We are inundated with ways to stay young, keep fit, and even eat to extend our lives. Whether it’s an article on the eating and work-out habits of the famous, like this one on Samuel L. Jackson, or entire programs dedicated to our healthy lives, such as Dr. Oz, there is no shortage of ideas, tips and ways we can live longer and healthier. There are plenty of ways we can stay fit and healthy, but often choose not to follow them. The same can be said of our commercial roof and property.

“Just like regular exercise helps a person stay healthy and live longer, regular maintenance to your property also extends its life,” said Steve Little, president of KPOST Company. “However, just as we have a specific lifetime, building materials also have a typical life cycle.”

The Life Cycle of Building Materials

While we would like to think that our buildings and parking lots can last forever, the reality is that even with proper treatment and maintenance, they have a life span. Just like anything else we are responsible for, proper maintenance will extend the life of any building material. At the end of the day, however, there is still a life cycle for building materials. Typically, in our Texas climate, waterproofing and/or sealants that are exposed have a life expectancy of 5-10 years. Specifically:

Roof systems: 10 to 20 years depending upon the system assembly.
Window/wall caulking and sealants: 7-10 years
Wall coatings: 5-7 years
Paving and sidewalk sealants: 5 years

“These numbers represent the manufacturer’s commitment to the materials. However, this assumes that the installation and subsequent maintenance occurs,” said Steve. “Unfortunately, installations that were poorly executed will minimize the timeframes listed.” Roofing material manufactures claim that the key for extending the life of a roofing system is having a quality roofer install the system and having an annual maintenance program. Even a little maintenance on your property and commercial roofing system will go a long way to extend the life of the building materials, minimizing the need to incur capital expenditures with major replacements and positively impact the bottom line. “There are many factors that go into determining the best preventative, ongoing maintenance plan. That is one of the reasons we created a white paper on this subject – to provide building owners and property managers with a free guide to help them make the best decisions for their property,” said Little.