Can You Keep Up With Your Commercial Roof?

Commercial property managers are busy folk. You have tenants to tend to, accounts to track, business appointments to keep and, on top of it all, a commercial building and roof to maintain. The last thing you need when you are inundated with phone calls and paperwork is to be inundated with water from a leaky roof. Are you keeping up with your commercial roof these days? Following are a few action tasks to help.

Get To Know Your Commercial Roof

Flat and low-slope commercial roofs aren’t designed for curb appeal. They are designed to withstand the elements, roof penetrations (e.g. HVAC equipment) and expansion and contraction that occurs with temperature changes. Following are the parts of a typical commercial roof:

• Roof membranes include TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin), EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), MB (modified bitumen) and roof coatings.
• Flashings connect two different segments of roofing and/or systems.
• Roof insulation is installed below and/or on top of roof decking.
• Parapets and copings protect roof and wall connections from wind and water.
• Roof penetrations could include HVAC systems, cables, pipes, vents, antennas and more.

Commercial Roof and Building Inspections

There are many reasons besides old age that commercial roofs fail. Simply inspecting your property and roof regularly can help prevent costly repairs or replacement. Have you seen any of these telltale signs of roof problems?

• Water stains on ceiling tiles and/or walls
• Discoloration and/or blistering of interior wall coverings and paint
• Rust or discoloration of roof structural parts
• Mold anywhere in your commercial building
• Missing or clogged up drain domes
• Gaps or cracks at caulking or flashing

Commercial Roof Preventive Maintenance Program

Your commercial roof may not have any mechanical moving parts, but it still needs the same attention that an HVAC system, electrical system and your plumbing requires. Look at it this way: without a comprehensive commercial roof preventive maintenance program in place, you won’t know your roof has been damaged and needs repairs until you see telltale signs of breaches and water damage.

The maintenance program for your commercial roof should include inspection forms, photographs and repair invoices. Schedule preventive commercial roof maintenance at least twice a year. Additionally, call your trusted roofer following any impacts on your roof and following wind-driven storms.

Contact us at Jewett Roofing Company today to learn more about our comprehensive commercial roof preventive maintenance program for St. Louis property managers and owners.