Maintenance & Repairs
commercial roofing
Preventative Maintenance for Commercial Roofs
If a commercial roof is neglected, its service lifecycle will be dramatically reduced, and when (not if) it prematurely fails, it will most likely be at an unanticipated and very inconvenient time.
The good news is that a routine roof maintenance program is inexpensive relative to the value of the overall roofing asset and the contents under the roof. Neglecting this part of your building envelope really is a matter of stepping over dollars to get to pennies. With commercial roofing, an ounce of preventative maintenance can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in future repairs.
Low-sloped roofs, steep-sloped roofs, shingle roofs, metal roofs, single-ply thermoset or thermoplastic roofs, ALL need regular preventative maintenance. It really doesn’t matter what type of roof we are talking about, or the age of the particular roof in question. Manufacturers warranties demand it. Contractor labor warranties demand it. And common sense demands it.
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends performing preventative roof maintenance on your commercial roof a minimum of two times per year.
That said, different roofs require different intervals of inspection and attention to different details to optimize their performance and your ROI. Older roofs generally require more attention than newer ones. Each type of roofing system has unique vulnerabilities. Metal roof maintenance is very different from Built-Up-Roof or Modified Bitumen Roof maintenance, which differs significantly from TPO roof maintenance. The proper care and upkeep of each of these roof systems requires significantly different knowledge sets. If someone has sold you a one-size-fits-all maintenance program, you could probably do better.
Regardless of whether or not we installed your roof or what type of roof it is, if you are in our service area and you believe you could benefit from a professional, budget-friendly roof maintenance program with an experienced, capable and conscientious roofing contractor, contact us (hit button or call us) and we will work with you to develop an appropriate solution for your building and your situation.
WHAT DOES AN EDGE COMMERCIAL ROOF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM LOOK LIKE?
Our Preventative Roof Maintenance Programs are designed to identify and document roof defects and deficiencies while they are still in the early stages of development, and while they are still easily addressed. Not only will this save you money in repairs over the life of your roof, it will optimize your roofs performance over time and it will document your diligence and protect you with respect to any long-term warranty stipulations or insurance claims.
After performing an extensive initial roof survey to “learn the roof” and establish baselines, our trained technicians will follow a rigorous inspection protocol using an itemized checklist developed specifically for your roof.
NOTE: If the roof has a history of leaking, it is advisable to perform an Infrared Moisture Survey to identify any punctures or cracks that are invisible to the naked eye, and to locate any moisture that might be trapped in the insulation layers. Moisture contamination in a roof should always be remediated as quickly as possible to avoid further damage to other roofing components and to avoid potential mold and mildew problems. For more detail on using Infrared Thermography to locate subsurface roof moisture, click the link above.
If you have a leak
Edge Roofing, LLC will take immediate action to take care of the leak in a timely manner, while minimizing disruption to your operations and personnel. We will inspect your roof system and provide you with a written report detailing existing and potential leak sources and vulnerabilities and we will provide you with a written quote for a cost-effective repair. If you need to file an insurance claim, we can also help you with documentation, reporting and negotiating the claim process.
It is also very important to understand that if your low-sloped membrane-type roof develops a leak, it is not simply a matter of plugging up the hole and stopping the encroachment. If someone has done this to your roof, PLEASE call us.
The concern is that standard commercial membrane-type roofs are comprised of layers. The top layer is a waterproof membrane. The middle layer contains insulation and other intermediate materials which are not waterproof. The bottom layer, called “decking”, (usually metal or wood or cement) supports the upper materials and is not waterproof either.
Once water leaks through the upper waterproof layer, it flows into the middle insulation layer which acts like a sponge. This sponge absorbs as much water as it can hold and then dumps the rest into the building.
If the hole in the membrane is repaired, water will stop flowing into the roof into the building. BUT THIS ONLY SOLVES HALF THE PROBLEM. Water is still trapped beneath the membrane, in the roof system, invisible to the naked eye. If this wet insulation is not remediated, it can have serious short and long-term consequences with respect to the roof system’s performance and its structural integrity. And it can also lead to significant mold and mildew problems.
And once this moisture is trapped inside the roof system, the daily cyclical heating and cooling of the roof causes the water to vaporize and expand and migrate, contaminating larger and larger portions of the roof and destroying it from within.
If you suspect you have water trapped in your roof system, click here to download What to do about moisture trapped in your roof.
Storm Damage
If your area has experienced severe weather, it is important to have your roof checked for damage. Wind, hail, flying debris and excessive water can all cause damage to roof system components which while not necessarily resulting in a leak, can dramatically shorten the life of your roof. If you are in our service area and your building (or your home) has been subjected to severe weather, contact us and we will send someone out at no charge to you, to inspect your roof. We will document any damage and give you an estimate for any repairs that might be needed. If you need to file an insurance claim, we can also help you with reporting and help walk you through the claim process.
