3 Tips For Taking Care of Your Commercial Roof

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial roof damage in Enka, NC.

How Do You Maintain A Commercial Roof?

Most of the time, your building’s roof is likely the last thing on your mind. Between running your business, staying on top of paperwork, watching your bottom line, and taking care of more pressing building maintenance tasks, you just don’t have much time to think about your roof — that is, until a problem arises. A roof leak can be an enormous problem for your building and could cost you thousands in cosmetic and structural repairs, electrical and HVAC work, and water damage mitigation. Many common causes of commercial roof leaks are preventable with routine upkeep. Try these three tips to extend the life of your building’s roof.

1. Schedule Regular Roof Inspections
Plan to conduct a routine roof inspection once every six months. Add the inspections to your schedule like you would any other appointment so you don’t forget them. During the inspections, check your roof and attic area for signs of leaks, standing water, or other damage. You should also inspect any rooftop equipment or other roof features, such as hatches, skylights, solar panels, and HVAC units.

2. Keep Storm Drains and Gutters Clear
If dirt, leaves, and other debris accumulate in your building’s gutters and storm drains, these drainage systems can become clogged and can no longer effectively divert water away from your roof. As a result, the building is likely to develop a roof leak. Water may back up onto your roof or get forced into your building’s air ducts or attic. The weight of water standing in clogged gutters and drains can strain and weaken your roof and can damage your drainage devices.

3. Check Your Roof After Extreme Weather
In addition to regular maintenance, you should also inspect the roof after any severe weather event in Enka, NC, such as ice, snow, or a strong storm. Check carefully for signs of wind damage, hail damage, or other weather-related issues.
Taking the time to perform regular upkeep and staying proactive about damage prevention can significantly reduce your chances of developing a roof leak.