIR ROOF DAMAGE EARLY

If ignored, even the smallest damage can cause serious problems

and shorten the life of your industrial roof by years. After your semi-annual

roof cleanings and inspections, determine if any repairs are needed and

take care of them quickly. A roof protects every facet of your building

envelope; small leaks can cause damage to your building’s electrical, air

duct system, structure, and beyond –– costing many thousands of dollars in

later repairs. The moment you see signs of a leak, call a professional.

4. KEEP RECORDS OF ROOFING WORK

Some commercial buildings are managed by multiple people

throughout the roof’s life-span. Recording what repairs were done, when

the project was complete, and which contractor was used can help guide

future roof investments. This documentation can also include equipment

installation information, warranties, and photographs. Even if a single

building owner handles all roof repairs, recording specific details can help

to make more informed decisions for the future of the roof’s care.

5. INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS

Hiring a licensed, insured experienced commercial roofing contractor

will help ensure your roof stays in great shape. Skilled roofers use

advanced techniques and technology, such as infrared thermal imaging, to

thoroughly evaluate and repair roof damage. This makes sure nothing gets

missed and it helps eliminate the guesswork so that roof repairs are

completed properly the first time.

If you currently have any ongoing roofing issues or roof replacement

projects coming up, I would love to connect and learn more about

your roof systems and what their specific needs or issues are. Give

us a call at (248) 289-8401 and we will be more than happy to assist

you with any needs or questions you may have.

The Roofing Guy,

Jeff Petrucci

Owner

Bloomfield Construction

(248) 289-8401