What to include in a commercial roof maintenance plan

Roofs are susceptible to carious types of damage, which can be life-threatening if not addressed in time. An effective commercial roof maintenance plan will ensure that your building staying in optimal shape and that you are aware of any potential hazards early on. This article will explore the critical steps of an effective roof maintenance plan, how often to conduct maintenance, and what to look for to keep your commercial roof in excellent condition.

What steps must be included in a commercial roof maintenance plan?

The NRCA recommends building managers inspect their roof systems at least twice per year, preferably in the spring and fall. They also recommend to do this after any major weather event, such as a large storm, hurricane, or earthquake.
Roof repair services may offer routine inspections and typically handle various commercial roof types and repairs. Once you find a provider you like, plan on scheduling recurring bi-annual roof inspections.

Year round, keep the following in mind to extend the life of your roof:
1. Limit the load applied to the roof. Determine what your roof can withstand, and ensure not to surpass it. Keep your roofs load limit top of mind if you've installed solar panels.
2. Keep dirt, debris, and flora from accumulating on the roof. During the winter months, be sure to remove accumulated snow promptly.
3. Regularly unclog gutters and drains and prune nearby trees to limit potential debris.
4. Remove standing water in a timely manner. While pools of water are bad news for any type of roof, metal roofs are especially susceptible to standing water.

*Standing water

What to look for during commercial roof inspections:

Before conducting an inspection from the roof, ensure the roof can safely hold weight and that proper safety equipment is in place.

It is vital to address any weather damage or maintenance needs as they arrive. Ignoring problems allows them to get worse, risking the need for a full roof replacement instead of a smaller repair. The longer commercial roof problems are ignored, the more likely they are to become life-threatening.

When conducting a commercial roof inspection, be on the lookout for the following, which can lead to greater problems down the line if not addressed promptly.

Be on the look out for:

Rips in the roof membrane, which must be repaired or replaced
Roofing screws in need of replacement due to cracks or corrosion
Missing or loose roofing fasteners, which must be replaced or tightened
Blistering and membrane shrinkage, which must be replaced
Leaks, which must be investigated by a professional
Accumulated debris, which must be removed
Clogged gutters or drain pipes, which must be cleared to ensure free draining
Defective sealant in gutter joints, which must be repaired
Loose bolts in gutters, which must investigated and tightened
Loose ridge or other flashings

Missing foam fillers, which must be replaced
Staining could indicate corrosion, leaks, or other water damage and requires professional advice
Standing water, which must be thoroughly investigated by a professional
Discolored areas of surface coating, which must be inspected and repaired
Discoloration around fume extract ducts, which must be re-coated
Missing or faded color caps from fasteners, which must be replaced
Evidence of nests or other animal interference, which must be addressed and removed
Visible sealants require professional advice

What extra steps should be taken if a commercial building has solar panels installed?

Keeping up with standard roof maintenance is vital for all commercial buildings. However, structures with solar panels installed need to keep a few extra considerations in mind when mapping out their maintenance plan. For example, solar panels will not produce as much energy when dirty, so ensuring the roof remains clean is especially important with solar panels.

Solar panels are very heavy, and while some roofs are designed with the weight of solar panels in mind, others have been retrofitted with panels after the fact. Overloading a roof with solar panels may decrease the lifespan of the roof. As a result, it’s critical to limit the load applied to your roof if solar panels are installed.

How to reduce the need for regular repairs

The best roof maintenance plan is preventative. Proper commercial roof installation can prevent the onset of common problems and minimize the severity of issues that arise. One of our main tips? Leverage high-quality plates, fasteners, and seam clips to ensure roof longevity.

Follow proper installation procedures

Improper roof installation can lead to many problems. Strong winds can lift roof materials, damaging roof seams and membranes. Always follow the provided installation instructions to ensure all materials are safely in place.

Prevent rust & corrosion

Rust and corrosion can cause severe damage to structures of all kinds. However, they can be particularly harmful to roofs. Always leverage weather-resistant fasteners and washers when applicable, and be sure to mitigate hydrogen-assisted stress corrosion cracking by avoiding common risk factors. What’s more, be conscientious of the environmental demands the roof will face, as some steels are better suited for wet or coastal climates than others.

Explore additional corrosion prevention methods for commercial buildings.

Make thoughtful replacements

When replacing metal roof screws, don’t reinstall the same fastener previously in place, as this can lead to a dangerously loose connection. Instead, you need to select a screw one size wider than what was previously used.

Our #17 and #14 screws are designed for strip-out repairs in highly corrosive environments, perfect for replacing worn or damaged roof fasteners.

Use high-quality parts

SFS offers a wide variety of products, including low slope plates, stainless steel fasteners for longevity, and standing seam clips depending on the replacement parts required. Contact SFS with questions about roofing fasteners to make sure your project is constructed (or fixed) with quality and secure screws.