There’s no doubt that your commercial roof is a big investment for your property. You want to do everything possible to extend the longevity of your roof so you can avoid premature replacement and unexpected repairs. Below, we’ll provide you with some of our best tips for prolonging the lifespan of your commercial building’s roof.
Get Routine Inspections
A great way to extend the longevity of your commercial roof is to schedule regular inspections. These inspections consider all the different components of your commercial roofing system. We’ll inform you of any problems with your system so they can be repaired before they become worse.
We highly recommend scheduling a routine inspection at least once per year. Some building owners schedule two inspections. This includes one in the spring and one in the fall. If any major storms go through your area, you may also want to consider scheduling a post-storm inspection to catch any damage that occurred. Keep in mind these inspections are usually necessary to maintain the warranty coverage on your roofing materials.
Regularly Clean Your Roof
Another effective way to prolong the life of your commercial roof is to clean it regularly. This means removing any debris like leaves or branches that fall onto the roof. This will help to prevent any clogging in your drainage system as well.
Additionally, if you notice mold, mildew, or even algae developing on your roof, it needs to be cleaned by one of our professionals promptly. We use a specialized solution that is tough on mold, removing and preventing further microbial growth without damaging the actual roofing materials.
If you have flat roofing material, such as TPO or modified bitumen, you’ll need to schedule routine roof cleanings. These should be done about every six months to a year. We highly recommend having our professionals do the cleaning so the appropriate chemicals are used. Using non-compatible cleaning products can damage your commercial roof and shorten its overall lifespan.
Clean Gutters Routinely
Because many commercial roofs are flat, it’s important to keep up with routine gutter cleanings. Poor drainage can lead to issues like standing water and deteriorate the integrity of your roofing material. If your commercial building is located near trees or tall landscaping, consider more frequent gutter cleanings to deal with inevitable leaves and debris.
Fix Problems Promptly
Over the entire lifespan of your roof, it’s typical to experience issues from time to time. One thing to keep in mind is you want to repair these issues as promptly as possible. You never want to ignore them, as they’ll just lead to more damage that’s ultimately going to be more expensive to fix.
Use Roof Walkways
If you regularly have employees or workers walking around on your roof, it’s important to protect those sensitive areas that see a lot of traffic. Using roof walkways, like walk pads, is a great way to help protect the underlying roofing material from physical damage. These pads are typically available in a variety of different styles and colors so you can effectively match the perfect one for your commercial roof.
Use Cooling Roofing Materials and Coatings
An easy way to extend the longevity of your new roof is to ensure you get one that has cooling or energy-efficient roofing attributes. Materials like shingles can come in options that are more UV-resistant and less likely to absorb heat. When your roofing material absorbs less heat throughout the hot summer day, it doesn’t experience as much thermal cracking.
Be Mindful With Rooftop Equipment Installation
It’s common for businesses in commercial applications to install equipment like HVAC systems, satellites, and even solar systems on top of the roof. When you have these items installed, you should be very specific with the installer about how they’ll be attaching the equipment to your roof.
Ideally, you’ll want them to use non-penetrating mounts that don’t affect the integrity of your existing roofing material. If that’s not an option, it’s best to ensure they’re adequately sealing up any penetrations they make in your roof to prevent unfortunate leaks.
Do Monthly Quick Checks
A simple tactic to implement that makes a world of difference in the overall lifespan of your commercial roof is monthly checks. These quick inspections will help detect any problems so you can get repair services as quickly as possible. Check for debris buildup, pooling water, missing flashing, sagging areas, discoloration, or anything else that looks out of the norm.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
One factor that can accelerate the deterioration of your commercial roof is poor ventilation. If your ceiling space doesn’t have ventilation, it can get extremely hot during the summertime. The heat in the ceiling space will also be very humid, which can lead to toxic mold and mildew growth.
This high temperature will start to deteriorate the roofing materials from their underside. This is most prominent with shingles, as you’ll see a curling at the bottom of the shingle when there is inadequate ventilation in your building’s ceiling space.
Choose a Long-Lasting Roofing Option
One factor that will affect the longevity of your roof is the type of roofing material you choose for installation. Choosing materials with a longer lifespan may cost more upfront but can save you over the long term. Metal is a very popular commercial roofing material because it can last anywhere between 40 and 70 years, depending on the specific type of metal you choose.
Metal works for both low-slope and steep-slope buildings. If you have a higher-end building, you may want to consider going with slate or clay tile that can last anywhere between 50 and 100 years or more. Modified bitumen and TPO roofing usually last about 30 years. Green roofs are an eco-friendly option that can last about 40 to 50 years or more with proper care and upkeep.
Install Smart Roofing Technology
One innovative way to prolong the lifespan of your commercial roof is to implement smart roof technology. Today, you can install moisture sensors that will help detect any leaks coming in from your roof as soon as they happen.
This can allow you to respond quickly to repair the issue before it creates a large amount of damage. Using drones to do routine flyover inspections is a great way to catch problems with a roof that you may not be able to access safely without a ladder.
Another great option is smart drainage system sensors. These are great for preventing ponding that could lead to water damage and other structural integrity issues. You simply install these electronic sensors at key points of your roof drainage system, like on your downspouts or gutters. These monitors will track water flow and alert you if there is a sign of a clog.
Reliable Commercial Roofing Inspection Service
KPost Company offers reliable commercial roofing inspection services for businesses in the Dallas, TX area. We can also help with all your commercial roofing installation, repair, and replacement needs. Contact KPost Company today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our highly experienced roofing professionals in Dallas.
