8 Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips

December 19, 2022

8 Commercial Roof Maintenance Tips

Commercial roofing is a big investment, and it’s important to do what you can to protect that investment. They need maintenance just like any other piece of equipment in your business. By following a few simple tips, you can extend the lifespan of your roof and avoid expensive repairs. 

Commercial roofs are an important component of any building and proper maintenance is essential to extending their lifespan and ensuring that they maintain their functionality over time. In this post, we will cover 8 tips for maintaining a commercial roof and ensuring that it stays in good condition for as long as possible. 

1. Regular inspection 

One of the most important things that you can do to ensure that your commercial roof is well-maintained is to regularly inspect it. Inspecting a commercial roof should be done at least once per year to ensure that any potential issues such as damaged shingles or worn-out flashing are identified early on before they become more serious problems. 

During your inspection, you should also make sure that there are no areas where water could collect or pool, as this can lead to moisture build-up and eventually, water damage. Additionally, it’s important to check for any signs of wear or tear in the roof itself, so if you notice any areas where shingles may have been displaced or replaced, take care of this promptly. 

2. Regular cleaning 

It’s also important to regularly clean your commercial roof in order to prevent any buildup of dust, dirt, leaves, and other debris from causing any issues with drainage or structural integrity. If you notice any debris accumulation such as moss or lichen growing on the roof surface then these should be removed promptly using a soft-bristled brush as these can cause damage if left unchecked. 

Additionally, removing debris from gutters helps prevent them from becoming clogged which can cause water damage during heavy rainfall or snowstorms. Finally, one way to help prolong the life of your commercial roof is by implementing routine preventive maintenance tasks such as sealing seams and replacing damaged shingles. 

Related: Ask The Contractor: 9 Things You Never Knew About Your Roof

3. Sealing seams 

Sealing seams help reduce air infiltration while preventing water intrusion which can lead to mold growth and structural deterioration over time. And replacing faulty shingles helps protect against wind uplift while ensuring that the roof looks uniform throughout its lifetime. 

By following these simple tips for maintaining your commercial roof, you can ensure its longevity while significantly reducing the need for costly repairs down the line. Regularly inspecting the structure and performing preventive maintenance will go a long way toward keeping your building’s exterior looking like new while preserving its functionality year after year!

4. Trim tree branches near the roof

Tree branches that are close to your rooftop can cause serious damage if they scrape against it during high winds or heavy rains/storms/hail storms. Trimming back these branches will prevent them from scraping against the rooftop which can save you money on potential repairs later on. 

5. Repair broken shingles immediately

Broken shingles should be replaced immediately because they leave exposed areas open to water infiltration which can lead to rot, decay, or staining on your rooftop membrane. Be sure to replace broken shingles with new ones that match in color and size so that it blends in with the rest of your rooftop membrane seamlessly

Related: Check out our commercial roofing services

6. Check seals & sealants

Pay special attention to seals & sealants because they are prone to drying out over time due to UV exposure and extreme temperature changes throughout the year (elevated summer temps may cause sealants/seals to break down faster). Replenishing sealants will help protect vulnerable points such as joints between two different surfaces like two walls abutting a flat surface like a rooftop membrane).

7. Protect rooftop vent pipes & skylights

Rooftop vent pipes & skylights should be checked regularly for any signs of wear; this includes cracks in plastic covers that could allow water infiltration through small openings which would then lead to more extensive damages further down the line (i.e staining, rot, etc). Regular maintenance ensures that these features continue working properly & do not contribute additional strain on other parts of your rooftop membrane/structure due to its weight/size etc

8. Check for proper drainage

Drainage systems should be checked often (especially after heavy rainfalls) for proper functioning; clogs due to leaves/debris should be cleared away quickly as they might impede runoff which could result in water sitting on top of your rooftop membrane leading to potential damages such as rot, decay, etc. The drainage system must also have an adequate slope towards drains so that water flows quickly off without pooling anywhere on top of your rooftops membrane

Caulk around chimneys, vents, skylights, etc should be checked often for any gaps /cracks as these might allow moisture infiltration into small crevices which could lead to rotting wood, decay, etc.

This same attention must also go into inspecting flashing around protrusions from rooftops – air conditioning units, exhaust fans, etc – since even small gaps here could potentially allow large amounts of moisture into underlying structures leading to further problems down the line

Maintaining a commercial roof is essential for keeping the building structurally sound and in good condition. Regular roof maintenance can help extend the life of your roof and reduce costly repairs. 

TSP Contracting offers top-notch commercial roof maintenance services in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC! 

Contact us to discuss your project or feel free to request your FREE quote now!